Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 14, 2009

Thousands of Civilians Flee Sri Lankan War Zone
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=243C52A:A6F02AD83191E1602FD33D7B0E4791A05C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&
 
Government spokesman says at least 2,000 people managed to escape,
thousands more wait to be rescued 
Handout picture from Sri Lankan Defense Ministry is said to be of
improvised multi-barrel rocket launcher captured from rebels in
Mullaittivu district, 14 May 2009The Sri Lankan military says thousands
of civilians are braving Tamil rebel attacks to wade across a lagoon and
escape the northern war zone. A military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya
Nanayakkara, says the rebels opened fire as the civilians fled Thursday,
killing four people and wounding 14. The casualties have not been
independently confirmed. The spokesman says at least 2,000 people
managed to escape, and that another 2,000 were gathered on the far
shore, waiting to cross the lagoon that divides the government soldiers
from the rebels. Human rights group say the rebels are using civilians
as human shields. They also have accused the government of disregarding
the safety of civilians in their effort to crush the rebels. Both sides
deny the charges. The government on Thursday rejected international
appeals to stop its offensive. U.S. President Barack Obama and the
United Nations Security Council urged the rebels and the government
Wednesday to protect civilians and allow aid agencies into the conflict
zone. The Security Council adopted a non-binding resolution expressing
"grave concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis."And President Obama
called on the rebels to lay down their weapons and let civilians go. He
also appealed to the Sri Lankan military to end indiscriminate shelling
and allow aid groups access to the thousands of displaced Tamils. The
rebels have been fighting for an independent homeland for ethnic Tamils
for more than 25 years. Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters. 


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