DATE=5/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE EVACUATIONS (S&L)
NUMBER=2-262115
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=FREETOWN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: British Army helicopters have started
evacuating British nationals from Sierra Leone. The
British government has sent a 500-member rapid
reaction force to the West African country, where a
year-old peace process is on the verge of collapse.
V-O-A's John Pitman has details from Freetown.
TEXT: Huge double-rotored Chinook helicopters began
ferrying evacuees from the United Nations peacekeeping
headquarters to Freetown's international airport,
which has been secured by the British Army.
A total of 500 British paratroopers have been
dispatched to Sierra Leone, but London says their
troops' job will not extend beyond the protection and
evacuation of British nationals.
The United Nations has expressed an interest in
Britain sending soldiers to reinforce the UNAMSIL
peacekeeping mission. But on Monday, British foreign
secretary Robin Cook made it clear this operation did
not represent a "long-term commitment."
/// OPT /// The British Navy has also dispatched an
aircraft carrier, a frigate, and several support ships
to the waters off Sierra Leone. They are expected to
arrive in the coming days. /// END OPT ///
The United States is also evacuating some of its
nationals from Freetown, which was the scene of a
bloody shooting Monday, when gunmen loyal to rebel
leader Foday Sankoh opened fire on a crowd of
protesters.
/// REST OPT FOR LONG VERSION ///
U-N Secretary General Koffi Annan has appealed for
additional troops to back-up the eight-thousand-700-
man UNAMSIL mission. But Britain, France, and the
United States have expressed reservations about
deploying troops alongside the blue helmets. For its
part, the United States has said it will only consider
assisting UNAMSIL with logistical support.
On Monday, U-S Secretary of State Madeline Albright
told reporters in Washington that the United States
would not withdraw its support for the U-N mission,
despite the difficulties currently faced by the
peacekeepers. (Signed)
NEB/jp/gm
08-May-2000 16:27 PM EDT (08-May-2000 2027 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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