Pubdate: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 Source: Waco Tribune-Herald (TX) Copyright: 2006 Waco-Tribune Herald Contact: http://www.wacotrib.com/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Evo+Morales Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bolivia Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/coca Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) BOLIVIA'S NIGHTMARE There was good reason to be concerned when socialist Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia. Morales described himself as "Washington's nightmare" during his campaign. Morales won an unprecedented majority in an election where he often criticized U.S. foreign policies, especially those that attempted to develop Bolivia's large oil and gas reserves and destroy the South American nation's cocaine trafficking. Perhaps there's not that much to worry about. Morales recently appointed a coca leaf grower as Bolivia's new drug czar. Who knows more about cocaine than someone in the business? That's exactly how many appointments are made in the United States. Morales is a quick study. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake