PARIS - President Jacques Chirac yesterday backed a plan by Colombian President Ernesto Samper to fight cocaine production by promoting alternative crops.
Mr Samper told reporters he had asked that the EU maintain its aid for his programme of crop substitution. Mr Chirac's spokeswoman, Ms Catherine Colonna, told reporters: "The crop substitution programme is essential. The president (Mr Chirac) insisted on the fact that, to be an incentive, new crops must be as profitable as possible. He said the international community must help this extra financing."
