'Missing' missionary safe

2002-12-30 18:51

Abidjan - An American missionary reported missing in Ivory Coast's war-torn West is safe, and on his way out of the region, a rebel commander said on Monday.

Circumstances of the disappearance and reappearance of the US missionary doctor - reported out of contact by American authorities for more than a week - were not immediately known.

Rebel Sergeant Felix Doh said that the missionary, Dr William P Foster, would probably arrive in Ivory Coast's southern commercial capital of Abidjan either late on Monday or on Tuesday.

"When I was informed of his presence, I immediately contacted my men on the ground. He wanted to stay but I said he had to go," Doh said.

Officials at the US Embassy in Abidjan declined to comment.

Foster had been living for several years in the western town of Toulepleu, near the border with Liberia. He worked with missionaries, giving medical support to Liberian refugees.

Toulepleu was seized by rebels in November. Two rebel factions are operating in the West and notoriously ill-disciplined Liberian fighters have also joined their ranks.

The US State Department said on Friday it had been notified that an American citizen had been reported missing in Ivory Coast. US officials said they were concerned because they had been out of communication with him.

Foster, who was born in York, Nebraska, belongs to Zion Lutheran Church in Wellington, Colorado. He accepted a volunteer assignment in Ivory Coast in 1996.

In an e-mail sent to church members in October, Foster said Toulepleu was peaceful and shops were open, although the military presence had been beefed up.

"I do miss my family and friends and that makes this hard, probably more so on them than me as I know what we are going through. They and you can only guess. Trust me, we are doing well," he wrote according to a copy of the e-mail on the church's website.

Foster, a French woman and a Lebanese man were all being taken out of the region by the Red Cross, Doh said.

Ivory Coast has plunged into war since September 19, when rebels attempted to oust President Laurent Gbagbo. The rebels behind the coup attempt now hold the northern half of the country, while the two other factions hold large chunks of the West.

More than 2 000 French troops are in the former French colony to enforce an oft-violated ceasefire between the northern rebels and the government. They are also effectively blocking rebel advances in the West.

French troops have also evacuated hundreds of French citizens and other foreign nationals from war zones.

Hundreds have been killed in the fighting and tens of thousands have fled war zones, seeking safety in government-held zones or in neighbouring countries. - Sapa-AP

- SAPA