DATE=5/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261916
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council tonight
(Tuesday) condemned the recent attacks on U-N
peacekeepers in the western African nation of Sierra
Leone. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the
United Nations.
TEXT: Security Council members held a closed meeting
shortly after reports that 20 members of the United
Nations peacekeeping force, known as UNAMSIL, were
being detained by rebels. The rebels are believed to
be former fighters in the Revolutionary United Front,
or R-U-F, led by Foday Sankoh. The detention of the U-
N personnel follows the shooting and wounding of
another U-N peacekeeper this past weekend.
After receiving a formal report on the situation,
Security Council President Wang Yinfan of China read a
statement to reporters.
/// WANG ACT ///
Council members were briefed on the latest
situation in Sierra Leone and we express our
grave concern with the turn of events in recent
days and we condemn in the strongest terms the
hostile and destructive actions of the R-U-F
against UNAMSIL.
/// END ACT ///
The problems in Sierra Leone came as seven members of
the Security Council prepared for a fact-finding visit
to Congo-Kinshasa where the Council has already
authorized a military observer mission and may approve
an even larger peacekeeping force. Diplomats say
troubles in the Sierra Leone mission, if they
continue, could dampen Council interest in a wider
commitment to Congo. (Signed)
NEB/BA/TVM/PT
02-May-2000 19:19 PM EDT (02-May-2000 2319 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
