DATE=5/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE U-N TROOPS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262768
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The President of the United Nations Security
Council says he expects quick approval of additional
peacekeeping troops for Sierra Leone. VOA
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations.
TEXT: After a three hour closed-door meeting on Sierra
Leone, Council President Wang Yingfan of China told
reporters the request for additional troops will be
acted on "shortly." In a report to the Council on
Monday, U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the size
of the U-N force in Sierra Leone should rise from 13-
thousand to 16-thousand-five hundred troops.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, Mr. Wang again
issued an appeal for the release of the more than two
hundred peacekeepers still held by rebels of the
Revolutionary United Front, or R-U-F.
///Wang act///
The Council members demand that R-U-F release
immediately and unconditionally all remaining
detainees. We call on all those with influence
with the R-U-F, including President Taylor of
Liberia, to insist that this take place
forthwith.
///end act///
Earlier, U-N Secretary-General Annan quoted President
Taylor as saying more of the U-N detainees should be
released by the end of the week.
The kidnappings and disarming of U-N troops by rebels
in Sierra Leone sparked widespread criticism of the
peacekeeping mission. Some say the peacekeepers were
completely unprepared for rebel attacks, something
that should have been anticipated.
Mr. Annan has said that some important lessons must be
learned from the experience in Sierra Leone. He will
be sending a high-level team to Sierra Leone to
identify problems in the mission and make
recommendations for the future. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/BS/KBK
24-May-2000 15:05 PM EDT (24-May-2000 1905 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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