DATE=09/14/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-307481

TITLE=GUINEA BISSAU / COUP (S)

BYLINE=SARAH SIMPSON

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

INTRO: The armed forces have staged a bloodless coup in Guinea Bissau and taken President Kumba Yala prisoner. Sarah Simpson reports from the V-O-A West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: An officer of the Guinea Bissau army announced the coup on national radio Sunday morning.

Identifying himself as Commander Zamora Induta, the officer claimed he was speaking on behalf of the national armed forces. He said the army had taken power in Guinea Bissau because, as he put it, the government had proved incapable of solving the country's problems.

The officer claimed President Yala has been detained by soldiers.

The Portuguese news agency Lusa, says soldiers are also seeking to arrest the prime minister, Mario Pires, who is in the southern part of the country.

There have been no reports of gunfire in the capital, Bissau. The army has called a curfew in Bissau and the city was reportedly calm Sunday morning. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/DW/KBK