12 May 2000
Text: U.S. Deputy Rep. to U.N. Issues Statement on Sierra Leone
(Cunningham says situation poses threat to regional peace) (1140) The United States government and its people view the recent tragic events in Sierra Leone with "shock and dismay," U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations James Cunningham told the Security Council on May 11. In remarks to an urgent meeting of the council at U.N. headquarters in New York, Cunningham said that "Despite the presence of more than 8,500 U.N. peacekeepers, those who oppose peace in Sierra Leone, especially the Revolutionary United Front rebels, have initiated new attacks and detained hundreds of U.N. and other international personnel. "Such actions," he stressed, "are totally unacceptable" and pose a "threat to peace and security" to the West African region. Such actions "must be brought to an end," he said. Following is the text of Cunningham's remarks as prepared for delivery: (begin text) May 11, 2000 Statement by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN Security Council Emergency Open Meeting on Sierra Leone, May 11, 2000 Mr. President, Unfortunately, the Security Council is meeting in emergency session tonight because a grave crisis is under way in Sierra Leone. Unfolding events threaten yet again to undermine the democratically-elected government of President Kabbah. Renewed violence has initiated another round of terrible human suffering for the people of Sierra Leone, a people who have suffered too much already. The American Government and the American people have viewed events in Sierra Leone with shock and dismay. Despite the presence of more than 8,500 U.N. peacekeepers, those who oppose peace in Sierra Leone, especially the Revolutionary United Front rebels, have initiated new attacks and detained hundreds of U.N. and other international personnel. Such actions are totally unacceptable; this threat to peace and security must be brought to an end. We all know that peacekeeping is inherently risky. We commend UNAMSIL and its troops, and the secretary general and his staff, for their commitment, and for their attempts to respond to the difficult situation in which they have found themselves. Mr. President, We must be clear that the fault for the current tragedy in Sierra Leone lies with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and its leader, Foday Sankoh, for their violations of the commitments undertaken in the Lome Peace Agreement. Mr. President, Unless the situation is resolved and the peace process put back on track: -- we could be faced with a resumption of one of the most ruthless and brutal rebellions in the world; -- the conflict could spill over Sierra Leone's borders, engulfing neighboring states and threatening stability throughout West Africa; -- we could face a general reluctance to support UN peacekeeping in Africa. Mr. President, We strongly support the UN peacekeepers. They were organized and sent to Sierra Leone not to impose a settlement, not to enforce the peace, but to assist in the implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement, an accord the RUF signed, then violated, and finally subverted by launching their recent attacks. RUF actions against the members of the UN peacekeeping force, UNAMSIL, are outrageous, and in direct violation of the Lome Peace Agreement. Acting as ECOMOG withdrew and before UN forces were deployed, the RUF acted in a deliberate, cynical manner to subvert and reverse the peace process. Mr. President, The United States calls on the RUF immediately to release all detainees, cease all military operations, comply with their commitments under the Lome Peace Agreement, and respect all applicable norms of international human rights and humanitarian law. We concur with the view expressed by regional leaders at the ECOWAS heads of state summit in Abuja on May 9, condemning the actions of the RUF. We note ECOWAS heads of state warned the RUF leadership that "it runs the risk of revocation of the amnesty earlier granted to the members of the movement under the Lome Peace Agreement as well as being tried for war crimes if they continue to flout the Lome Peace Agreement". We welcome the decision reached in Abuja to convene a special meeting of ECOWAS defense ministers on May 17 to consider the practical modalities should ECOMOG forces renew their involvement in Sierra Leone. We commend the leadership demonstrated by the regional states and by ECOWAS in promoting political and diplomatic initiatives to stabilize the situation. We support them. My government is seized with this issue at the highest levels. Secretary Albright has been in regular contact with the Secretary-General. President Clinton also reviewed the situation with Mr. Annan this morning. We are consulting closely with the secretariat. President Clinton has asked the Reverend Jesse Jackson, his special envoy for the promotion of democracy and human rights in Africa, to return to the region to work with leaders there for a resolution of this crisis. Reverend Jackson has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to help the people of Sierra Leone to realize their peaceful intentions. Mr. President, We have intensified our continuing collaboration at the highest levels with the government of Sierra Leone, with the UN in New York and Freetown, with other regional leaders, and with our British colleagues. In that regard, we join others in acknowledging the important UK contribution in securing Lungi Airport. Our Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Joseph Melrose, remains in Freetown and is in constant communication with the government of Sierra Leone and other key officials. Our focus continues to be finding the best possible practical measures to seek the release of all UN and other international personnel who remain detained, to protect civilians, to restore stability, and to reinforce the international presence in Sierra Leone. The United States will assist the deployment of additional troops for UNAMSIL. We are working hard with other interested states to find ways to accelerate the deployment of remaining battalions. Mr. President, The United States is prepared to help transport additional troops to Sierra Leone. We also are examining the possibilities of providing equipment support for the international forces in Sierra Leone. We are now determining the kinds and quantities of equipment that can be most helpful. We are working to develop a coordinated approach with other member states for delivery. We intend to support the commitment West African nations have made to send additional, troops to Sierra Leone. A U.S. military team is in Nigeria to determine what assistance may be needed. The United States remains committed to working in partnership with Africa. We will continue our efforts to support and strengthen African regional organizations and initiatives, and their ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability throughout the region. Thank you. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. De Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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