DATE=1/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE-U-N PEACEKEEPERS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258013
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is
considering a plan to almost double the size of the U-
N peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone. V-O-A
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports on today's
(Wednesday's) meeting at the United Nations.
TEXT: In private consultations, members of the
Council discussed the latest report on Sierra Leone
from U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Mr. Annan says
that although there has been progress in enforcing the
cease-fire agreement in that West African nation, he
is worried about the withdrawal of Nigerian troops
that have been acting as military observers in Sierra
Leone.
Mr. Annan says the withdrawal of the Nigerian soldiers
puts more pressure on the almost five-thousand U-N
peacekeeping troops now in Sierra Leone. He
recommends increasing the authorized strength of that
force, known as UNAMSIL, from six-thousand to 11-
thousand-100. The Secretary-General says the larger
number is needed to keep Sierra Leone's peace process
"on track."
Britain's U-N Ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock, told
reporters his country has already drafted a resolution
to fulfill Mr. Annan's request.
/// GREENSTOCK ACT ///
We will be taking this forward over the next few
days. It is a complicated business, not least
financially, and in terms of legislative
procedures, to get these things through the
Council. So that is why we have acted quickly on
This, and we aim to keep going until we have an
expanded UNAMSIL on the ground.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Greenstock said the peace process in Sierra Leone
is now at a "fragile" stage. If the Security Council
approves the increase in troops for Sierra Leone, the
operation there will be the largest current U-N
peacekeeping force. (Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/JP
12-Jan-2000 17:13 PM EDT (12-Jan-2000 2213 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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