Man (Fides Service) - Ever more dramatic news reports arrive from Ivory Coast in the grip of civil war. "Today the government began recruiting 3,000 young men to send to the western front" a local contact told Fides Service. "The troops are needed to fight new rebels groups in the west claiming to support general Robert Guei, killed during an attempted coup on 19 September this year. On the diplomatic front talks between the government and the rebels are at a standstill. Now it is feared that the two rebels fronts will join forces with serious consequences for the whole country." In this situation of fear and uncertainty people cling even closer to the Church which continues to offer assistance especially through the missionaries who are at their posts despite the danger. Although in the north rebels have so far respected the civilian population and civil and church structures, in the west there are reports of looting and violence against civilians. Fides Service sources speak of "reports of widespread sacking in Man, even diocesan offices were robbed of everything". (Fides Service 10/12/2002)