U.S. Waives Drug Sanctions on Bolivia [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

U.S. Waives Drug Sanctions on Bolivia
By MATTHEW LEE – 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration has decided to waive penalties against the world's third-leading producer of coca, finding that Bolivia has done enough to fight the production and sale of the cocaine precursor to warrant a reprieve.

The decision came in a report sent to Congress on Friday that lists 20 nations, including Bolivia, as "major drug transit" or "major drug producing" countries that can be subject to punitive measures from the United States.

But, it finds that Bolivia, which has long been a concern, has taken adequate steps to stave off the sanctions. Last year, there was heated debate about whether the government in La Paz deserved a pass and Washington delayed a decision.

The report, to be released Monday by the State Department, was obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its official release. It concludes that the same 20 countries as in 2006 are the world's leading producers or transit points for drugs.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2H_SND8VDmRo0PfkzIYwW_-tbLQ