DATE=9/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-SIERRA LEONE MEETING (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266358
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
today (Monday) urged West African nations to continue
working for peace in Sierra Leone. VOA Correspondent
Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Speaking to representatives of the Economic
Community of West African States -- ECOWAS -- Mr.
Annan thanked them for efforts to help resolve the
conflict in Sierra Leone. The meeting was an attempt
to increase coordination between ECOWAS and the United
Nations.
Mr. Annan asked the ECOWAS leaders to pressure the new
head of Sierra Leone's main rebel group, the
Revolutionary United Front -- the RUF -- to cooperate
with the U-N peacekeeping mission.
///ANNAN ACT///
In particular, I hope that the leaders of ECOWAS
will exert all their influence to ensure that
the new RUF leader, "Brigadier" Issa Sessay
cooperates fully and fulfills his undertaking
promptly. Above all, it is crucial that ECOWAS
prevail on the RUF to ensure an early return of
all weapons and equipment seized from U-N
peacekeepers.
///END ACT///
Mr. Annan expressed relief that six British troops and
one Sierra Leonean officer were freed Sunday during a
raid by British forces on a stronghold of another
rebel group known as the "West Side Boys." However,
the Secretary-General regretted the loss of life
during the operation in which one British soldier and
as many as 25 rebels were killed.
Mr. Annan also said he is concerned by rising tensions
between Guinea and Liberia after reports of armed
clashes along their common border. Guinea is currently
hosting about 450-thousand refugees from both Liberia
and Sierra Leone, a situation some diplomats say could
have a destabilizing effect on Guinea's
government.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/KBK
11-Sep-2000 14:11 PM EDT (11-Sep-2000 1811 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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