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The European Union Electoral Observation Mission [EUEOM] yesterday sent a two member delegation to monitor the situation in Jaffna, where the LTTE is carrying out indiscriminate artillery attacks aimed at disrupting the October 10 general election. "The LTTE renewed attacks on non-military targets last Saturday," military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne said yesterday. He said that more civilians have fled their homes in the Thennamarachchi [North] and Vadamarachchy [South] because of the indiscriminate artillery attacks by the LTTE. According to him, approximately 300 families have been forced to flee artillery attacks, since the terrorist attacks have begun. He also said that the EUEOM delegation would be able to see the situation for themselves, especially the attempts of the LTTE terrorists to disrupt the general elections in Jaffna. EUEOM has deployed 28 Long Term Observers [LTOs], in teams of two. Two LTOs left Trincomalee in the civilian passenger vessel "City of Trinco" on Wednesday. They are expected to be at their base to start work by today, revealed EUEOM spokesman Peter Cross. He said that the EUEOM would not use military aircraft or any other government or military vehicle. The delegation is to be based in Jaffna. But the team would travel extensively in the Jaffna electoral district and if possible visit areas that are outside government control. "They will be there till the election day," Mr. Cross said. According to him, 40 more observers described as Short Term Observers [STOs] are scheduled to arrive in Colombo on Wednesday. They will be briefed today and deployed on the following day, he said. The STOs will be deployed in areas where the LTOs believe there could be serious problems. He also stressed that are determined to work amidst whatever the limitations, to guarantee a free and fair general election. Meanwhile, Brigadier Karunaratne said that security forces have been able bring the situation under control, despite indiscriminate artillery attacks of the LTTE. He said that the security forces in Jaffna would do everything possible to hold the general election. There were over 148,000 families in the government held area in the Jaffna electoral district.
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