U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED FOR RESTRAINT FROM GUINEAN AUTHORITIES ON TUESDAY AFTER AT LEAST NINE PEOPLE DIED AROUND THE WEST AFRICAN COUNTRY WHEN SOLDIERS FIRED ON STUDENTS DURING A GENERAL STRIKE, REUTERS REPORTED. BANKS, GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND BUSINESSES IN THE DECAYING CAPITAL CONAKRY REMAINED SHUT BY THE STRIKE, NOW IN ITS SIXTH DAY, WHICH WAS CALLED TO PROTEST AGAINST THE POOR ECONOMIC RECORD OF PRESIDENT LANSANA CONTE. SHOTS ECHOED ACROSS THE TROPICAL PORT CITY THROUGH THE NIGHT AND POLICE PATROLLED STREETS, QUESTIONING ANYONE FOUND OUTSIDE. "THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE KILLINGS OF APPROXIMATELY 10 STUDENTS DURING THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN GUINEA," U.N. CHIEF SPOKESMAN STEPHANE DUJARRIC SAID IN A STATEMENT ISSUED IN NEW YORK. "HE UNDERLINES THE NEED FOR THE NON-VIOLENT RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES AND CALLS ON THE AUTHORITIES TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT." AUTHORITIES HAVE BLAMED THE OPPOSITION FOR INCITING VIOLENCE DURING MONDAY'S STUDENT PROTESTS AGAINST THE POSTPONEMENT OF EXAMS.
