Bolivia's Morales to quit coca union job
June 20, 2008 - Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian President Evo Morales is stepping down as leader of the powerful coca growers' union that launched his political career.

Morales told reporters Thursday he will resign as chief of the Six Federations of the Tropic of Cochabamba next month to make way for new leadership.

The president had remained the organization's leader after winning Bolivia's top office in 2005 and often sought political advice at union meetings.

Morales rose to prominence leading the union's resistance to U.S.-backed eradication of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine.