Military

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=WORLD / ARMS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-268149

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies has issued its annual review of the world's military balances. The report finds that sub-Saharan Africa accounts for most of the world's deaths in armed conflict. Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from London the review also criticizes U-N peacekeeping operations as inadequate and unfocussed.

TEXT: The International Institute for Strategic Studies report says 100-thousand people were killed in conflict during the first eight-months of this year. The study adds that two-thirds of those deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Deputy Director Terrence Taylor says three-fourths of African countries have experienced some form of armed conflict this year alone.

/// TAYLOR ACT ///

The major losses of life in sub-Saharan Africa in large numbers was the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Although that has now ended and there is a ceasefire in place, there were very large numbers. In the most recent conflict about 10-thousand were killed. The other area in Africa where there are large numbers is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the eastern part and not only between the government and rebels but between Rwandan and Ugandan troops and fighting among themselves.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Taylor also points to Sierra Leone, where the rebels have mutilated thousands of civilians in their fight to oust the government. He says the only way to stop the fighting is for the government itself to take control of the whole country, including the rich diamond mines that are funding the rebel forces.

/// TAYLOR ACT ///

If Sierra Leone's government wants to reduce the violence and get the country to a secure state, they have to occupy the whole of their territory and guarantee a decent level of security to its citizens. In particular, they have to occupy the diamond-mining areas.

/// END ACT ///

That raises questions for the international community, especially U-N peacekeeping forces now deployed there. Mr. Taylor says U-N members are not ready to send peacekeepers into battle.

/// TAYLOR ACT THREE ///

Are they going to deliver something, deliver a real capability? I find it hard to see that because states are not prepared to commit their troops in the present situation where they can be killed and is it going to resolve the situation?

/// END ACT ///

The Institute's director, John Chipman, says situations like Sierra Leone highlight weaknesses in the U-N peacekeeping operations.

/// CHIPMAN ACT ///

The long-term aim of the U-N operation in Sierra Leone is unclear and the capacity of the U-N to make a sensible contribution to what is a hugely volatile situation in the Congo are questionable. Member states are incapable of producing the sometimes very large proper operations that are required. Equally the quality of ceasefires, truces, military disengagements and peace arrangements are often too poor to support U-N deployments in a peacekeeping mode.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Chipman says the U-N peacekeepers are often deployed in situations where the conflict is not yet over. He suggests it is time for the United Nations to choose more carefully where it deploys peace forces and accept that sometimes it should just say no. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/KL/RAE