(2 Jun 1997) English/Nat
The American military evacuated several orphans from Sierra Leone on Monday as Nigerian gunships pounded the port capital of Freetown.
It was the first major fighting since the May 25th coup in which mutinous Sierra Leone troops overthrew the West African nation's civilian government.
Coup leader Major Johnny Paul Koroma has received virtually no support for his takeover and faces mounting pressure from Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea.
Eighteen orphaned Sierra Leoneans were evacuated from the capital Freetown to the U-S-S Kearsage.
An American, Pinkie McCann-Willis, who heads the Americans for African Adoption agency, received special permission for the evacuation from the U-S State Department.
She says she filled her truck with orphans and headed for safety.
Pinkie and her cargo of tiny refugees arrived at the Guinean capital tired but safe.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We spent two days hiding from soldiers, and they were looting and raping. It was horrible."
SUPER CAPTION: Pinkie McCann-Willis, Americans for African Adoption
Nigeria's gunships opened fire in the morning, targeting the west end of Freetown where coup leaders have their military headquarters.
Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea have poured in troops since the coup, signaling their readiness to use force if negotiations fail to restore elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.
But coup leader Major Johnny Paul Koroma named himself and his associates to a ruling military council on Sunday, further signaling his reluctance to yield power.
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