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DATE=5/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / SIERRA LEONE (L)
NUMBER=2-262643
BYLINE=EVANS HAYS
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Britain says it has received a request from 
Sierra Leone for arms and ammunition to contain rebels 
of the Revolutionary United Front.  Britain has 
several-hundred of its troops in the country to 
protect the main airport from rebel attacks.  As 
Correspondent Evans Hays in London reports, Britain 
hopes to bring its troops home within a few weeks.
TEXT:  Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon has confirmed 
British newspaper reports that the government of 
Sierra Leone has asked for British arms to deal with 
rebel forces.
            // HOON ACT //
      We had a request from President Kabbah of Sierra 
      Leone that we should consider that, and that is 
      precisely what we are doing.  It is a matter 
      that we are looking at, we will consider it very 
      carefully, and obviously make an appropriate 
      decision in time.
            // END ACT //
Newspaper reports say the British cabinet could begin 
consideration of the request Tuesday.
Mr. Hoon, speaking on British radio, acknowledged the 
government is looking into the question of whether 
supplying arms might lead to more intense fighting in 
Sierra Leone.  He said this is an important issue.
            // 2ND HOON ACT //
      Certainly it is an important factor, but at the 
      same time, of course, President Kabbah was 
      democratically elected.  He has faced one of the 
      most brutal rebel forces that modern history has 
      seen, and frankly they have plenty of 
      comparisons, but we would obviously want to make 
      sure that we can take the right decision given 
      the request that we have received.
            // END 2ND ACT //
Mr. Hoon said plans for the withdrawal of British 
troops from Sierra Leone are on schedule, with the 
build-up of U-N forces going smoothly.  He said the 
British troops could be pulled out in two or three-
weeks.
            // OPT 3RD ACT //
      Well that is certainly the assumption we are 
      working on.  But obviously it is important to 
      take these decisions according to circumstances 
      on the ground.  We want to make sure, for 
      example, that the new U-N reinforcements are 
      deployed effectively and they are doing an 
      effective job.  So there are a variety of 
      factors that we must take account of before we 
      take any final decision to withdraw.
            // END OPT ACT //
Defense Minister Hoon also said London is not re-
thinking its policy on the military's role in Sierra 
Leone.  He said the mission was and will remain to 
evacuate civilians and protect the airport at 
Freetown.   (SIGNED)  
NEB/EH/GE/RAE
22-May-2000 09:46 AM EDT (22-May-2000 1346 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.