Just Spray No

Despite a judge's order to temporarily cease fumigating coca and poppy plants with the herbicide glyphosate because of environmental and health concerns, Colombia said yesterday it would not stop the antidrug operation. The judge on Friday asked the Colombian government to explain what it knows about the effects of glyphosate on people and the environment. His final ruling on a petition by indigenous groups to halt the American-backed spraying is expected within 10 days. Both Colombia and the U.S. deny that the spraying might be causing harm. Colombia's antinarcotics chief, Gen. Gustavo Socha, said spraying would continue, except in the Amazon; American officials said they interpreted the ruling to suspend the fumigation in all of Colombia.