BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT BANZER GREETING ABOARD OF PRSIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT, 2000-01-18 (photo)

Bolivian President Hugo Banzer Suarez waves before boarding the presidential aircraft in La Paz, January 18. Bolivian President Banzer will travel to the Washington, DC to be operated on for a herniated disc in his back, the government said on Wednesday. The unexpected trip for the retired army general, 73, was brought on by intense pains suffered since the beginning of the year due to excessive physical exertion, the government said in a statement. Banzer's surgery will be performed at Washington's Walter Reed Hospital, where the president was treated for back problems once before in 1991. DM/JP