DATE=6/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE (L O)
NUMBER=2-263350
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Sierra Leone, thousands of civilians are
fleeing their homes ahead of an expected government
assault on the rebel-held city of Makeni. V-O-A's
John Pitman has details from our West Africa bureau.
TEXT: The displaced civilians have been fleeing
Makeni for several days now.
According to humanitarian sources near the city, about
145 kilometers northeast of Freetown, the exodus began
when a government helicopter dropped leaflets
announcing an imminent offensive by pro-government
troops.
The leaflets reportedly warned rebels in the city not
to resist the attack, and said they would be fired on
by the government's attack helicopter if they did.
It remains unclear when the pro-government forces
might launch their attack on Makeni, or if the
leaflets have had any effect on the rebels holding the
city.
Civilians have certainly gotten the message, though.
United Nations humanitarian officials say more than
20-thousand displaced people -- mostly women and
children -- are jamming the small village of "Mile
91," on the road south of Makeni.
Journalists at Mile 91 report many of the displaced
say they fled Makeni because they are afraid of being
caught in the cross-fire, which has already reportedly
claimed several civilian lives.
Skirmishes between rebels and a government helicopter
gunship have been reported in recent days. The
government claims the air strikes are an effective
means of pushing the rebels back. But civilians who
have witnessed the gunship in action say rocket and
machine gun fire from the aircraft often goes astray.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JP/DW/JP
10-Jun-2000 12:25 PM EDT (10-Jun-2000 1625 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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