DATE=5/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N/ SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262113
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
has called once again for a rapid reaction force to
help peacekeepers in Sierra Leone curb the
deteriorating situation in the West African nation.
Correspondent Barbara Schoetzau reports.
TEXT: Britain, France and the United States have
already rejected the idea of participating in a rapid
reaction force. But in a statement issued through U-N
spokesperson Fred Eckhard, Mr. Annan says the
situation in Sierra Leone requires immediate
assistance from the few nations that have a rapid
reaction capacity.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
In the circumstances, the Secretary General
continues to stress, in addition to U-N efforts,
a rapid reaction force may be needed in Sierra
Leone as soon as possible to assist and restore
conditions conducive to the resumption of the
peace process.
/// END ACT ///
In his statement, Mr. Annan also asks leaders of the
region to intensify their efforts to bring the
situation under control, and he urges the rebel
Revolutionary United Front and its leader, Foday
Sankoh, to immediately halt hostile actions.
Mr. Sankoh and elected President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah
signed a peace agreement one year ago. R-U-F rebels
are believed to have abducted about 500 U-N
peacekeepers. Mr. Eckhard says U-N officials have
been able to establish contact with only 200 of them.
The United Nations spokesperson says U-N officials
have no idea why the peacekeepers are being detained.
But he says the role of U-N peacekeepers is to calm
the situation, not to fight. That, he says, is why a
rapid reaction force is needed. (Signed)
NEB/NYC/BJS/LSF/WTW
08-May-2000 16:09 PM EDT (08-May-2000 2009 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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