DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / SIERRA LEONE (L)
NUMBER=2-262476
BYLINE=EVANS HAYS
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The British government says its soldiers in
Sierra Leone came under attack early Wednesday from
rebels of the Revolutionary United Front. V-O-A's
Evans Hays in London reports British Defense Secretary
Geoff Hoon says the troops returned fire, killing four
rebels.
TEXT: The attack came as the British paratroopers
were on patrol several kilometers from the airport at
the capital, Freetown.
Defense Secretary Hoon told Britain's Sky Television
there was a brief but intense firefight. He said none
of the British soldiers was injured.
/// HOON ACT ONE ///
Well, at around 5:45 this morning, a routine
patrol in the approaches to the airport came
under fire from a group of rebels. They
returned fire as they are entitled to do with
their rules of engagement and in the course of
what was an intense firefight, some rebels were
killed. There were no British casualties.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Hoon said Britain has made clear its forces will
keep the airport at Freetown secure and will defend
themselves as needed. He said the mission of British
troops is dangerous, but it is important.
/// HOON ACT TWO ///
We always knew there was a volatile and
dangerous situation, that securing the airport
was an important contribution to preserving
peace and stability in Sierra Leone, not only to
allow for evacuation, but also to the
reinforcement of the U-N contingent.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Hoon denied that Wednesday's clash has turned the
British mission in Sierra Leone into a political
involvement.
/// HOON ACT THREE ///
They're fulfilling a valuable role in making
sure that extra troops can get into Sierra Leone
to bring the U-N force up to its authorized
number, to make sure that the U-N forces there
already can disperse away from the airport to
fulfill other responsibilities. So it's a very
practical contribution, in fact.
/// END ACT ///
The defense secretary says the plan remains to have
British forces out of Sierra Leone within about a
month. (Signed)
NEB/EH/JP
17-May-2000 11:28 AM EDT (17-May-2000 1528 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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