Militia Advances as Foreigners Flee

Foreigners fleeing fighting in the capital, Brazzaville, said a private militia had gained the upper hand after four days of street clashes with government forces. What began as an attempt by government forces to disarm members of the 5,000-strong militia had evolved into anarchy and a full-scale battle for control of the city, the witnesses said. In Washington, the State Department ordered the departure from Brazzaville of all nonessential U.S. Embassy employees and dependents of embassy personnel.