28 OUT 98 - 14:22

28 OUT 98 - 13:29

Guinea-Bissau: Vieira-Mane Meet in Gambia Jeopardized by Lack of Rebel Plane

Bissau, Oct. 28 (Lusa) - President Nino Vieira of Guinea-Bissau and rebel chief Brig. Ansumane Mane agreed to face-to-face talks in the Gambian capital Wednesday, but the insurgents' lack of secure transportation threatened to scuttle the pivotal meeting.

Rebel spokesman Comd. Zamora Induta told Lusa "contacts are underway" with Portugal and Nigeria for "the rapid supply" of an aircraft to fly Mane to Banjul.

He said the rebel chief and his delegation could be accompanied by the Catholic bishop of Bissau and European diplomats, including the Portuguese ambassador, for additional safety.

Induta said the use of a rebel helicopter was "totally out of the question" for security reasons.

Bissau's foreign minister, Delfim da Silva, who formally announced Tuesday the meeting would be held at Gambia's presidential palace, said Wednesday morning he was still hopeful the encounter would take place on schedule.

Originally expected Tuesday, the Vieira-Mane meeting, aimed to seek a solution for the conflict that erupted in June, was brokered last weekend during a lightening visit to Bissau by Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama. - Lusa

Contactos E-mail:
Geocities:  bissau@oocities.com

Outros endereços desta Página:

Guiné-Bissau, o Conflito no «site» FortuneCity

Guiné-Bissau, o Conflito no «site» Terràvista

---