THOUSANDS OF COCA FARMERS MARCH IN PERU

Thousands of poor coca farmers converged on the capital Monday, protesting
for an end to restrictions on their cocaine-producing crop.

The farmers began marching in several groups to Lima about 10 days ago from
mountainous jungle valleys where the coca is harvested.

They are also seeking the release of Nelson Palomino, head of a national
organization of coca producers. He was arrested on Feb. 20, after farmers
began protesting government plans to destroy coca plants. Police charge that
he threatened farmers who refused to support him.

The February protests ended when officials from Peru's anti-drug
organization, Devida, agreed to meet with coca leaders.

Devida published a statement Sunday stating that both sides had agreed on a
gradual reduction of illegal coca plants.

"We come marching to prove the president of Devida wrong," said Guillermo
Mendoza, a leader of coca farmers from the Huallaga River valley. "It is
completely untrue that everything is solved."

Peru was once the world's leading coca producer but low coca prices,
interdiction, eradication and alternative crop programs cut cultivation.

But after years of hailing Peru as a success story in its war on drugs, the
U.S. government in February criticized the nation for dropping its police
presence in some coca-growing areas and slowing eradication programs.