Copyright 2002 British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC Monitoring Africa - Political
Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring


July 13, 2002, Saturday

LENGTH: 279 words

HEADLINE: Senegal: Army "combing operations" in Casamance extends to
Gambian border

SOURCE: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 0730 gmt 12 Jul 02

BODY:


Text of report by Radio France Internationale on 12 July

The Senegalese army has carried its combing operations to the border with
Gambia. These are operations launched against Casamance rebels and armed
bandits, especially in the Bignona District. The Senegalese army soldiers
are currently at Djibidione, at about 10 km from the Gambian border, and
they hope to settle there for a long period. Olivier Roger reports.

Roger Officially, combing operations in the Bignona district ended on 7
July, but army COS Babacar Gueye says his troops will remain on the ground
for onward deployment along the Gambian border. He says, if they control
the area they could prevent people from attacking through this area.

In actual fact, the troublemakers - either armed bandits, or MFDC Movement
of Casamance Democratic Forces rebels, or both - are in the habit of hiding
out in Gambia. And the army is determined to prevent them from infiltrating
the Bignona district. In view of these operations, the mounting anger of
Senegalese authorities against Gambia is perceptible, as they claim that
Gambian officials have been reportedly complacent towards Casamance rebels.

Apparently, the army hopes to obtain the same results compared to what they
had earlier obtained along the border with Guinea-Bissau, in southern
Casamance, with the assistance of the Guinea-Bissau authorities.

Meanwhile, the army COS has made an evaluation of operations in the
northern area. His evaluation shows that seven Senegalese soldiers were
injured and many casualties were reported on the enemy side. However, he
denied newspaper reports that 500 MFDC rebels were captured.



LOAD-DATE: July 13, 2002

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