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DATE=7/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE FORCE SIZE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264323
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has 
(Tuesday) moved closer to authorizing an increase in 
the size of the Sierra Leone peacekeeping force.  VOA 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.   
TEXT:  In closed session, members of the Council 
discussed the situation in Sierra Leone and ways to 
increase the effectiveness of the U-N peacekeeping 
force there.  Members say there is a consensus that 
the size of the force needs to be raised from 13-
thousand to 16-thousand-five-hundred troops. A 
resolution to do that is expected to be approved by 
next week.
In the eight months since it was first authorized, the 
peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone - known as 
UNAMSIL - has faced constant problems including having 
its troops held hostage and having its weapons and 
equipment seized by rebels. Even now, more than 200 
peacekeepers are being denied freedom of movement in 
rebel-controlled territory.
United States ambassador to the United Nations Richard 
Holbrooke says the Security Council remains firmly 
committed to a successful peacekeeping mission in 
Sierra Leone. Mr. Holbrooke told reporters that 
UNAMSIL's performance must be improved. 
            ///Holbrooke act///
      Our government is of the view that these issues 
      are of such consequence that we have to get them 
      right. We are not happy with UNAMSIL right now. 
      It has not done a good job, there was a 
      consensus on that in the room that the job they 
      have done is inadequate to their mission for 
      very many reasons and that we have to redouble 
      our efforts to find a solution to these 
      problems.
            ///end act///
Regarding the fate of rebel leader Foday Sankoh, Mr. 
Holbrooke repeated the United States position that Mr. 
Sankoh should face some kind of international 
authority on charges of human rights violations. 
However, the American ambassador said establishing 
another formal war crimes tribunal for Mr. Sankoh and 
his associates would be too expensive and time-
consuming. The United States is now consulting with 
international lawyers to devise a Security Council 
resolution that would bring Mr. Sankoh to trial. In 
the meantime, Mr. Sankoh remains in the custody of the 
Sierra Leone government.(Signed)     
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/KBK
11-Jul-2000 16:57 PM EDT (11-Jul-2000 2057 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.