Vanuatu rebels on run after clash

Press, 13 August 1980, Page 9

Vanuatu rebels on run after clash

NZPA-Reuter Port Vila The police and secessionists on the island of Espiritu Santo have clashed for the first time and British Marines are helping to search for the rebels. Peter Taurakoto, secretary to the Rev. Walter Lini, Prime Minister of newlyIndependent Vanuatu, said several policemen received minor cuts when rebels rammed a stolen truck into a police Land-Rover yesterday. Members of the police mobile unit on Monday fired tear-gas to disperse rebels who fired a shot at them in Luganville, the main town of Santo where secessionists seized control in May, he added. British Marines and French paratroops landed on Santo shortly before the for-

mer New Hebrides became Vanuatu on July 30. Mr Taurakoto said that the police were now patrolling Luganville accompanied by British Marines, and looking for . the rebels. Father Lini had ordered their arrest.

The spokesman added that extra riot police were being sent to Santo from the neighbouring island of Male-1 kula.

The first clash on Monday came when the police saw some rebels driving into Luganville in a vehicle that previously belonged to the British police on Santo.

The vehicle stopped outside the headquarters of Vemerana, the rebels’ political party, and when the police approached a shot was fired at them. The rebels fled into the bush when the police -replied

with tear-gas. No-one was hurt in the incident, Mr Taurakoto said.

Yesterday, the rebels rammed the police Land-Rover with a truck stolen from an Australian trading company. The rebels escaped and the police, who received minor cuts, were treated in a clinic run by the British Marines. The Anglo-French force 'has not moved to crush the rebellion, It is expected to be removed soon at the Vanuatu Government’s request and will be replaced by more than 200 troops from Papua New Guinea. Vanuatu said on Monday that 26 foreigners who it alleged were backing the rebels had been told they would be expelled unless they left of their own accord.

The foreigners are French except for two Australians.