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DATE=5/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / SIERRA LEONE (L)
NUMBER=2-262384
BYLINE=EVANS HAYS
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  The British government says it has no 
intention of committing its troops to a combat role in 
Sierra Leone's civil war.  V-O-A's Evans Hays in 
London reports British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon 
outlined the government position during remarks 
(Monday) in Parliament.
TEXT:  Mr. Hoon said the British government has a 
clear and unambiguous policy for its troops in Sierra 
Leone - to secure the international airport at the 
capital, Freetown, and to evacuate civilians.
The defense secretary was responding to critics who 
charge that the British government has no clear policy 
on Sierra Leone.  Some members of the opposition 
Conservative Party have expressed concern that British 
troops may become a full participant in the war. 
Mr. Hoon dismissed these concerns.
            /// HOON ACT ///
      British forces were deployed to allow the safe 
      evacuation of British nationals and other 
      entitled personnel.  Essential to this has been 
      the task of securing (Freetown's) Lungi Airport, 
      which as the (British) foreign secretary said, 
      will be extremely valuable in allowing United 
      Nations forces to build up to their mandated 
      strength over the next month.
            /// END ACT ///
The defense secretary said that while British troops 
are not intended to take on a combat role, they can 
defend themselves as needed, and have the firepower to 
do so.
In a reference to the duration of the British military 
role in Sierra Leone, Mr. Hoon dismissed fears by some 
that the troops are on an open-ended mission.
            /// HOON ACT TWO //
      I recognize that there have been questions about 
      the length of our commitment.  The United 
      Nations plan to build up their forces to their 
      authorized level of about 11-thousand over the 
      next month.  We would expect that once the 
      United Nations mission has been reinforced by 
      these troops, our role at the airport would no 
      longer be required.  I can assure the House (of 
      Commons) that U-K forces will stay no longer 
      than is necessary.
            /// END ACT /// 
But the defense secretary said a military pullout 
would not mean an end to Britain's diplomatic and 
political support for both the United Nations and for 
Sierra Leone.   (SIGNED)
NEB/EH/JWH/RAE
15-May-2000 13:30 PM EDT (15-May-2000 1730 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.