08 FEV 99 - 21:17

Guinea-Bissau: Cease-fire Holding, Rival Factions Discuss Deployment of "Ecomog" Peacekeepers

Bissau, Feb. 8 (Lusa) - The Guinea-Bissau capital was calm Monday as representatives of the rival factions met again to discuss deployment of the West African "Ecomog" peacekeeping force.

The cease-fire signed Wednesday by President Nino Vieira and rebel Military Junta leader Ansumane Mane appeared to be holding as no military incidents were reported for the third day in a row.

The situation remains tense, however, and many Bissau residents are abandoning the city in response to appeals broadcast by the rebel radio.

A contingent of 130 Gambian soldiers was due to arrive in Bissau late Monday to complete the 600-man Ecomog intervention force. The West African peacekeepers are to replace Senegalese and Guinea-Conakry troops that have backed Vieira since the June outbreak of a military revolt against his rule.

Meanwhile, a Portuguese Air Force plane carrying eight tons of humanitarian aid is due to arrive in Bissau within the next few days, a diplomatic source told Lusa Monday.

The cargo of medical equipment is destined for hospitals overburdened by victims of the fighting between Vieira loyalists and Junta rebels that broke out on Jan. 30 and ended with the truce on Feb. 3.

08 FEV 99 - 14:09

Guinea-Bissau: President Vieira Rescinds Priest's Expulsion

Bissau, Feb. 8 (Lusa) - Guinea-Bissau President Nino Vieira, responding to an appeal from the Catholic church, Friday rescinded a government order expelling an Italian missionary priest.

Rev. Marco Faccioli, 77, had been ordered earlier in the day to leave the country within 24 hours after telling journalists that French troops were aiding the government. Faccioli, who has served in Guinea-Bissau for 43 years, later apologized for having repeated unconfirmed reports of French involvement in the conflcit, allegations which have been denied by France.

08 FEV 99 - 13:58

Guinea-Bissau: Truce Holds over Weekend as Emergency Food Aid Arrives

Bissau, Feb. 8 (Lusa) - With a truce holding between loyalist and rebel forces in Guinea-Bissau's capital, a freighter loaded with 3,000 tons of food docked in Bissau harbor during the weekend, easing fears of widespread hunger.

The arrival of the Cape Verdean freighter Saturday and the distribution of its cargo of emergency food supplies helped ease tensions in the war-wracked city of 200,000 people.

By Monday morning, the truce agreed last Wednesday was holding for a third day without reports of any incidents between troops loyal to President Nino Vieira and the Military Junta which rebelled against him in June.

Meetings were held during the weekend between delegations of the two sides, mediated by West African peacekeepers, to detail the deployment of the Togolese-led Ecomog intervention force in Bissau.

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Geocities:  bissau@oocities.com

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