WASHINGTON - The Peruvian air force's attack on a small plane carrying U.S. missionaries focused attention yesterday on how U.S. intelligence and Peru's military coordinate their fight against narcotics trafficking.

CIA personnel on the U.S. surveillance plane did not attempt to read the registration number on the side of the civilian aircraft before it was shot down by the Peruvian air force Friday because they were afraid it would flee if they got too close, U.S. officials said yesterday.

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