DATE=7/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/DESERTERS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-264301
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Sri Lankan government has arrested more
than 47-hundred army deserters. Vandana Chopra
reports from Colombo that meanwhile, nearly 100-
combatants died in renewed fighting in the northern
Jaffna peninsula.
TEXT: Sri Lanka's deputy defense minister says
special round-up operations are being conducted to
track down nearly 18-thousand soldiers who have not
responded to government amnesties.
The independent newspaper, Daily Mirror, says the
government has detained more than 47-hundred army
deserters in a bid to strengthen its campaign against
Tamil rebels.
Past recruitment drives for soldiers have met with
poor response, forcing the government to ask military
volunteers, retired officers, and reserves to sign up
to fight the Tamil guerrillas.
On the battlefield, the military said Monday it
destroyed a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam bunker
line at Ariyalai, on the outskirts of Jaffna town.
There was no immediate comment from the Tamil rebels
on the latest round of fighting.
Independent confirmation of fighting reports is nearly
impossible because the Sri Lankan government restricts
and censors news coverage.
There have been no reports of heavy fighting in recent
weeks, since the military successfully stalled the
rebel takeover of their former stronghold in Jaffna.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been
fighting for a Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka's north and
east since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
11-Jul-2000 09:21 AM EDT (11-Jul-2000 1321 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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