23 FEV 99 - 12:50

Guinea-Bissau: Senegalese Soldiers Bar Ministers from Government Installations

Bissau, Feb. 23 (Lusa) - Senegalese troops kept two Guinea-Bissau cabinet ministers from visiting government installations Monday, in the first incident with foreign troops since the "national unity" government took office Saturday.

Finance and Economy Minister Abubacar Dahba and Internal Administration Minister Caetano Intchama said they were barred by Senegalese soldiers from entering the offices of the information and youth and sports departments.

The soldiers said the installations, which they have been using, could not be visited because they had not received advance notice, the ministers said.

The continued presence of Senegalese troops in Guinea-Bissau remains a major irritant in the Nov. 2 peace accord reached between President Nino Vieira and the rebel Military Junta.

Vieira called in troops from neighboring Senegal and Guinea-Conakry when most of his armed forces revolted last June. - Lusa -

23 FEV 99 - 19:50

Guinea-Bissau: Portugal Preparing Aid Program

Lisbon, Feb. 23 (Lusa) - The Portuguese government is preparing a number of measures to aid Guinea-Bissau, the state secretary for foreign affairs and cooperation, Luis Amado, announced Tuesday in Lisbon.

The aim is to help Guinea-Bissau recover from more than eight months of conflict between the rebel Military Junta and forces loyal to President Nino Vieira. A "national unity" government led by Prime Minister Francisco Fadul took office this past Saturday.

Amado noted, however, that the continued presence of Senegalese troops backing Vieira prevented the new government from carrying out its duties.

Lisbon will support the voluntary return of officials who sought refuge in Portugal during the conflict as soon as proper conditions exist in Guinea-Bissau, Amado stated. A next phase will be the preparation of a three year cooperation framework. Portugal will also work with the international community to aid the sector-by-sector normalization of the country, he said.

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