18 JAN 99 - 20:44

Guinea Bissau: Rebel Junta Meets Political Parties Over Peace Impasse

Bissau, Jan. 18 (Lusa) - The rebel Military Junta met Monday with political parties to discuss the delayed arrival of peace-keepers provided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

At the meeting the opposition Social Renovation and Union for Change parties reportedly favored use of the military option to end the current peace impasse, a party source told Lusa.

The opposition Bafata movement favored continued dialog, but would support use of the military option if all other alternatives fail.

President Nino Vieira called in troops from Senegal and Guinea-Conakry last summer to help face down a military mutiny.

Their continued presence has been the main stumbling block preventing the transitional "national unity" government from taking office. Under the terms of the Nov. 2 Abuja agreement that ended the revolt they are to be replaced by the ECOWAS peace-keeping force.

On Saturday the rebels gave ECOWAS one-week to either confirm the dispatch of the entire force or withdraw the first 100-man advance unit of Togolese peace-keepers . -Lusa

18 JAN 99 - 21:27

Guinea Bissau: PM-Designate Fadul Urges EU to Aid Withdrawal of Foreign Troops

Bissau, Jan. 18 (Lusa) - Prime Minister-designate Francisco Fadul appealed Monday to the European Union to use "all means possible" to aid the withdrawal of foreign troops from Guinea Bissau and their replacement by a West African peace-keeping force.

Fadul reiterated that neither he nor the transitional "national unity" government would take office before all troops from Guinea-Conakry and Senegal have left the country.

Their withdrawal was one of the conditions included in the Nov. 2 Abuja peace accord that ended a five-month military revolt against President Nino Vieira. -Lusa

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