A United Nations investigation team in
Sierra Leone has found that mines pose a "limited problem" in
the country which can be dealt with by the UN mission there, a spokeswoman
for the Secretary-General said Wednesday.
The UN Mine Action Service Sunday completed
a week-long technical assessment mission to determine the scope of the
problem of land-mines and unexploded ordnance in Sierra Leone, Maria Okabe
told a press briefing in New York.
The team held discussions with the Government, the warring factions, the UN mission and other parties. It had travelled to Kabala in the north of Sierra Leone and to Keneam and Daru in the east to investigate mines and unexploded ordnance.
"Although access has not yet been secured to all areas of the country, the assessment team has determined that landmines pose a limited problem in Sierra Leone," Ms. Okabe said.
"The team concluded that the land-mine situation in Sierra Leone can be dealt with by the UN Mission in the country, and has recommended that a mine action information and coordination centre be established as part of the peacekeeping operation," she noted.