DATE=11/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241205
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS UPDATE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE= RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA HAS IMPOSED A TEMPORARY CURFEW IN THREE
SOUTHEASTERN DEPARTMENTS IN AN EFFORT TO CATCH LEFTIST GUERRILLAS
NEAR THE BRAZILIAN BORDER. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS
TROOPS HAVE REGAINED CONTROL OF A TOWN THERE AFTER THREE DAYS OF
HEAVY FIGHTING.
TEXT: THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BANNED NIGHTTIME TRAVEL BY
ROAD OR RIVER IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF VAUPES, GUAINIA, AND
GUAVIARE, AND RESTRICTED SALE OF GASOLINE AND THE CARRYING OF
WEAPONS.
EARLY WEDNESDAY TROOPS CHASED GUERRILLAS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
ARMED FORCES OUT OF WHAT IS LEFT OF THE TOWN OF MITU [ME-TOO'],
THE REMOTE CAPITAL OF VAUPES DEPARTMENT. THE SOLDIERS HAVE
EVACUATED WOUNDED, BURIED THE DEAD, AND SOUGHT TO CALM TERRIFIED
RESIDENTS.
THE DIRECTOR OF A LOCAL HOSPITAL, WHICH WAS DESTROYED IN THE
FIGHTING, SAYS MORE THAN 150 SOLDIERS, POLICE, AND CIVILIANS WERE
KILLED -- MAKING THE BATTLE ONE OF THE BLOODIEST IN COLOMBIA'S
THREE DECADES OF GUERRILLA WARFARE. THE REBELS SAY FIVE OF THEIR
FIGHTERS WERE KILLED AND 15 WOUNDED.
BRAZIL HAS STRONGLY PROTESTED TO COLOMBIA BECAUSE ITS MILITARY
AIRCRAFT REFUELED IN BRAZIL WITHOUT PERMISSION. THE PROTEST NOTE
WAS GIVEN ON TUESDAY TO COLOMBIA'S AMBASSADOR IN BRASILIA, AND
BRAZIL FURTHER SHOWED DISPLEASURE BY RECALLING ITS ENVOY FROM
BOGOTA FOR CONSULTATION.
ACCORDING TO BRAZIL'S FOREIGN MINISTRY, COLOMBIA ASKED TO USE A
BRAZILIAN AIRBASE TO REFUEL HELICOPTERS AND CARGO PLANES TO
SUPPORT OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBELS IN MITU. THE FOREIGN
MINISTRY SAYS COLOMBIA DID NOT WAIT FOR AN ANSWER BEFORE
STARTING TO USE THE BASE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/JO
04-Nov-98 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
