Colombia rebels, army clash
BOGOTA --(EFE)-- At least 43 soldiers were wounded and several were
reportedly killed in intense combat between leftist guerrillas and army
troops in the
northwestern jungles.
Reports broadcast by local radio stations Sunday said ``many soldiers and
rebels
died'' in the fighting, and that two military helicopters had been hit
by rebel fire.
The combat was the fiercest since President Andres Pastrana was sworn in
on
Aug. 7.
Some 600 Revolutionary Armed Forces rebels and three army battalions were
involved in the combat, which began Friday in the Tamborales region along
the
border between the provinces of Antioquia and Choco.
The commander of the armed forces, Gen. Fernando Tapias, is expected to
head
to Tamborales on Sunday to personally assess the combat, according to official
sources.