MORE DRUG WAR MISINFORMATION?

IS it true ("Flow of cocaine underestimated," Page 1A, Nov. 14) that our
government has grossly misjudged how much cocaine is being bought and sold?

If yes, it's the latest in a long list of examples of drug-war ineptitude
on a scale that would doom any business in the real world.

If no, it's the latest in a long list of examples of well-timed
misinformation designed to soften up Congress and the voters.

The timing and content of the report seem intended to bolster drug czar
Barry McCaffrey's recent request for $1 billion in "emergency assistance"
for Latin America. We should be extremely skeptical, as should our
representatives in Congress.

Steve Beitler
Palo Alto