U.S. BACKS BOLIVIA IN COCA BATTLE

WASHINGTON (AP)-- The State Department expressed strong support Friday for
the Bolivian government's plan to rid the country of illegal coca.

The statement by spokesman Richard Boucher came amid violent demonstrations
sponsored by coca growers protesting the government effort. In the past
week, 10 people have died and more than 100 have been injured.

Boucher said that apart from eliminating illegal coca, the Bolivian
government also is attempting to attract foreign investment to generate
jobs.

``For these reasons, we believe both the demands and the violent tactics of
the coca growers are destructive to Bolivia's national interests,'' he
said.

``We share and fully support President Hugo Banzer's call for communication
and reconciliation and urge all Bolivians to take heed of the plea by
10,000 women in Cochabamba for peace, dialogue and cooperation in achieving
a brighter future for all Bolivians.''