DATE=4/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKAN FIGHTING (L-ONLY)CQ
NUMBER=2-261762
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have launched a
new offensive in their bid to re-capture their former
stronghold and capital, Jaffna. Vandana Chopra has
the details from Colombo.
TEXT: The Tamil Tigers have asked civilians living in
villages along the road to Jaffna to move to safer
areas. The clandestine Voice of Tiger radio has asked
civilians to stay away from army camps and artillery
positions.
Analysts say the guerrillas are likely to launch an
assault to re-capture their former stronghold, Jaffna,
which they lost to the military in 1995.
The rebel radio says the guerrillas are moving from
consolidated positions in Elephant Pass to the centre
of Pallai, about 15 kilometres north.
Last week, the Tiger rebels captured the strategic
Elephant Pass military complex, which serves as a
gateway to the northern Jaffna region. Some military
analysts say the fall of Elephant Pass is the
military's worst setback in the 17-year ethnic war.
Saturday, the army withdrew its garrison of up to 17-
thousand troops from the area.
Security officials say the air force was conducting
bombing raids on guerrilla targets. The navy had also
increased its presence in the seas of the Jaffna
Peninsula. Military officials say the army has set up
new defense lines.
Independent confirmation of events is not possible,
because journalists are not allowed in the war torn
areas.
Tiger rebels have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's north and east since 1983 (signed).
NEB / VC / WD
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
27-Apr-2000 05:56 AM EDT (27-Apr-2000 0956 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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