Pubdate: Tues, 24 Apr 2001 Source: BBC News (UK Web) Copyright: 2001 BBC Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/ Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558 BOLIVIA PLEDGES COCA-ERADICATION BY 2002 The Bolivian President, Hugo Banzer, has pledged to eradicate all significant amounts of coca crops in his country by the end of the year. Mr Banzer, who had talks in Washington with the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, thanked the United States for financial support to develop alternative crops. However he also said he will not negotiate with the coca-leaf growers, who have been protesting against the government's eradication programme saying it undermines their livelihood. On Monday protestors clashed with police in the capital, La Paz, after their two-week march which began in the central coca-growing region of Chapare. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth