DATE=7/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SIERRA LEONE / U-N (L)
NUMBER=2-264452
BYLINE=PURNELL MURDOCK
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations forces in Sierra Leone have
rescued more than 200 peacekeeping troops trapped in a
rebel stronghold in the eastern part of the country.
V-O-A correspondent Purnell Murdock has details from
our West Africa bureau.
TEXT: United Nations officials in the Sierra Leonean
capital, Freetown, say the operation was launched
early Saturday morning after the trapped peacekeepers
sent a distress call that they were running out of
food and medicine.
U-N peacekeeping mission spokeswoman Hirut Befecadu
told V-O-A that Revolutionary United Front rebels put
up no resistance as the 222 soldiers and 11 U-N
military observers were escorted from their camp in
the eastern town of Kailahun. But she said there were
some skirmishes between the rebels and U-N soldiers
leading up to the rescue mission.
/// Befecadu Act ///
The peacekeepers were assisted by other
battalions and Quick Reaction companies that
joined them, and wherever there was resistance
on the road, they were able to defend
themselves.
/// End Act ///
The Sierra Leone rebels had encircled the U-N camp
since May. But they allowed the U-N troops to keep
their weapons and receive food and medical supplies.
U-N spokeswoman Hirut Befecadu said the rebels stopped
those supplies from reaching the soldiers two weeks
ago.
/// Befecadu Act Two ///
Up to now, we've been able to maintain
negotiations peacefully and we've been trying to
do our best to get this thing resolved
peacefully. But now the R-U-F rebels have
resorted to saying that we could not give them
(the trapped peacekeepers) food and medication.
So we were forced to use a military operation to
withdraw them.
/// End Act ///
The peacekeeping soldiers were in the rebel stronghold
to disarm the rebels according to a 1999 peace deal.
They became trapped after the rebels refused to give
up their weapons and resumed the civil war.
U-N spokeswoman Hirut Befecadu told V-O-A the
withdrawal of the peacekeeping force is not a retreat.
/// Befecadu Act Three ///
No, it does not mean that. It only means that
there are troops that have been moved now, and
will be (re-) deployed -- because they are
United Nations peacekeepers -- where we will
have plans for them.
/// End Act ///
The more than 200, mostly Indian peacekeepers, were
among the last of several hundred U-N soldiers who had
been held hostage by the Revolutionary United Front
rebels since the 1999 Lome peace accord collapsed in
May.
Last month, the rebels freed some 500 U-N peacekeepers
captured in May. (signed)
NEB/WPM/JP
15-Jul-2000 13:27 PM EDT (15-Jul-2000 1727 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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