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DATE=2/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245058
TITLE=GUINEA BISSAU / CEASEFIRE (S/L)
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE WARRING SIDES IN GUINEA BISSAU HAVE SIGNED A NEW 
CEASEFIRE.  THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED WEDNESDAY, AFTER THREE DAYS 
OF FIGHTING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT LOYALISTS AND REBELS, WHICH 
CLAIMED UP TO 80 LIVES.  VOA'S JOHN PITMAN HAS DETAILS FROM OUR 
WEST AFRICA BUREAU.
TEXT:   THE CEASEFIRE WAS SIGNED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN GUINEA 
BISSAU'S CAPITAL, BISSAU, BY PRESIDENT JOAO BERNARDO VIERA AND 
REBEL LEADER GENERAL ANSUMANE MANE.
TOGO'S PRESIDENT GNASSINGBE EYADEMA -- WHO HOLDS THE ROTATING 
PRESIDENCY OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES -- 
HELPED BROKER THE DEAL, WHICH ENDS THREE DAYS OF HEAVY FIGHTING 
BETWEEN THE RIVAL SIDES.  ACCORDING TO A TOGOLESE GOVERNMENT 
SPOKESMAN, THE CEASEFIRE AUTHORIZES THE ARRIVAL OF NEARLY 300 
WEST AFRICAN PEACEKEEPERS WHO HAD BEEN FORCED TO STAY ABOARD A 
SHIP OFF SHORE BECAUSE OF THE FIGHTING.  
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO HOLD A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING TO WORK 
OUT THE PRACTICAL DETAILS OF MAINTAINING THE CEASEFIRE. ACCORDING
TO PORTUGUESE NEWS REPORTS, THE CEASEFIRE CAME AMID A PERIOD OF 
RELATIVE CALM IN BISSAU, ALTHOUGH SOME SPORADIC SHOOTING 
CONTINUED AFTER THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED.
                    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
ESTIMATES OF THE CASUALTY TOLL FROM THIS WEEK'S FIGHTING IN 
GUINEA BISSAUSAY AS MANY AS 80 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND UP TO 300 
WOUNDED.  MOST OF THE CAPITAL'S CIVILIANS WERE ALSO FORCED FROM 
THEIR HOMES.  PARTS OF THE CAPITAL ALSO SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE.  
THE CITY'S HOSPITAL WAS HIT BY SHELLS ON MONDAY.  
THE PORTUGUESE NEWS AGENCY, LUSA, SAYS SEVERAL SHELLS ALSO FELL 
IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR THE PORTUGUESE EMBASSY. 
PORTUGUESE NEWS REPORTS HAVE ALSO CONFIRMED UNITED NATIONS 
CONCERNS THAT CIVILIANS IN AND AROUND BISSAU ARE FACING SHORTAGES
OF FOOD AND WATER.  
THE WEST AFRICAN, ECOMOG, PEACEKEEPERS WHOSE ARRIVAL WAS 
AUTHORIZED BY THE CEASEFIRE DEAL WILL JOIN MORE THAN 100 ECOMOG 
TROOPS ALREADY ON THE GROUND IN BISSAU.  THE TWO SIDES ACCEPTED 
THE ECOMOG FORCE LAST NOVEMBER,WHEN THEY SIGNED A PEACE ACCORD IN
NIGERIA.  THE ECOMOG FORCE WILL EVENTUALLY NUMBER 600 MEN.  WHEN 
FULLY DEPLOYED, IT WILL ACT AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE WARRING SIDES
IN THE CAPITAL, AND PATROL ALONG GUINEA BISSAU'S NORTHERN BORDER 
WITH SENEGAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
03-Feb-99 3:08 PM EST (2008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.