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