Nigeria Offers Break in Fighting; 50 Die

Nigeria held out the prospect of ending fighting in Sierra Leone through dialogue, but the move came too late for 50 refugees who drowned at sea while fleeing the battles. While extending an olive branch, Nigerians leading the regional peacekeeping force reported new gains in their drive to oust the unrecognized army junta in the capital, Freetown. Peacekeeping officials said troops seized a junta stronghold on a hill overlooking the capital and rescued hundreds of trapped civilians. Heavy fighting has spawned mayhem in the capital since Feb. 5. Boat owners said 50 adults and children drowned when their craft capsized off Freetown on Tuesday as they tried to sail to what they had hoped was safety in neighboring Guinea.