DATE=6/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE - U-N (L)
NUMBER=2-263111
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Sierra Leone, United Nations peacekeepers
are digging in at a strategic cross-roads they fought
to retake from rebel units Friday night. VOA's John
Pitman has more from our West Africa bureau.
TEXT: A U-N spokesman says peacekeepers from the
Indian contingent used heavy machine guns in what he
called a "vigorous" engagement with the rebels.
Spokesman David Wimhurst provided few details of the
battle Friday night at Rogberi Junction, about 70
kilometers north-east of the capital, Freetown. But
he said the U-N troops had not suffered any
casualties.
According to news reports from Freetown, the rebels
used rocket propelled grenades and machine guns
against the peacekeepers, before retreating.
Rogberi Junction lies on the main highway linking
Freetown to the interior. In the last month, it has
changed hands several times and seen several pitched
battles.
The U-N peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone, known as
UNAMSIL, had an outpost in Rogberi Junction until
early May. But the peacekeepers were forced to
withdraw from the area under heavy rebel attack.
Logistics problems also dogged the peacekeepers, some
of whom reportedly ran out of ammunition as they
fought to defend their position.
Up to five Zambian UNAMSIL soldiers are believed to
have been killed in the fighting in early May.
Rogberi Junction has also been a deadly area for
journalists and government troops.
Late Friday night, spokesman David Wimhurst said
UNAMSIL was returning to Rogberi Junction in force and
would dig strong defensive positions there.
The peacekeepers more robust strategy of engaging the
rebels on their own turf follows a month of setbacks
and embarrassments for the United Nations, including
the detention of nearly 500 of its troops by the
rebels.
///Opt/// Last week, the last of the UNAMSIL
peacekeepers were released, but the United Nations
says the rebels continue to surround about 250
peacekeepers in the eastern part of Sierra Leone.
///End Opt///
The successful redeployment to Rogberi Junction also
comes as a high-level U-N delegation visits Sierra
Leone to investigate what went wrong in the early
stages of UNAMSIL's deployment.
///Opt/// The delegation, led by former assistant U-N
secretary general Manfred Eisele, is expected to
present its findings and recommendations in about a
week. ///End Opt///
As UNAMSIL steps up the pressure on the rebels, pro-
government troops are expected to press their military
offensive further east, into the diamond-rich rebel
heartland.
The town of Lunsar is an obvious next target.
Government troops recaptured Lunsar last Monday, but
were forced to withdraw on Wednesday when they ran out
of ammunition during a rebel counter-attack. (Signed)
NEB/JP/PLM
NEB/WTW/
03-Jun-2000 07:48 AM EDT (03-Jun-2000 1148 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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