PROTESTERS MARCH ON BOLIVIAN CAPITAL

Filed at 11:16 p.m. ET

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- Hundreds of farm and union activists marching to
the capital to protest government policies dispersed Monday to avoid
clashes with government forces.

But the protesters said they still intend to try to reach La Paz by next
week to push their demands -- salary increases, an end to state company
privatizations and an easing of coca crop eradication.

About 1,000 protesters left the central city of Cochabamba a week ago for a
250-mile trek to the capital. Face-offs with authorities along the way
reduced that number to about 300. Those demonstrators dispersed Monday
after reaching Caracollo, about 125 miles southeast of La Paz.

Government Minister Guillermo Fortun has pledged to use security forces to
prevent the marchers from reaching La Paz. Protest organizers have
countered with threats to launch nationwide road blockades.