19 JAN 99 - 13:04

Guinea-Bissau: Lisbon Ready to Provide 'Logistical' Support for Peacekeepers

Lisbon, Jan. 19 (Lusa) - Portugal would be willing to provide logistical support for a peace-keeping contingent in Guinea-Bissau if asked "directly" by that country's feuding factions, Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Luis Amado said Monday.

Questioned by Lusa, Amado declined to comment on whether the Portuguese government had been contacted on the issue.

Other foreign ministry sources, however, said that both the United States and France have served as "intermediaries" for some form of Portuguese involvement in breaking the deadlock over the arrival of promised West African peacekeepers.

Both Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister-designate, Francisco Fadul, and the rebel Military Junta have indicated their desire for the participation of troops from the Community of Portuguese-speaking States (CPLP) in the peace-keeping force.

19 JAN 99 - 20:56

Guinea Bissau: Human Rights Group To Close Cape Verde Office, Return to Bissau

Cidade da Praia, Jan. 19 (Lusa) - The International Observatory of Human Rights in Guinea Bissau will close its office in Cape Verde on Wednesday and begin working in Guinea Bissau, director Fernando Gomes announced Tuesday.

The Observatory was set up in Cape Verde last August to accompany the human rights situation in Guinea Bissau, then in the midst of a five-month long military rebellion.

Peace has yet to be achieved but "the arms are quiet and minimum conditions exist for us to return and continue our work there", Gomes said. -Lusa

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Geocities:  bissau@oocities.com

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