R 191550Z MAR 09
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TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6121
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JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3//
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SECDEF WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000284 
 
 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR DIR, DIR-J3, DIR-J5 
SECDEF FOR PK/HA, ISA, AFR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC MOPS KPKO
SUBJECT: UN BRIEFING NOTE ON FIELD OPERATIONS 
MARCH 4-10, 2009 
 
¶1.  On March 16, 2009, Security Council President Dabbashi (Libya) 
transmitted the following Briefing Note to the Security Council on 
UN field operations covering the period of March 4-10, 2009. 
 
Africa 
 
--Burundi (BINUB): Despite continued efforts within the framework of 
the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM), no progress 
was made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire 
Agreement including the official start of the DDR process and the 
separation of children associated with the FNL. The FNL had also not 
yet submitted a certified list of combatants to be assembled in the 
pre-Assembly Areas. The Government's Technical Coordination Team to 
oversee the DDR process had not yet been established and the revised 
Presidential decree on the status of FNL combatants has not been 
promulgated. On 5 March, the Minister of Interior met with 29 
registered political parties to discuss how to improve relations 
between political parties, local administrators and law enforcement 
agencies. With regard to the FNL's application to be registered as a 
political party, the Ministry of Interior announced on 9 March that 
the separation of the military and political wings of the movement 
was a precondition for its registration. 
 
--Central African Republic (BONUCA): On 5 and 6 March, mass civilian 
protests broke out in Bangui, following an alleged killing of a 
local police commissioner by a Presidential Guard. Presidential 
Guards were subsequently dispatched to pacify the protests and 
reportedly used live munitions. On 7 March, a civil society 
organization organized a small protest in front of the Libyan 
Embassy in Bangui against recent attacks in the northern provinces 
of the Central African Republic (CAR) by the FDPC rebel group, whose 
leader Abdoulaye Miskine is based in Libya. On the same day, members 
of the DDR Steering Committee visited northwestern town of Bouar in 
order to hand to the rebel fighters encamped in that town 
registration forms for the planned DDR process. On 8 and 9 March, 
President Frangois Boziz visited the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to 
discuss the situation in the CAR. 
 
--Chad/CAR (MINURCAT): On 5 March, a spokesperson for the Union des 
Forces de la Rsistance (UFR) stated that the announcement of an ICC 
arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir was "unjust and 
disproportionate" and blamed President Dby for the crisis in 
Darfur. Despite low-level agitations, the only reported 
demonstration in favour of the ICC decision took place peacefully in 
Djabal IDP camp, Goz Beida, on 5 March. As of 7 March, MINURCAT had 
deployed 567 out of 850 trained Dtachement Intgr de Scurit 
(DIS) elements in eastern Chad. The provision of communication 
equipment for DIS continued. To date, VHF repeaters and radios with 
coverage of up to 45 km have been installed in DIS vehicles deployed 
in 12 police posts and 6 police stations. On 7 March, EUFOR informed 
that it would not conduct operations within 10 km of the Chad-Sudan 
border, citing the mounting tension between the two countries and 
the need to avoid interference with Arme Nationale Tchadienne (ANT) 
operations. During the reporting period, MINURCAT confirmed the 
presence of a number of wounded soldiers among the Justice and 
Equality Movement (JEM) casualties in Iriba hospital following 
clashes between JEM and the Sudanese army in Muhajeria (South 
Darfur) in January. Also during the reporting period, the 
UN-contracted Minetech International (MIT) survey team conducted 
road verifications (Abch - Am Zoer -Guereda), and a series of 
destructions of Explosive Remnant of War (ERW) in Am Zoer and 
Maburuka (10 km south of Abch). On 6 March, MINURCAT undertook a 
series of activities in Abch including an HIV/AIDS sensitization 
campaign, a cleanup of the central prison and the inauguration of 
the prison's infirmary as its contribution to the Chadian National 
Women's Week celebrations. Meanwhile, preparations continued for the 
transfer of authority from EUFOR to MINURCAT on 15 March; 2400 
troops will be under UN command on that date. 
 
--Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI):  On 4 March, Prime Minister Soro officially 
launched the centralization of the State treasury in Bouak. The 
ceremony was attended by zone commanders of the Forces nouvelles 
(FN), representatives of the international community and UNOCI. 
However, the ceremony for the transfer of administrative powers from 
the FN zone commanders to the corps prfectoral, initially scheduled 
to be held on the same day, was postponed. On 4 and 5 March, SRSG 
Choi held meetings with President Gbagbo, the president of the 
opposition party Rassemblement des rpublicains, Alassane Ouattara, 
and the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) 
Mamb, who all indicated their commitment to hold elections in 2009. 
The IEC chairman stated his readiness to soon share publicly an 
electoral timeline, including concrete stages and a number of 
preconditions, such as the deployment to FN-controlled areas of 
magistrates for the appeals and challenges period, the further 
operationalization of the integrated command centre and the 
completion of the reconstitution of lost or destroyed civil 
registers. UNOCI continued to provide logistical support for the 
identification and voter registration operations, focusing on some 
900 registration centres that have not yet opened. As of 10 March, 
5.6 million Ivorians had registered as voters, including 1.2 million 
in FN-controlled areas. 
 
--Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC):  Clashes between FDLR 
and FARDC were reported in different locations in North Kivu. The 
FDLR reportedly attacked civilians, including in Remeka (southwest 
of Masisi), retook its initial position in Ntoto (70 km east of 
Walikale) and reinforced its presence in Shabunda Territory in South 
Kivu. LRA attacks on civilians in Orientale Province and clashes 
between joint Congolese and Ugandan forces and the LRA were also 
reported. Meanwhile, President Kabila met with Ugandan President 
Museveni to discuss the joint operations in the LRA-affected areas 
and the strengthening of their countries' bilateral relations. On 4 
March, in view of the information presented to them, ICC judges 
requested the prosecution to alter the charges against Jean-Pierre 
Bemba to take into account his responsibility as a military leader. 
On 6 March, the South Kivu Amani programme thematic working groups 
agreed that four regrouping centres will be established in the 
province, where identification and registration of combatants would 
take place. On 9 March, President Kabila stated that the joint 
FARDC-RDF operations against the FDLR had been a success and that 
Ugandan troops would leave the DRC by the end of March.   The 
Government of the DRC and CNDP delegations submitted draft peace 
agreements for SESG Obasanjo's review. 
 
--Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS): A mission from the Angolan Government led 
by Vice Minister for External Relations Jorge Chicote visited Bissau 
from 3 to 4 March to assist the Government of Guinea-Bissau 
following the deaths of President Joco Bernardo Vieira and the Chief 
of General Staff, General Tagme Na Waie.  At a press conference held 
on 5 March, the Civil Society Movement condemned the two 
assassinations, and appealed for the establishment of an 
international commission to investigate the assassinations.  They 
further called on the Government and the international community to 
speed up the security sector reform process.  President Vieira was 
buried in the municipal cemetery following his state funeral on 10 
March.  Earlier, there was a state funeral ceremony for the Chief of 
General Staff, General Tagme Na Waie, on 8 March. 
 
--Liberia (UNMIL):  On 7 and 8 March, President Ellen 
Johnson-Sirleaf and President Tarja Halonen of Finland co-chaired an 
International Colloquium for Women's Empowerment, Leadership 
Development, International Peace and Security in Monrovia. Several 
heads of state and other international dignitaries participated in 
the event. On 7 March, approximately 200 former Armed Forces of 
Liberia (AFL) soldiers violently demonstrated in Monrovia, 
protesting against the alleged non-payment of benefits. The Liberian 
National Police (LNP) Police Support Unit intervened to restore 
order and arrested 23 demonstrators. On the same day, some 800 
demonstrators gathered in Monrovia, calling for President Johnson 
Sirleaf to be tried for alleged war crimes in connection with a 
monetary donation given to Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front 
of Liberia by an organization to which she belonged. 
 
--Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL): The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) held 
its Convention in Kenema from 6 to 8 March. In addition to ratifying 
a new constitution, the party conducted elections for its 31 member 
executive council. Mr. John Benjamin, a former Finance Minister, was 
elected as the new Chairman of the party while the present 
Secretary-General, Mr. J.J. Saffa, running unopposed, retained his 
position. The Convention highlighted a clear divide within the party 
between former President Kabbah and his Vice President, Mr. Samuel 
Berewa, and their supporters. Their relationship has become 
increasingly strained since Mr. Berewa's defeat in the 2007 
presidential elections. 
 
--Somalia (UNPOS): President Sharif began a two day official visit 
on 8 March to Kenya where he held discussions with his Kenyan 
counterpart on security issues.  President Sharif reportedly vowed 
to do all in his power to restore peace and stability to Somalia, 
and seek regional support to that end.  He also asked the Somali 
community in Kenya to contribute to the restoration of public 
services and infrastructure in Somalia.  In a meeting in Cairo, the 
League of Arab States foreign ministers welcomed the progress made 
by Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed on reconciliation in the 
country.  The foreign ministers urged the President to continue with 
his efforts, stating that they would condemn any steps meant to 
disrupt the process. 
 
A mass rally was held in Mogadishu by religious leaders and elders 
in support of the peace process and the government of President 
Sharif. On 4 March, a well known Somali cleric of the Ahlu Sunna 
Waljamia Islamist organization, Sheik Ali Afyare, was shot dead by 
three masked men armed with pistols.  The motive behind the killing 
is not known, but it is believed to revolve around the ongoing power 
struggle in central Somalia between the Ahlu Sunna waljamia and 
al-Shabaab. On 9 March, the DSRSG and the UNPOS Military Advisor 
visited Mogadishu for a one day mission. They met several ministers 
at the AMISOM HQ in Mogadishu and discussed critical priorities of 
the new government. 
 
At least 12 people have died following an outbreak of acute watery 
diarrhea (AWD) in villages around the regional capital of Jowhar, 
90km north of Mogadishu.  At least 40,000 displaced Somalis have 
retuned to Mogadishu over the past six weeks. 
 
--Sudan (UNMIS and UNAMID): 
 
On 4 March, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal 
Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar 
Al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity. From 4 March 
and lasting throughout the reporting period, demonstrations took 
place in Khartoum in support of President Bashir and against the 
ICC. They were controlled and non-violent. On the same day as the 
ICC announcement, the National Congress Party (NCP) denounced the 
ICC, but assured continued cooperation with the UN while warning 
against any entity exceeding its mandate in Sudan. On 5 March, 
Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) revoked the registrations 
of 13 INGOs and two national NGOs for allegedly collaborating with 
ICC investigations. At the same time, Government authorities also 
requested the agencies hand over lists of assets and began seizing 
project materials in various locations. The expulsion has created a 
significant gap in the provision of humanitarian assistance 
throughout Sudan; initial estimates indicate that over a million 
people depend on the INGOs for life-sustaining support. On 9 March, 
Popular Congress Party (PCP) leader Hassan Al-Turabi was released, 
having been arrested on 14 January. Immediately following the 
release, Justice Minister Abdul Basit Sabdarat dismissed allegations 
that Turabi's arrest had been politically motivated. 
 
UNMIS 
Throughout the reporting period, the situation in Malakal remained 
stable. On 8 March, a humanitarian assessment mission was launched 
to ascertain the condition of IDPs in Lelo, Malakal Shilluk and 
Werjock, but it was denied freedom of movement by the Sudan People's 
Liberation Army (SPLA). After the matter was reported to the SPLM 
authorities that same day, the Governor of Upper Nile State 
stipulated that an SPLA national monitor will accompany future 
missions to avoid such impediments. The security situation in 
Central Equatoria State remained tense due to four alleged LRA 
attacks that took place between 28 February and 6 March that 
resulted in 13 civilians dead, six injured and seven abducted. On 4 
March in Western Bahar El-Ghazal State (20 km SW of Wau), two 
de-miners were injured when an SPLA soldier opened fire. They were 
treated at Wau Level II hospital. A Ceasefire Joint Military 
Commission (CJMC) investigation of the incident is underway but 
de-mining operations in the area have been suspended. Following the 
withdrawal of an SPLA logistic base from Agok (25 km SE of Abyei) on 
2 March, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) withdrew their remaining 
detachment of ten soldiers from Diffra, completing the withdrawal of 
SAF and SPLA forces from the Abyei Roadmap Area in line with the 8 
June 2008 agreement. Meanwhile, the DDR process in Blue Nile State 
launched on 10 February continues. As of 9 March, a total of 667 
beneficiaries have been disarmed and demobilized. Construction of 
DDR sites in Southern Kordofan State is ongoing. 
 
UNAMID 
The overall security situation in Darfur remained relatively calm. 
Peaceful demonstrations supporting President Bashir took place in El 
Fasher, Nyala, El Geneina and Zalingei between 4 and 8 March. A 
rally on 8 March was attended by 20,000 people at the Government 
military HQ in El Fasher (North Darfur) to welcome President Bashir. 
On 9 March, a UNAMID patrol returning to its base in El Geneina 
(West Darfur) was attacked by unknown men who fired at the vehicle 
with small arms. Four peacekeepers were shot and wounded in the 
attack, one of them seriously. The injured personnel were evacuated 
by helicopter to the Mission's level II hospital in El Fasher where 
their conditions were reported as stable. Also on 9 March in El 
Fasher, a UNAMID vehicle was carjacked by three unidentified armed 
individuals in front of a PAE office near the UNAMID Headquarters. 
On 10 March, a UNAMID Military Observer en route from his residence 
to the Mission team site in El Daein (160 km SE of Nyala, South 
Darfur) was shot at by two armed men, but no serious injuries were 
reported. UNAMID is investigating these incidents. Also on 10 March, 
Joint Chief Mediator Bassol together with officials from the State 
of Qatar held a meeting in Doha with representatives of the 
Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). 
Both parties reiterated their commitment to a peaceful and 
negotiated settlement to the Darfur conflict through the Doha 
process. Throughout the reporting period, UNAMID military and police 
conducted routine confidence-building, escort and night patrols 
throughout all sectors. 
 
Asia and Middle East 
 
--Afghanistan (UNAMA):  In a press conference on 7 March, President 
Karzai accepted the Independent Electoral Commission's 4 March 
decision confirming 20 August as the date for the elections. From 
8-9 March, SRSG Eide visited Teheran to discuss Iran-Afghanistan 
cooperation. On 9 March, he addressed the Economic Cooperation 
Organization's Council of Ministers meeting in Teheran. On 4 March, 
in the central province of Parwan, a suicide attack against a convoy 
in the vicinity of an international military forces base injured 
three contractors travelling in the convoy. On 7 March, in the 
southern province of Nimroz, a suicide attack against an Afghan 
National Police (ANP) station killed two ANP officers and one 
civilian, and injured two ANP officers. The suicide attacker was 
wearing an Afghan National Army (ANA) uniform. On 8 March, in the 
southeastern province of Paktya and the southern province of 
Kandahar, improvised explosive devices killed a total of two 
international military forces officers and wounded another five. 
 
India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP):  During the reporting period, tension 
remained on the Indian-administered side of the Line of Control 
after the reported killing of two youths in Baramulla District in 
February. On 6 March, one person was reportedly killed and at least 
30 others injured in clashes between protesters and the police in 
Srinagar and Baramulla District. On 9 March, two suspected militants 
were reportedly killed in a conflict-related incident in Poonch 
District. 
 
--Iraq (UNAMI): On the occasion of the International Women's Day on 
8 March, UNAMI's SRSG urged Iraqi government to marshal resources to 
ensure women's rightful access to education and health care, and 
offered a UN support to assist in building a 'national strategy' 
safeguarding women's rights. 
 
As part of the UN Country Team's new Marshlands Initiative, DSRSG/ 
HRD hosted the Minister of the Marshlands at a workshop with members 
of the UNCT to outline a development roadmap for the area. Eight UN 
agencies are currently cooperating in the Marshlands Initiative, 
which will bring capacity development and stronger social services 
to this highly under-developed part of Iraq. 
 
On 5 March, the Iraqi parliament passed a US$58.8 billion budget for 
2009 representing a   7% cut from the original plan amid decreasing 
oil revenues. During the reporting period, Iraqi Prime Minister 
al-Maliki addressing Iraq's chieftains conference in Baghdad called 
for a 'comprehensive national reconciliation' urging Iraqis to 
forgive those who served in  the former regime. 
 
--Lebanon (UNIFIL):  UNIFIL discovered an old defensive position in 
Wadi Hamul (Sector West) on 5 March, and two old defensive positions 
in Umm Al Ammad (Sector West) on 
7 March. Nothing suspicious was found in either case. On 5 March, 
the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired warning shots in the air after 
a civilian vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint in the vicinity of 
Tyre (Sector West). On 6 March, the LAF apprehended two Lebanese 
civilians suspected of smuggling contraband in the vicinity of 
Rmeich (Sector West) for investigation. Meanwhile, UNIFIL 
periodically observed civilians armed with hunting rifles in the 
area of operations. On one occasion, a UNIFIL patrol monitoring the 
movements of two civilians carrying hunting rifles was momentarily 
obstructed by two civilian vehicles in the vicinity of Marun Ar Ras 
(Sector West). During the reporting period, UNIFIL observed 46 
violations of Lebanese airspace by the Israel Defense Forces, 
including 12 by fixed-wing aircraft and 34 by drone. 
 
--Lebanon (UNSCOL): A ceremony was held on 9 March to mark the start 
of the reconstruction of the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr el Bared, 
which was destroyed in 2007 during fighting between Fatah el Islam 
and the Army. The beginning of the reconstruction is on target and 
has been made possible by intensive rubble-removal efforts and 
de-mining. 
 
--Nepal (UNMIN): On 10 March, the Maoist army (MaoA) leadership 
issued a press statement suspending a controversial troop 
recruitment drive after the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay 
order to the Government of Nepal and the Army Integration Special 
Committee (AISC) to halt recruitment by both the Nepal Army (NA) and 
MaoA.  There has been no word on whether the NA would also suspend 
its recruitment of new soldiers, which UNMIN has stated is against 
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and other related political 
accords.  The Supreme Court is expected to rule on this politically 
highly sensitive issue soon.  Meanwhile, PM Prachanda held informal 
talks with leaders of the ethnic Tharu groups, in response to their 
protest against being classified as one of the Madhesi cast/ethnic 
groups in a government ordinance on inclusiveness.  The continuing 
strikes called by the various Tharu groups have paralyzed daily life 
in the southern Tarai plains. 
 
--Timor-Leste (UNMIT):  On 4 March, the Council of Ministers 
approved the nomination of opposition Fretilin Secretary-General 
Mari Alkatiri as Timor-Leste's special envoy to explore 
possibilities for technical assistance for reconciliation and 
stabilization in Guinea-Bissau in coordination with the Community of 
Portuguese-speaking Countries. On 5 March, Mario Carrascalco of 
Partido Sosial Democratico, Cristiano da Costa of Unidade Nacional 
Democrtica da Resistncia Timorense and Jose Carrascalco of 
Associagco Social Democrtica Timorence were sworn in as Vice-Prime 
Minister, Vice-Minister for Economy and Development and 
Vice-Minister for Infrastructure, respectively.  On the same day, 
the first meeting of the Democratic Governance Forum series for 2009 
was held in Dili with the theme "Let's Talk with Our Leaders" and 
with President Ramos-Horta as its guest of honour. During a visit to 
Timor-Leste on 6 March, Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon 
opened an Australian-funded military training centre to be used for 
training of the Timorese military.  During his four-day visit to 
Japan, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmco reportedly requested the 
Japanese Government to provide assistance in training the Timorese 
military and Japanese loans to expedite improvement of basic 
infrastructure in Timor-Leste. Japan reportedly agreed to receive 
Timorese military personnel to study at the Japanese National 
Defence Academy starting in April 2010. 
 
--Western Sahara (MINURSO):  On 5 March, MINURSO notified the 
parties of the violations of military agreement No. 1 committed 
since the beginning of 2009, as follows: the Royal Moroccan Army 
committed four violations when it twice failed to provide advance 
notification of military exercises in the limited restriction area, 
when military personnel and equipment entered the buffer strip, and 
when it diverted a section of trenches from their original path; the 
Frente Polisario committed one violation of military agreement No. 1 
when some of its military personnel entered the buffer strip. 
Morocco concluded a month-long voter registration campaign for the 
municipal elections scheduled for 12 June 2009, which are set to 
include the part of the Territory controlled by Morocco, west of the 
berm. 
 
Europe and Latin America 
 
--Cyprus (UNFICYP):   The Island's two leaders met for another round 
of discussions on property matters on 5 March. The situation in the 
buffer zone has remained calm and stable with no serious incident 
reported. 
 
--Georgia (UNOMIG): The Mission observed the presence of armed 
forces and heavy equipment in the zone of conflict, in contravention 
of Article 2 (a) of the 1994 Moscow Agreement.   On the 
Abkhaz-controlled side of the ceasefire line, UNOMIG observed the 
presence of the forces of the Russian Federation with the strength 
of approximately a battalion with 32 BTR-80 armoured personnel 
vehicles and ten T-72 tanks.  The Abkhaz side continued to maintain 
two army platoons with seven T-55 tanks and other heavy equipment in 
the security zone.  Russian military helicopters were also observed 
flying over the security zone.  On the Georgian-controlled side, 
UNOMIG reported the presence of 22 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. 
The Mission continued to raise with both sides the need to ensure 
respect for the Article 2(a) of the Moscow Agreement as provided for 
in Security Council resolution 1866 (2009). 
 
--Haiti (MINUSTAH): On 9 March, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, 
and former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived in Haiti for a two 
day visit. They met with President Prval to discuss the 
socio-economic situation in the country, observing that Haiti offers 
important opportunities for investment, job creation and economic 
growth. In the wake of that meeting, a joint communiqu was issued 
highlighting the need for the international community to continue to 
assist Haiti and for the Haitian authorities to take the appropriate 
measures to ensure a favorable climate to attract potential 
investors. On 4 March, an estimated 1,000 people demonstrated in 
Port-de-Paix (North-West Department) to protest the alleged 
embezzlement of funds, allocated for road repairs, by the local 
mayor. The protestors erected barricades and threw stones. MINUSTAH 
assisted the Haitian National Police at the event. On March 9, the 
Tribunal des Rfrs announced its decision in the case of Fanmi 
Lavalas against the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). The 
tribunal decided in favor of Fanmi Lavalas' appeal against their 
exclusion from the senatorial elections. Later that day, the CEP 
issued a statement in which it reaffirmed its exclusive competence 
on any electoral matter, including electoral litigation and 
complaints. 
 
--Kosovo (UNMIK): This week, EULEX judges started their first trial 
at the courthouse in Mitrovica, following earlier Kosovo Serb 
protests in front of the courthouse. The trial took place without 
interruptions. On 5 March, the Kosovo Police Commander, accompanied 
by the head of EULEX Police, paid a visit to Gate 1 in northern 
Kosovo. Hundreds of Kosovo Serbs gathered to protest the visit, 
blocking the roads and the entrance to police stations in the north. 
Throughout the week, Kosovo Serbs from villages in central and 
eastern Kosovo demonstrated against the decision of the Kosovo 
Energy Corporation (KEK) to cut off electricity supply in the 
respective communities due to unpaid bills. The demonstrators 
clashed with the Kosovo Police as they tried to block main roads. 
The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs asked UNMIK to investigate 
the reasons for the power cuts as well as allegations of excessive 
use of force by the Kosovo Police, while the Serbian Minister for 
Kosovo called for urgent UNMIK and EULEX involvement in finding a 
solution for the electricity problems of the Kosovo Serb community. 
On 10 March, KEK restored power supply in one Kosovo Serb village 
after nine days; demonstrations over the electricity cuts continued 
elsewhere. 
 
End text. 
 
¶3. Minimize considered. 
 
RICE