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DATE=3/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260142
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Sierra Leone's rebel leader Foday Sankoh came 
under heavy criticism Monday at a meeting of the 
United Nations Security Council.  The meeting was 
called to review U-N peacekeeping activities in that 
West African nation.  V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery 
reports from the United Nations.
TEXT:  U-N Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping 
Hedi Annabi told the Council that U-N peacekeeping 
troops in Sierra Leone have been interfered with and 
denied access to some areas by the Revolutionary 
United Front, led by Mr. Sankoh.  Despite the rebel 
leader's public statements supporting the peace 
agreement in Sierra Leone, Mr. Annabi said, Mr. Sankoh 
has given mixed signals to his followers.
The Undersecretary-General said the disarmament 
program in Sierra Leone is not going well.  He told 
the Council both the quality and number of weapons 
surrendered by the rebels to U-N troops is low.
Britain's U-N ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock, recently 
returned from a visit to Sierra Leone where he met 
with Mr. Sankoh.  Mr. Greenstock told reporters he 
believes the rebel leader may not have completely 
given up a military option.
                /// GREENSTOCK ACT ///
      I think there is an element in his thinking that 
      he must retain a military option somehow.  That 
      is absolutely unacceptable to the U-N that any 
      of the parties who have signed an agreement 
      should in some way be retaning their armed 
      forces or their weaponry.
                   /// END ACT ///
Mr. Greenstock says he detected a strong desire for 
peace among the people of Sierra Leone, and adds that 
Mr. Sankoh might have a chance of winning a free 
election if he fully cooperates with the peace 
process.
The Security Council issued a formal statement 
specifically calling on Mr. Sankoh's followers to 
surrender their weapons.
Most members of the Security Council also drew 
attention to the lack of resources for the U-N 
peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone.  The number of 
U-N troops there is still about four-thousand short of 
the 11-thousand-100 that have been authorized.  In 
addition, funds for humanitarian relief are running 
low.  A conference of donor nations for Sierra Leone 
is scheduled for London on March 27th.   (Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/WTW
13-Mar-2000 17:26 PM EDT (13-Mar-2000 2226 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.