Guinea military chief relaxes curfew

The head of Guinea's military relaxed a nationwide curfew Sunday, an indication the government believes the threat of violence following last week's deadly rioting and protests has subsided.

The move may also be a peace offering to union leaders who have demanded that the government lift the "state of siege" imposed Monday night that put the country under martial law.

Guinea is in the midst of a general strike called by unions demanding the president step down or relinquish some of his power. Talks between union leaders and government officials were scheduled to resume Monday.

In declaring martial law, President Lansana Conte warned that the country was in danger of erupting into civil war following days of anti-government protests that led to riots and looting. Government buildings were ransacked throughout the country, and scores died when youths calling for their longtime president to step down clashed with security forces who fired guns.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kerfalla Camara announced in a speech broadcast on radio and television that citizens would be allowed to move freely between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting Monday. The curfew originally only allowed Guineans outside for four hours a day, and was later lengthened to six hours.

"This measure is the result of the effort by each person to return to normal life in the country," Camara said.

Martial law _ which is set to expire Feb. 23 _ also prevents public gatherings and allows security forces to perform random searches. Since its imposition, roadblocks have been set up throughout the capital and military trucks full of arrested youths have become a common sight on the streets. Soldiers have been accused of shooting and raping civilians. The government says it has ordered an investigation into the charges.

Guinea has been in varying degrees of turmoil since mid-January, when the country's two strongest unions called a general strike that they said would last until Conte agreed to leave office. Conte has exercised strict control over the country since seizing power in a coup in 1984.

More than 100 people have died since in two waves of clashes with security forces _ the first during the strike in January and the second last weekend after Conte apparently violated a compromise deal in which he would share power with an independent prime minister. Conte instead named a Cabinet member and longtime ally to the post.

Guinea has not had a prime minister since Conte fired Cellou Dalein Diallo from the post in April.

The unions have complained of economic problems and demanded salary increases and arrears of months of unpaid wages. Recently, they have become increasingly political, saying the country's hardships are symptoms of a corrupt government that neglects its people.

Bordering on war-recovering Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as conflict-divided Ivory Coast, Guinea is seen as a potential flashpoint in an already precarious region. For years, regional experts have warned that Conte's death or ouster could send the country into turmoil.

Guinea's 10 million people are impoverished and many live without the most basic public services, even though the country has half the world's reserves of bauxite, used to produce aluminum.