-Caveat Lector- from: http://www.narconews.com/pressbriefing.html Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.narconews.com/pressbriefing.html">Narco News: Reporting on the Events that Shake �</A> ----- The Narco News Bulletin "The Name of Our Country is Am�rica" -- Sim�n Bol�var Today's Press Briefing October 5, 2000 7:41 p.m. Update Below: Government Claims Deal Set Bolivia Makes Secret Offer to Coca Growers: 400 Sqare Meters Per Family Growers Demand Double, Blockades Rage On State Makes New Ultimatum to Social Forces A Narco News October 4 Commentary Predicted: "Read between the lines of the US and Bolivian government statements. The only way they can end the unrest is to allow peasant families to grow a small amount of coca per family. As US officials micro-manage the situation from afar.. they are finessing the bottom line: coca growing may be decriminalized for small scale producers. In other words, harm reduction in Bolivia. And yet the governments, rather than trumpet such a move as progress, will instead go to all lengths to claim it didn't happen. This, of course, is only one possible outcome of these earthshaking events...." What we predicted on Tuesday became a governmental offer on Wednesday. According to the daily La Razon in La Paz, State negotiators contacted coca-grower leaders by telephone to make the behind the scenes offer. Here is the report from La Razon today, and other fast-breaking news from Bolivia. >From the daily La Razon, La Paz, Bolivia Thursday, October 5, 2000: "Secret" Negotiation Between the Coca Growers and the Government Fails COCHABAMBA (LA RAZ�N).- With the most absolute reserve and via telephone, the Government proposed to the coca growers the eradication of coca crops over 400 square meters (20 by 20 meters) per family, as an option to solve the conflict that has paralyzed Cochabamba for more than three weeks. The proposal was made by state governor Jos� Or�as, by telephone, yesterday morning to coca growers leader Evo Morales, who is in Chapare. The information was known by government sources, union leaders and coca growers. Unofficially, it was known that the congressman and coca growers leader responded that the minimum acceptable crop per family would be half of one cato, that is to say, about 800 square meters of crops per each coca growing family. A peaceful solution to the conflict was made possible if the Government suspends the forced eradication of coca gardens and leaves more than 1,900 hectares intact that have not been destroyed. Morales did not want to speak of the government proposal, but admitted that he received a phone call not just from a government representative, but also from the commander of the Seventh Division of the Army, General Jos� Antonio Gil. The coca growers leader did not offer details of the conversation, but admitted that on the part of both parties there is now more will to come to an agreement and impeded a new confrontation. Morales said that the proposal by his sector of one catu per family would foster a social control by the coca growing peasants themselves and would also be a more effective way to combat against drug trafficking. "Every end of the year this measure would be applied and any family that cultivated more would lose all its production," he said, later adding that it would be the very same coca growers then helping in the fight against drug trafficking. The proposal by the government also avoided that the Coordinating Committee of the social movement escalated their pressure tactics, according to its leaders, in a display "of support for dialogue and in the interests of sol ving the conflict." Morales spoke with representatives of the Coordinating Committee not only about the option of maintaining the blockades, but also to consider the proposal made by Or�as as "serious"... However, at around 8 p.m., in a new phone call to the coca growers leader, the Government rejected the counter-proposal of this sector and continued with its policy of "zero coca." Or�as declared that he had not spoken at any moment with the coca growers leader Evo Morales and said the Government had neither offered any proposal. "Maximum Red Alert" The clock runs against the government. Every day that passes the economy deteriorates more. Other problems are generated by the conflict. The negotiations advance but at a tortoise's pace. A new deadline imposed by the Executive Branch over the explosion of social revolt. The coalition is thinking about adding new tactics to the conflict this morning, but first will expend all effort to find solutions. The government minister, Guillermo Fort�n, explained that the negotiations can not last much longer because producers and consumers cannot continue living under the current situation. And the situation is dramatic. The businessmen shout in Santa Cruz. Hunger strikes are begun. The soldiers are tired. The sleep temporarily in those moments when it rains in Chapare. The markets are almost empty. The transport workers complain. The despair grows. The teachers and coca growers are trapped with the government. Yesterday, President Hugo Banzer met with some of his ministers in the Government Palace to receive information about the negotiations and blockades. This has happened every day. The official spokesman, Manfredo Kempff, said that the President is confident that the negotiations in the high plains region are going well, "but disgracefully the matter in Chapare did not end well. Evo did not concede on the theme of the catos and the Executive Branch can not just be discounted. The government has given all it can give in concessions, but it can not do any more on the Chapare issue." Does this mean that a plan of using force has been put into march? He answered that the Executive Branch can not permit that the country remains blockaded. >From the daily Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, Bolivia Thursday, October 5, 2000: Congress Rejects Martial Law The country worried this dawn over the possibility that Congress would decide to impose a "state of seige" (martial law), a possibility denied vigorously by Vice President Jorge Quiroga. After six hours of energetic speeches, the congress members decided to postpone their deliberations until today. Anything can happen. In the increasingly tense political environment, there surged an expression of fear from the instransigent and charismatic peasant leader, Felipe Quispe, as he temporarily sought refuge in the headquarters of the press corps of La Paz, less than 300 kilometers from the Quemado Palace. The slow dialogue stays alive but hopes of progress are tenuous. In the end, the coca issue continues being key. The government as well as the coca growers are disposed to maintain diametrically opposed positions. The future of the school year continues to be unknown. The government has a test of fire today, after the warning that the teachers strike could today cause the closure of classes in those schools whose teachers don't accept the (government) offer.... Civil War if they Arrest Mallku La Paz; ANF News Agency.- The Union of Peasant Workers of Bolivia threatened to declare civil war if the government orders the detention of its executive secretary, Felipe Huanca Quispe ("El Mallku")... in response to the intention of the Government Minister, who, hours prior... had solicited the suspension of provisional liberty and called for the apprehension of the mentioned leader. Government: Deal set for Bolivia's farmers >From the Financial Times By Paul Keller in Lima, Per� Last Updated: October 5 2000 18:41GMT The Bolivian government said on Thursday it was on the point of striking a deal with angry farmers who have paralysed the country's major towns with road blocks. The widespread protests, which centre on a government clampdown on coca leaf production, have sparked bloody clashes between protesters, who include peasants and teachers, and troops, who have tried to dismantle makeshift barriers that continue to block several crucial roads. So far 10 people have died in the 18-day conflict, which has produced the worst scenes of rioting for many months. "We are in full negotiation with various groups involved in the conflict and it is expected that today (Thursday) we will find a solution which is line with farmers' demands," a government ministry official said in a telephone interview.Many growers of coca the raw material in cocaine may still reject any deal. Large numbers of indigenous farmers survive only by growing coca, a crop that still has traditional uses and has been cultivated in Bolivia for thousands of years. The government estimated that some 180,000 people had been cut off by the protests. President Hugo Banzer's government is determined to press ahead with the US-sponsored eradication of coca plants in the Chapare area in the Bolivian jungle. It expects to have wiped out almost all of the 38,000hectares of illegally grown leaf in the region by the end of the year. "The government's policy of coca eradication in Chapare is not negotiable," the minister said. But the government has agreed not to build military barracks in the region a major source of friction with the farmers. More Reports As They Come In Recent Press Briefings Generals Don't Want to Fight Bolivian People (Tuesday-Wednesday Briefings) Zero Hour in Bolivia (Sunday-Monday Briefings) Bolivia, US, "Narco-tize" the Conflict (Friday-Saturday Briefings) Thursday's Bolivia Press Briefing (Important Background Info) September 22-27 Press Briefing: Per� Analysis September 21 Press Briefing on the Closing of the Geopolitical Drug Observatory Archive of Plan Colombia Press Briefings September 19-20 Archive of Plan Colombia Press Briefings September 8-18 Archive of Plan Colombia Press Briefings September 1-7 Archive of Press Briefings on Clinton in Colombia from August 24-30 This is your war. This is your war on drugs. Any questions? [EMAIL PROTECTED] More Plan Colombia News Beginning on our Front Page http://www.narconews.com/ History Hangs on 1,874 Hectares of Coca Plants ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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