| Bolivian President Evo Morales has rejected | | | | |
| calls by coca growers to expel U.S. drug | | | | Word of the request to expel the U.S. agents |
| agents, saying the Americans can stay in the | | | | of the Drug Enforcement Administration |
| country as long as they respect its laws. | | | | prompted the U.S. Embassy in La Paz to call |
| | | | off a scheduled meeting with Bolivian |
| President Morales said during a military | | | | anti-narcotics officials. |
| ceremony in La Paz Wednesday that everyone | | | | |
| has the right to be in Bolivia if they | | | | A former coca farmer, Mr. Morales campaigned |
| respect its national sovereignty and dignity. | | | | on promises to reverse a U.S.-backed campaign |
| He said it is important to have international | | | | to eradicate coca, the main ingredient in |
| friendships. | | | | cocaine. He has proclaimed opposition to |
| | | | illicit drug trafficking. |
| The coca growers issued their call at a | | | | |
| federation meeting Tuesday in Cochabamba, in | | | | Some information for this report was provided |
| which Mr. Morales was re-elected head of | | | | by AFP and Reuters. |
| Bolivia's largest coca farmers union. | | | | |