Salvadorean guerrillas capture important city

Salvadorean Defense Minister Jose Guillermo Garcia Wednesday confirmed the fall of Berlin city to leftist guerrilla forces, as government infantrymen tried to recapture the important center. Berlin is the second-largest city in the strategic southeastern province of Usulutan.

It was taken after fierce battles in which, according to the insurgents' Radio Venceremos, at least 22 people were killed. Residents contacted by telephone estimated about a third of the 30,000 inhabitants had fled during the fighting.