DATE=5/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ETHIOPIA ATTACK (L)
NUMBER=2-262922
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=ASMARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Ethiopian warplanes have bombed targets near
the Eritrean capital, Asmara, just as peace talks
between both countries were about to get started in
Algiers. Correspondent Nick Simeone reports from the
Eritrean capital.
TEXT: Witnesses say at least three Ethiopian fighter
jets flew low over the outskirts of Asmara just before
noon Monday. Then, there was the sound of
explosions. Huge plumes of smoke began rising over
areas near the airport and the nearby headquarters of
the air force.
People returning from the airport just minutes after
the attack say it appears Ethiopian jets tried to hit
the military airstrip. The Eritrean government is
assessing the damage but says at least one bomb did
hit the road leading to the airport. Police and
ambulance sirens could be heard screaming through the
city, indicating possible casualties.
The raid took Asmara by complete surprise. Until
now, the Eritrean capital had been spared attack
during this latest flare up of war with neighboring
Ethiopia over the countries' shared border. Stunned
Eritreans ran into the streets, many pointing at the
billowing gray and black smoke hanging over the
horizon. This attack - and another by Ethiopia
Sunday on a power plant further north -- would
certainly seem to represent a sharp escalation of this
war which now seems to be no longer confined largely
to the countries' shared border. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PLM
29-May-2000 07:21 AM EDT (29-May-2000 1121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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