DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - SIERRA LEONE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264355
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is rejecting calls for more
U-N peacekeeping troops to go to Sierra Leone, on the
grounds the existing force has serious problems with
its command. V-O-A's David Swan reports from Capitol
Hill.
TEXT: At a Senate hearing (Wednesday) U-N Ambassador
Richard Holbrooke delivered a blunt critique of the
peacekeeping operation, especially its command and
communications structure.
Under these conditions, he says, the United States
will not go along with a plan to boost the force from
13-thousand to 16-thousand soldiers.
// Holbrooke act //
We have told the United Nations that we will not
support an increase when the current deployment is so
messed up. We consider the current U-N performance in
Sierra Leone below the acceptable standards. It is a
command in name only, it is a mess.
// end act //
Other Security Council members say the peacekeeping
army must be larger to become more effective. A
resolution authorizing the bigger force may be
approved by next week.
The U-N mission has suffered a series of problems,
including having its weapons siezed and troops held
hostage. More than two-hundred soldiers are still
denied freedom of movement in rebel-controlled
territory.
Mr. Holbrooke says jailed rebel leader Foday Sankoh
should face an international war-crimes tribunal.
// Holbrooke act //
And we will introduce very soon a Security
Council resolution that extends the international war-
crimes unbrella of Yugoslavia and Rwanda to cover him.
// end act //
The United States initially supported the Lome peace
accord, which brought Sankoh's Revolutionary United
Front into Sierra Leone's government. But Washington
backed away from that stance after the rebels reneged
on the agreement, refused to disarm and took the U-N
hostages.(Signed)
Neb/ds/AMAHL
12-Jul-2000 12:43 PM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1643 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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