DATE=11/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKANS FLEEING / L-O
NUMBER=2-256037
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Thousands of civilians are fleeing a town in
Northern Sri Lanka, after warnings of new attacks by
Tamil Tiger rebels. Vandana Chopra has the details
from Colombo.
TEXT: The clandestine Voice of the Tiger radio -- the
rebel mouthpiece -- has urged civilians living in
Vavuniya, 210 kilometers north of Colombo, to vacate
town.
In a radio broadcast, Tiger guerrillas announced that
-- because army camps are close to residential areas -
- the attack may cause hardship to the people.
Aid workers say more than three thousand civilians
have fled the area and more are preparing to leave.
Residents say only few shops were open and soldiers
and policemen were seen patrolling the area.
There was no immediate reaction from the government on
the rebel warning.
In addition to Vavuniya, the Tiger rebels announced
plans to attack Jaffna and northwestern Mannar.
These places have come under rebel threat after the
guerrillas launched their latest offensive last week.
Code-named "Unceasing Wave Three," the drive is aimed
at wresting control of large areas in the northern
jungle region, Wanni.
The recent spate of confrontations between the armed
forces and rebels has resulted in army loss of control
in Oddusudan, Nedunkerni, Mankulam and
Kanagarayankulam.
After the rebel assault last week, the government
imposed censorship on all news reports related to the
war.
Tiger guerrillas are fighting for a separate homeland
for the minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's North
and East since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB / VC / WD
11-Nov-1999 03:01 AM EDT (11-Nov-1999 0801 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
