DATE=1/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALGERIA UNREST (S ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258410
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: News media in Algeria report 12 civilians have
been killed and three wounded in an ambush by Islamic
militants outside the town of Miliana, 100 kilometers
west of the capital. V-O-A Middle East correspondent
Scott Bobb reports the attack comes as government
troops are mounting a major offensive against Islamic
militants in the region.
TEXT: Algerian newspapers report a dozen militants at
a roadblock stopped an ambulance carrying handicapped
children and a vehicle carrying staff from a nearby
facility that cared for the children. Survivors say
the attackers machine-gunned to death most of the
people, but they kidnapped two people before fleeing.
The attackers are believed to be part of a small rebel
group that has rejected a government amnesty offer.
More than 100 people have been killed in recent days
in the Relizane area, 200 kilometers further west.
These clashes are reportedly part of a government
offensive promised by Algerian officials against
rebels who do not lay down their arms.
Algerian officials last week said about 80 percent of
the rebels have taken advantage of the amnesty that
expired two weeks ago. (Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/KL
25-Jan-2000 09:24 AM EDT (25-Jan-2000 1424 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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