31.   He flew Monday to the coca-producing Huallaga River Valley, a stronghold of the Shining Path guerrillas, who often provide protection for coca growers.

32.   He said the government wanted coca growers to gain legitimate livelihoods.

33.   His remarks were the first since coca leaf growers and farmers began setting up roadblocks throughout the country to protest the eradication effort.

34.   One coca grower said he resented being tagged a criminal.

35.   The administration also is earmarking funds for neighboring countries to bolster their counter-drug efforts should coca growers in Colombia decide to relocate outside the country.

36.   The head of the government agency in charge of trying to wean coca growers off the illegal crop said it would try to relocate the displaced.

37.   The statement by spokesman Richard Boucher came amid violent demonstrations sponsored by coca growers protesting the government effort.

38.   The U.S. contribution is largely military aid to help Colombia fight leftist guerrillas who partly finance their insurgency by protecting coca growers and cocaine laboratories.

39.   Chief government negotiator Rafael Echeverry said the talks were indefinitely suspended because the coca growers refused to accept terms of an agreement they had reportedly already agreed upon.

40.   De La Calle noted that the country has been plagued by guerrilla violence and violent clashes between authorities and striking coca growers.