DIPLOMATIC DAMAGE

Robert Novak, in a recent column, reported one of the most distressing
stories I have read in some time. He tells of former President Jimmy
Carter's visit to Bolivia last December and his comments to that
country's leading leftist, anti-American leader, Evo Morales. Carter
is reported to have complimented Morales as "an 'impressive' leader
with a great future." Morales led the ouster of the pro-American
President of Bolivia who was assisting the United States in the drug
war against the growing drug problem in that country. The increasing
production of the coca plant in Bolivia, from which cocaine is made,
has become a huge problem for the United States, having replaced
Colombia with that distinction.

Novak reported that Carter even sat down with Morales and told him
that he "supported a pause in the drug war in order to give the United
Nations a chance to study the program" in Bolivia.

I know that Jimmy Carter is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but perhaps it
is time for him to give up his globetrotting, peacemaking efforts,
settle down in Plains and confine himself to building houses for
Habitat for Humanity. It seems he has lost his touch in international
matters. What he did has helped undermine his own country's war
against drugs.

The man has done too much good to tarnish his reputation with such
outrageous actions as those in Bolivia. I hope the damage he has done
can be repaired and our anti-drug war in Bolivia can continue.

Rudy Tidwell

Valley, Ala.