Pubdate: Sun, 20 Feb 2005
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Observer
Contact:  http://www.observer.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/315
Author: Grace Livingstone
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n255/a11.html?9839
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

COLLUSION BEHIND COCAINE PROFITS

The Big Issue: Drugs And Ethics

Cocaine is not the cause of Colombia's problems. (World, last week). The 
guerrilla war started long before the cocaine trade took off. Poverty and 
inequality, exacerbated by unfair international trade laws, are to blame.

Coffee used to be Colombia's biggest export, but since the rich countries 
destroyed the international coffee pricing agreement in 1989 the coffee 
price has collapsed, causing misery not only in the Colombian countryside 
but across Latin America. Peasants grow coca-leaf because it is the only 
crop from which they can make a living.

Grace Livingstone London N6
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