DATE=05/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-289650

TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / LIBERIA/ SENEGAL (L ONLY)

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations refugee agency says it is concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Liberia, where an insurrection that began three years ago is intensifying. On Friday, the Liberian military said rebels had gained control of part of a government stronghold east of Monrovia. Dale Gavlak has the story from the Geneva-based U-N-H-C-R.

TEXT: The United Nations refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R, says the intense fighting in Liberia is forcing many people to flee for safety.

U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron Redmond says the agency has been providing humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the conflict, but the quick advance of rebel troops into some areas means the agency cannot reach all the people who need help.

/// FIRST REDMOND ACT ///

This week there has been fighting occurring near the town of Gbarnga, which is in the northeast part of the country in a place called Bong County. People are reportedly fleeing the area in large numbers but because of the insecure situation, we have not been able to get a firm fix on what exactly is happening up there.

/// END ACT ///

Meanwhile, the U-N-H-C-R also reports instability in Senegal ahead of Sunday's municipal elections. Mr. Redmond says an attack on a government electoral convoy this week has sparked fighting and sent thousands of people fleeing, many of them into neighboring Gambia.

/// SECOND REDMOND ACT ///

We have seen up to two-thousand new refugees from the Casamance region in Senegal who have arrived in southern Gambia over the past few days. This has been sparked by fighting by the Casamance Democratic Forces Movement, which is a separatist movement which has been waging a struggle in that part of Senegal since the early 1980's. It is a sporadic conflict. It rises and ebbs and flows.

/// END ACT ///

U-N-H-C-R says it is sending a team (Friday) to the border between Senegal and Gambia to get a better idea of what assistance is needed for the refugees. (Signed)

NEB/DG/KL/SAB