DATE=5/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SOUTH LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262641
BYLINE=EDWARD YERANIAN
DATELINE=BEIRUT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Israeli-supported South Lebanese Army --
the S-L-A -- has abandoned a dozen villages it
formerly controlled in southern Lebanon and scores of
S-L-A militiamen have surrendered to the Lebanese
government. Edward Yeranian in Beirut reports happy
villagers thronged to see homes and relatives many had
not visited in more than 20 years.
TEXT:
/// CAR HORNS AND WOMEN WAILING - FADE UNDER ///
Car horns honked, children waved flags, and women
ululated in cries of joy after hundreds of villagers -
- many exiled for over 20 years -- returned to their
homes.
The Israeli-supported South Lebanese Army militia
abandoned at least a dozen villages it had occupied
along with Israeli forces in the Israeli-occupied
security-zone.
Lebanese government television showed pictures of
elderly villagers embracing grandchildren whom they
had never met. One middle-aged man explained his
feelings:
/// MAN ACT - IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER ///
The man said what he called "this victory" is crowned
by the "liberation of our land and our families. Our
people have now regained their dignity."
More than 100 South Lebanese Army militiamen
reportedly surrendered at a Lebanese government
checkpoint flanking the occupied zone. The militia
once had 25-hundred members.
A spokesman for the United Nations UNIFIL peace-
keeping force, Timor Goksel, said the South Lebanese
Army militia (S-L-A) was falling apart more quickly
than anyone had expected:
/// GOKSEL ACT ONE ///
The occupation zone has been cut in two today
and the remnants of the S-L-A on the western
side have lost contact with their headquarters
in Marjayoun. The village of Houla was taken
over this morning and the village of Markaba
which effectively controlled the only supply
route between the two parts of the occupation
zone.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Goksel said there is a great deal of anxiety among
ordinary residents within the border strip and that
the situation could quickly get out of control.
/// GOKSEL ACT TWO ///
There are a lot of guns in this part of the
world. A wrong move by anybody could set off a
disaster here.
/// END ACT ///
Israeli planes fired several rockets and Israeli field
artillery bombarded a strategic road in attempts to
slow advancing villagers who were accompanied by
Hezbollah fighters. A number of civilians were killed
or wounded.
A spokesman for the S-L-A militia, Raymond Abou Mrad,
had said several days ago that his men planned to
continue their fight if the Lebanese government did
not offer a blanket amnesty. The government has
repeatedly refused to make such an offer. (Signed)
NEB/EY/JWH/KL
22-May-2000 10:28 AM EDT (22-May-2000 1428 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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