Pubdate: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 2001 Associated Press Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27 Author: Vanessa Arrington, Associated Press Writer TENSIONS, PROTESTS MOUNT IN BOLIVIA AS SOCIAL CRISIS DEEPENS LA PAZ, Bolivia - Coca farmers, union activists and others set out Monday on a 250-mile march from Cochabamba to La Paz, demanding salary increases, the easing of coca leaf eradication and reversing privatization of state companies. They plan to arrive April 23, joining marchers from a separate protest by coca farmers from Los Yungas, near La Paz, where coca eradication started up this month. The protesters have threatened to start road blockades throughout the country on April 25 unless the government responds to their demands. Government officials dubbed the movement a "narco-march," and Government Minister Guillermo Fortun said there is no way that those marching from Cochabamba will arrive in La Paz, nor will they be allowed to begin the road blockades. The same sectors involved in the march triggered the protests that spread violence in April and September last year, leaving 20 dead and more than 170 wounded. This time the government appears better prepared, and already sent troops to Achacachi, the Andean center of discontent during last year's protests. But organizers of the protest also appear in better shape with a broader base of support. The embattled Banzer government President Hugo Banzer has been facing increasing pressure in recent days. School teachers and health workers shut down many schools and all but the emergency rooms of some hospitals throughout the country the first week of the month, and the union activists staged protests that snarled traffic throughout La Paz last Thursday. The U.S. Embassy closed two hours earlier than usual Monday after reports that it would be the target of a protest. Police sealed-off streets around the embassy and posted some 30 officers guarding the building. About 50 students arrived chanting anti-U.S. slogans but there were no confrontations. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D