DATE=5/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LIBERIA / SIERRA LEONE (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262693
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
CONTENT:
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Liberia president Charles Taylor has again
called for a cease-fire in Sierra Leone. Mr. Taylor
said in a statement that continued fighting in Sierra
Leone is hampering his efforts to win the release of
more than 200 U-N peacekeepers held by rebels. V-O-
A's John Pitman reports from our West Africa Bureau.
TEXT: President Taylor's statement was released as
pro-government forces in Sierra Leone trumpeted their
latest battlefield gains against the rebels.
But Mr. Taylor said the continuing government
offensive is threatening his efforts to negotiate with
the Revolutionary United Front, which holds more than
200 U-N peacekeepers captive. Expressing
"dissatisfaction" with the slow pace of the
negotiations - which have gained the release of 233
peacekeepers - Mr. Taylor blamed the lack of rapid
progress on the government's offensive.
The statement called for both sides to observe an
immediate cease-fire to allow the Liberian president's
negotiations to proceed without difficulty.
This is the second time Mr. Taylor has called for a
cease-fire since starting negotiations with the R-U-F
10-days ago.
The government's offensive has pushed the R-U-F away
from the capital, Freetown, and government officials
say the front line is moving steadily eastward, toward
the town of Makeni. But there are conflicting reports
about the extent of the government's advance.
/// OPT /// Some reports placed the front line in the
town of Rogberi Junction, about 90-kilometers from
Freetown. Others say pro-government troops have
reached the town of Lunsar, about 20-kilometers
further east. Fighting was also reported around Port
Loko, west of Rogberi Junction, where U-N peacekeepers
have a large base. /// END OPT ///
Monday, pro-government troops found six bodies dressed
in Zambian uniforms bearing U-N insignia. The United
Nations has not confirmed the bodies belonged to
peacekeepers, but says it is investigating. If the
bodies are Zambian peacekeepers, they would be the
first U-N captives to have been confirmed killed by
the rebels.
The rebels maintain they are not holding any
peacekeepers captive and have called for the immediate
release of their leader, Foday Sankoh, who is in
government custody.
The government says it remains open to negotiating
with the rebels and Mr. Sankoh, but appears to be
waiting for Mr. Sankoh to make the first move. As it
waits, government officials say the offensive will
continue until the rebels no longer pose a threat to
the capital. (SIGNED)
NEB/JP/JWH/RAE
23-May-2000 10:45 AM EDT (23-May-2000 1445 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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