PRESS BRIEFING
MONDAY, 29 JANUARY, 2001
MARGARET NOVICKI - CHIEF, PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION
AND MAJOR M. M. YERIMA - MILITARY SPOKESMAN

KOFI ANNAN VISITS SWITZERLAND

The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, was in Davos, Switzerland over the weekend where he met with key international figures about the future of globalization. Speaking at the meeting on Sunday, Mr. Annan called on business leaders to work harder on environmental and social issues. He warned delegates in Davos that unless business did so, the backlash against globalization could gain momentum. Mr. Annan's comments followed Saturday's anti-globalization protests in Davos, which were quashed by police. There were also serious clashes between police and anti-globalization protesters late on Sunday.

UNHCR PREPARES TO RECEIVE 50,000 SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEES

As the security situation continues to deteriorate in Guinea, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Friday that it was preparing to receive up to 50,000 returning Sierra Leonean refugees over the next six months. In a statement issued in Geneva, the humanitarian organization said a total of 850 Sierra Leonean refugees had returned to Freetown from Guinea by boat last week, bringing to some 4,000 the number of people brought back by UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in January, or a total of 5,550 people since the beginning of the operation in late December.

Prior to UNHCR involvement in boat returns, another 10,000 people had returned on ferries chartered by the Sierra Leonean embassy in Conakry, and a further 12,000 crossed on foot from Forecariah to northwestern Sierra Leone. "It is therefore likely that the number of Sierra Leonean refugees still in Guinea has shown a significant decrease since renewed attacks in September," UNHCR officials said. Meanwhile the organization is continuing to gear up temporary sites to accommodate the arriving returnees, with 17,000 people already settled in about 30 villages in Lungi, where UNHCR and its partners have distributed building material and agricultural tools.

POLITICAL UPDATE

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, returned to the Mission from annual leave on Saturday, 27 January 2001.

Presidential Spokesman Septimus Kai Kai told the press at the weekend that the Government of Sierra Leone was preparing a formal request for the extradition of former RUF field commander, Sam "Maskita" Bockarie, and other RUF members from Liberia.

On 27 January 2001, a joint team of the Sierra Leone Police, the Commonwealth Police Development Task Force, UNAMSIL Civilian Police, and members of DFID visited various sites in the Port Loko area to inspect police development projects. The delegation was led by the Inspector-General of the Sierra Leone Police. At Mile 38, the team inaugurated the makeshift shelter housing the police office. The new Police Post at Rogberi Junction was also officially opened by the Inspector-General. The Commonwealth Police Development Task Force promised to provide funds for repair work and for the improvement of facilities for the police in the area. DFID and the Commonwealth team also donated two new Land Rovers to the Regional Police Chief for the F-Division in the north.

JOINT CHECKPOINTS AGREED NEAR KENEMA

At the Kenema security meeting of 26 January 2001, four joint checkpoints were agreed. The checkpoints will be at Bandama, Kamboma, Hangha and Patema and will be manned by Sierra Leone Army-Civil Defence Force-Sierra Leone Police personnel.

UNAMSIL PATROL TO GIEHUN

UNAMSIL MILOBS in Kenema conducted patrol to Giehun on 27 January 2001, the first patrol there since the May crisis. No evidence of an RUF presence in the village was observed. The patrol further established that the RUF were present in Lalehun, but that they visit Giehun unarmed and had no problems with the local Civil Defence Forces.

RUF IN KONO

Bo MILOBS have obtained information about the situation in the RUF-controlled Kono District. The information indicated that many RUF members were not willing to fight against Guinean troops and considered themselves as civilians. The RUF commanders have been searching for them, and are also said to have been forcing civilians to join the RUF since the beginning of January 2001. The name of Ahmed Toure, son of the former Guinean president, emerged again on the scene, as he was reported to have arrived at Kono in connection with the recent events in Guinea.

RUF CONTACT GROUP SENT INVITATION FOR A MEETING

Reports from BANBATT-2 revealed that two RUF cadres (Col Alfred Morlu Jimmy, member of the RUF contact Group and Maj Mohammed Gibril Sesay, Administrative Officer of 4 RUF Brigade in Magburaka) visited BANBATT-2 location on 27 January 2001 with a letter addressed to the Chairman of UNAMSIL Contact Group for a meeting to be held on 29 January 2001 at Makeni. The issues for discussion will be: the situation in the area of Mange and possible deployment of UNAMSIL in that area. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 31 January 2001.

UNAMSIL CONDUCT AERIAL RECONNAISANCE

An aerial recce mission of the Daru - Segbwema - Pendembu road, as well as the Manowa Ferry site, was conducted by the Russian Aviation Unit and Force Military Information staff on 27 January 2001. They reported that the road is in reasonably good condition with no major obstacles that could impede vehicular traffic. Two filled up craters were observed on the stretch between Segbwema and Mobai. No road blocks/checkpoints were observed along this road. As far as Manowa Ferry is concerned, it was noted that the new ferry is now operational by means of rope. There was no evidence of the RUF personnel or any traffic on the ferry site.

Questions and answers

Q: The Government of Sierra Leone has written a formal letter to the Liberian Government requesting the extradition of Sam Bockarie to Sierra Leone. What is your position on this present moves made by the Government of Sierra Leone?

A: Under international law, the Government has the right to request the extradition of Mr. Bockarie.

Q: One of the local tabloids talks about UNAMSIL equipment seized or stolen by RUF in the north, Mile-91. Can you comment on this report?

A: We are investigating this report, and as soon as we get any information, you will be informed.

Q: The information on the issue of Ahmed Toure being involved in the crisis in Guinea is very contentious and there is no evidence to ascertain that he has ever set foot in Kono. How credible are your sources of information? Do you talk to ordinary people fleeing the area or, are your military observers in direct contact with the Guinean fighters?

A: Our sources are very credible and we are sure that our military observers have contact. They have evidence of his presence in Kono. As a pressman, you also have the right to crosscheck to find out whether the facts are correct, and if not, we stand to be corrected.

Q: I was informed that UNAMSIL has requested the withdrawal of the Sierra Leonean Army (SLA) deployed in Mange. Is this true? Do you have that power within your mandate to determine when, where and how SLA should deploy?

A: The deployment of the SLA is purely determined by the Government of Sierra Leone. Initially, we were deployed in Kambia before the May 2000 crisis, but we have never been deployed in Mange. At the moment the farthest location of SLA is Kabatha and Malekore. At one stage they were in Mange but due to the damage done to the bridge, SLA have not crossed Mange. UNAMSIL is deployed in Port Loko.

Q: Are you deployed in Kambia?

A: UNAMSIL is not currently deployed in Kambia, but we were there before the May crisis.

Q: People are suspicious that UNAMSIL is going to act in accordance with some articles of the Lomé Peace Agreement by creating a buffer to stop the movement of arms in/out of RUF territory. Do you think this will affect the progressive deployment of SLA throughout the country?

A: Even at the moment we do not allow arms to be taken to the south or west of the country. The Government of Sierra Leone Forces and other warring factions have their checkpoints to check the movements and not only UNAMSIL. We will always ensure that there is a free movement of civilians and traffic.

Q: UNAMSIL military observers have gone further into RUF areas, for example, Mano Junction. This means that the area is safe for UNAMSIL's deployment. What is causing the delay of further deployment of UNAMSIL troops?

A: This was an air reconnaissance. Our military observers go on a recce to assess the situation on the ground for possible deployment.

Q: Your report has always been that the situation is calm and quiet but it is not so in the entire country. There are areas which have been attacked by heavy bombardment as a result of the cross border crisis. The SRSG went on a special assignment given by the UN Secretary-General to find out the present position in Guinea. The SRSG is yet to disclose his findings but I spoke with the Guinean Ambassador who confirmed that there is heavy cross-border bombardment going on. To some extent you are responsible for the security of this country and UNAMSIL is watching the interest of United Nations. Don't you think it is a cause for concern to the United Nations?

A: Obviously it is a concern to the UN. I think we have raised this issue and we are looking at it very carefully. The SRSG will at some point probably brief you on the assessment of the UN on the situation.

Q: Don't you think you should call on the Guinean Government to have some restraint within the borders of Sierra Leone?

A: I believe that is up to the political leadership of this mission and the Secretary- General of the United Nations. I am quite sure they are on top of this situation and those expressions of concern will be communicated, if they have not already.

Q: I was recently in Port Loko where the UNAMSIL Sector Commander I said that over 100 child-combatants based in Lunsar will be handing over their weapons to UNAMSIL. Are you confident with those child-combatants and the security situation in the area?

A: I think the Sector I Commander who has briefed you is more experienced and knowledgeable to give you the security update.

Q: You said that the RUF has invited the Contact Group of UNAMSIL for a meeting today. Who is the leader of the contact group?

A: The meeting is not today. We hope the meeting will take place on Wednesday, 31 January.

Q: A Memorandum was signed between the United Nations and the British Government as regards the Rapid Reaction Force Deployment in Sierra Leone. Are you complementing the British Force with logistics?

A: The United Nations and the British Forces are working in close cooperation in assisting the Government and people of Sierra Leone towards the achievement of sustainable peace in Sierra Leone.

Q: Presently a resolution is being discussed in the Security Council with regards to sanctions on Liberia. Is the representative of Sierra Leone allowed to address the Council?

A: Yes. In fact he addressed the Council last week. The first day of the meeting was an open session of the Council on the diamond report and it took place last Thursday. They will meet again this week to have further discussions. A draft resolution has been tabled on further sanctions against Liberia. At some point in time I imagine that resolution will come to a vote.

Q: Who tabled the resolution?

A: It was tabled by the United States.

Q: Will the Permanent members be able to exercise their veto on it?

A: Yes. What normally happens with Security Council resolutions is that there are a lot of informal consultations that go on behind closed doors and some sort of consensus hopefully is reached on a resolution. As you know, obviously there are differences of views on particular issues among different Member States, but by and large the Security Council members work together much better than in the past. Resolutions have informal consultations before the final adoption. There tends to be a process of consultation and consensus building before the resolution is actually put up for a vote.

Q: Don't you think that the whole peace process will backfire if President Taylor does not favour the outcome of the Resolution?

A: I think we cannot prejudge what any Member State will do. We have to wait and see what happens and what the final form the resolution takes since it is a draft.

Q: Why don't you include the journalists in the Contact Group meetings with the RUF?

A: We are looking at different trips for journalists to be taken on into the countryside. Please give us a little time and we will inform you about that in the future.

Q: We got a report that there was an attack on Yeliboya Island on 20 January. The issue was raised among other issues and you informed us that you do not have any report. It was only after six days that you were able to confirm that the attack took place in Yeliboya. How effective are your intelligence officers if you have to give information only after six days?

A: In relation to Yeliboya, if we had just given you the answer in the affirmative without any details, you would not actually appreciate it. But when we ask you to give us time to crosscheck with our intelligence office, you will be abreast with the latest developments.

Q: On Saturday, 27 January, General Jinadu announced in a conference room in Port Loko that over 100 child combatants will be handed over to CARITAS on 31 January. Is it a celebration or cheap popularity for UNAMSIL?

A: This is not a cheap popularity. In the last briefing I told you that there was a mini-Contact Group in the Sector I, and it was based on their deliberations that the RUF agreed to hand over the child combatants on 31st January. Prior to that General Issa Sesay gave the directive that they would release all child combatants and I believe that it is in compliance with that directive.

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For additional information, contact UNAMSIL Public Information Office: UNAMSIL Headquarters, Mammy Yoko, P. O. Box 5, Freetown, Sierra Leone Tel: 232-22-273-183/4/5 Fax: 232-22-273-189