DATE=8/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-HOLBROOKE SIERRA LEONE (L-O)
NUMBER=2-265452
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The American ambassador to the United Nations,
says he is not concerned that rebels in Sierra Leone
may retaliate because of the establishment of a
special war crimes court for that country. VOA
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations.
TEXT: Shortly after the U-N Security Council approved
a resolution to create the court, Richard Holbrooke
Holbrooke met with reporters to express satisfaction
that the American initiative had been unanimously
accepted by the Council.
When a reporter asked if he is worried that the
Council's action will incite the Sierra Leone rebels
to retaliate against U-N peacekeeping forces, Mr.
Holbrooke had a question of his own.
/// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
Do you think the international community should be
immobilized by fear of a handful of machete-wielding
thugs who are trying to upgrade their weaponry to
machine guns and shoulder-held surface-to-air
missiles? I do not think so.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke also noted the rebels had taken U-N
peacekeepers hostage before the resolution
establishing the court was approved and said - So what
is to worry about?
Foday Sankoh and members of his Revolutionary United
Front group are accused of numerous crimes against
humanity. Mr. Sankoh is in the custody of the Sierra
Leone government.
The special court will include judges from both Sierra
Leone and the international community. Precise
details on how the court is to be structured and when
and where it will operate will be determined by the
Security Council, after it receives a report from U-N
Secretary-General Kofi Annan. That report is expected
by mid-September. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE
14-Aug-2000 14:57 PM EDT (14-Aug-2000 1857 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
