Morales holds firm on coca cultivation

Hugo Chavez got all the press for his UN speech but buried at the end of the article was a great quote by Boliva's Morales.

Some of the world's poorest countries, such as Bolivia, sought to prove they could stand up to the United States. Bolivian President Evo Morales, a close ally of Chavez, chastised the Bush administration for adding his nation to a list of major drug-producing countries because it permits the cultivation of coca, which is consumed by many Bolivians as tea but is also used to make cocaine.

Holding a coca leaf in his hand, Morales told the General Assembly he would never yield to U.S. pressure to criminalize coca production. "With all respect to the government of the United States, we are not going to change anything. We do not need blackmail or threats," Morales said.

Regular readers know, I've been counting on Morales to lead the world into sensible policy on the coca plant and end the insane eradication programs that destroy the earth along with the plant. I'm glad he's holding his ground on this. It's good to see at least one world leader keep his campaign promises to the people.