BOGOTA : A Presidential Beginning

Now begins the hard part for Cesar Gaviria, 43, Colombia’s new president. After a week in office, dedicated largely to organizing his staff, Gaviria starts tackling the problems of cocaine trafficking and violence that have kept his country in crisis.

The new president has said he will personally direct action by the armed forces and police to defeat the “narco-terrorists”--powerful drug barons who have killed thousands of Colombians with bullets and bombs. He is also committed to continuing a policy of dialogue in order to pacify Colombian guerrilla organizations.

Working in his favor is an 89% popularity rating with the Colombian public--a substantial improvement since May 27, when he was elected with less than half the vote.