DATE=5/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262751
BYLINE=EVANS HAYS
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The British Defense Ministry has confirmed
that British forces in Sierra Leone are distributing
weapons to Sierra Leone army troops to aid their fight
against rebels. As VOA's Evans Hays reports from
London, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon says the weapons,
along with military training, are intended to help
create a modern and effective army in the war torn
African nation.
TEXT: In a statement to Parliament Tuesday, Defense
Secretary Hoon announced that Britain will play a
major role in training Sierra Leone's army.
He said a 90-man, international training team led by
Britain, will be arriving in the capital, Freetown
very soon. In addition, Britain will provide weapons
and ammunition as needed to troops battling rebels of
the Revolutionary United Front.
// 1st Hoon Act //
The training team is part of the government's wider
program of assistance in helping the government of
Sierra Leone restore peace and stability after eight
years of brutal civil war. Given the return to
violence by the R-U-F, we will also be giving the
Sierra Leone Army access, if needed for operations and
under the supervision of British officers, to stocks
of light weapons and ammunition.
// End Act //
The British Defense Ministry says some of those
weapons are already being handed out.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair says Britain
wants to help Sierra Leone construct what he termed a
responsible army. The spokesman (Alastair Campbell)
says every effort will be made to ensure that British
weapons do not end up in the hands of child soldiers.
/// rest opt ///
Earlier in the day, British Foreign Secretary Robin
Cook said London favors an African peace force in
Sierra Leone.
// 1st Cook Act //
For a long time we have taken the position, not just
in relation to Sierra Leone, but also in relation to
other countries in Africa, that European troops in the
front line are not necessarily helpful in achieving
the reduction of tension that a U-N force should also
be aiming at.
// End Act //
Mr. Cook said it is better if African troops are on
the front lines facing African situations, with
European forces providing the necessary support.
(Signed)
NEB/EH/GE/KBK
24-May-2000 11:25 AM EDT (24-May-2000 1525 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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