Geneva — The following document was released by the International Committee of the Red Cross on October 16, 1998:
The members of the delegation representing the opposition forces at peace talks on Guinea-Bissau that took place in Abidjan in mid-September were stranded for three weeks in Banjul, Gambia, after problems arose in obtaining safety guarantees for their return by air over the zone held by Guinea-Bissau government troops. The Guinea-Bissau authorities therefore asked the ICRC, which has been present in the country since the rebellion began, to arrange for the delegation to travel between the capital Bissau - a seaport and therefore accessible from international airspace - and the rebel-held area. Acting as a neutral intermediary, the ICRC obtained the consent of both parties for its plan to provide safe passage.
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