26 JAN 99 - 22:28

Guinea-Bissau: France Willing to Provide Financial and Logistic Support to "Ecomog" Peacekeepers

Bissau, Jan. 26 (Lusa) - France is willing to provide financial and logistic support for a 600-man West African "Ecomog" peacekeeping force in Guinea-Bissau.

The French embassy in Bissau announced Tuesday that the aid proposal encompassed vehicles, radios and other equipment, as well as a daily subsidy of 100 French francs (15.24 euros) for each peacekeeper.

Togo, Benin, the Gambia and Niger have agreed to provide toops for the "Ecomog" force.

A French ship transporting the material is scheduled to arrive in Dakar on Jan. 26 or 27, the embassy statement added. On Jan. 29 French planes will begin airlifting the peacekeepers to Dakar, whence they will proceed to Bissau by ship.

The Economic Community of West African States has been mediating talks between the rival factions in Guinea-Bissau. On Tuesday the representatives of President Nino Vieira and the rebel Military Junta were unable to reach agreement on the timetable for deployment of the peacekeepers. The negotiations are scheduled to resume on Wednesday.

26 JAN 99 - 21:36

Guinea-Bissau: Talks Continue, No Break in Peace Impasse

Bissau, Jan. 26 (Lusa) - The rival factions in Guinea-Bissau met again Tuesday but were unable to break the impasse over full implementation of the Nov. 2 Abuja peace accord.

Represenatives of both the presidential and rebel delegations told Lusa that the atmosphere of the talks had been "very favorable".

The two sides discussed the size and powers of the peacekeeping force provided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The so-called "Ecomog" force is to replace Senegalese and Guinea-Conakry troops that backed President Nino Vieira during a five-month revolt against his rule.

The rebel Military Junta continues to insist that the transitional "national unity" government will not take office until the last foreign troops have left Guinea-Bissau.

The timetable for their withdrawal will be on the table when the talks continue Wednesday.

26 JAN 99 - 13:30

Guinea-Bissau: Opposition Parties Call for Public Pressure on Withdrawal of Foreign Troops

Bissau, Jan. 26 (Lusa) - Six Guinea-Bissau opposition parties called Monday for "the mobilization of a widespread civic movement" to press for the withdrawal of foreign troops who backed President Nino Vieira in a confrontation with his rebellious armed forces last year.

In a communique, the parties said the departure of some 3,000 troops from Senegal and Guinea-Conakry was "a precondition for peace, stability and national reconciliation."

The withdrawal of Vieira's allied troops was agreed in the Nov. 2 peace accord which ended the five-month conflict.

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