DATE=5/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA DEFENSE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262339
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lanka says that its air force continues to
pound Tamil rebel targets in a bid
to prevent the rebels from taking back their former
stronghold of Jaffna city. Vandana Chopra has the
details from Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lankan military officials say troops
continue to hold the forward defense lines around the
city of Jaffna and have repulsed all attempts by Tamil
Tiger guerillas to advance on the city.
Security officials say Sri Lankan Air Force planes
have pounded Tamil rebel targets south of Jaffna
causing heavy casualties and slowing the rebel
advance.
The Sri Lankan Director of Information says rebels
were firing artillery and mortars at
the densely populated locations in Jaffna causing
problems and inconvenience to the general public.
These government claims cannot be verified because
journalists are banned from the battle areas and the
government censors news reports.
International Aid officials have been expressing
growing concern for the safety of the 500-
thousand civilians on the Jaffna peninsula.
The current round of fierce fighting between the
government and Tamil rebels broke out last
Wednesday, after the government rejected the rebel
offer for a ceasefire to enable the temporary
evacuation of troops from Jaffna.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga
has convened a meeting of all political parties for
Monday to discuss the current situation in the war
that has raged since 1983.
The Tiger rebels are fighting for autonomy for the
minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's north and
east. (Signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
14-May-2000 08:09 AM EDT (14-May-2000 1209 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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