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DATE=1/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243935
TITLE=U-N / SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN 
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  U-N AID AGENCIES SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY 
THE RECENT UPSURGE OF FIGHTING IN THE WEST-AFRICAN COUNTRY OF 
SIERRA LEONE.  LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N AGENCIES 
SAY RESUMPTION OF HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND THE 
CAPITAL, FREETOWN, WILL BE POSSIBLE ONLY IF THE CEASEFIRE 
ANNOUNCED THURSDAY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND REBEL FORCES HOLDS.
TEXT:  UNICEF, THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND, CALLS THE 
CONFLICT IN SIERRA LEONE ONE OF THE MOST SAVAGE AND POINTLESS IN 
AFRICA'S HISTORY.  IT SAYS THE WAR HAS CAUSED PARTICULAR MISERY 
TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO ARMED COMBAT AND HAVE 
BECOME TARGETS OF HORRIFIC ATROCITIES.  
UNICEF COMMUNICATION'S OFFICER, PATRICK MC CORMICK, SAYS THE 
AGENCY HAS BEEN FORCED TO SUSPEND ITS ACTIVITIES IN FREETOWN AND 
OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE FIGHTING IS UNDERWAY.  BUT HE 
SAYS DURING THE PAST FIVE DAYS, NATIONAL UNICEF STAFF MEMBERS 
HAVE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PEOPLE
AND LOCAL POPULATIONS IN THE TOWNS OF KAMBIA, BO, AND KENEMA.
                     /// MC CORMICK ACT ///
         THIS ASSISTANCE IS IN THE FORM OF VACCINES, CHILDREN'S 
         HEALTH KITS, BLANKETS, CLOTHES, SHELTER MATERIAL, AND 
         CHLORINE FOR PURIFYING WATER SUPPLIES. 
                         /// END ACT ///
THE UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATES 330-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN SIERRA LEONE 
HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE ONGOING CIVIL WAR, AMONG THEM ARE 
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.  
THE U-N WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SAYS IT HAS PLENTY OF FOOD IN 
FREETOWN.  BUT SPOKESPERSON, CHRISTIANE BERTHIAUME, SAYS THE FOOD
CANNOT BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE IN NEED BECAUSE OF THE DANGEROUS 
SECURITY SITUATION REIGNING IN THE CITY.
                     /// BERTHIAUME ACT ///
         WE HAVE IN FREETOWN MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND TONS OF FOOD,
         BUT WE CANNOT DISTRIBUTE IT.  THAT IS THE PROBLEM 
         BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY CONDITIONS.  AND LOCAL STAFF 
         HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS BECAUSE IT'S TOO 
         DANGEROUS. 
                         /// END ACT ///
THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, SAYS SHE 
WELCOMES THE NEWS OF A CEASEFIRE IN SIERRA LEONE AND BELIEVES A 
POLITICAL SOLUTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO PUT AN END TO THIS TRAGIC 
CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.  U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN, KRIS JANOWSKI, SAYS THE 
AGENCY HAS NOT SEEN A MAJOR NEW OUTFLOW OF REFUGEES FROM THE 
COUNTRY.
                      /// JANOWSKI ACT ///
         NONETHELESS, IF THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES AND UNLESS A STOP
         IS PUT TO THE VIOLENCE NOW, VERY SOON, WE MAY SEE MORE 
         REFUGEE FLOWS AND THE DANGER IS VERY REAL AND VERY MUCH 
         THERE.L 
                         /// END ACT ///
THE UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 440-THOUSAND 
SIERRA LEONIAN REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING GUINEA AND LIBERIA.  THIS 
MAKES THEM THE SINGLE LARGEST REFUGEE GROUP ON THE AFRICAN 
CONTINENT.   (SIGNED) 
NEB/LS/RAE
08-Jan-99 8:43 AM EST (1343 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.