The following is a near-verbatim transcript
of a briefing with UNAMSIL force commander Major General V. K. Jetley
It is a pleasure to be back to a place
I call my home - Sierra Leone. I arrived from New York yesterday, 9th.
During my visit to New York I had the honour to speak with the Secretary
General, as well as senior officials of the Department of Peace Keeping
Operations (DPKO). I also had the privilege to address the Security Council,
an opportunity very really given to a Force Commander, and met with representatives
of Troop-contributing countries.
As you know in the Security Council there were reservations from some Member States regarding the increase of troops to UNAMSIL. After deliberations and consultations, however, a consensus was reached whereby that request was to be reconsidered.
The Security Council has now adopted Resolution 1313 of 4th August, which decided to extend the mandate of UNAMSIL until 8th September in order to allow the Secretary General to put up his recommendations as regards the requirements of the mission in Sierra Leone for future deployments. We at headquarters are busy working out recommendations to be presented to the Secretary General.
We are presently engaged in dialogue with all the combatants to lay down their arms. And I would like to reiterate that we absolutely welcome any faction that is desirous of joining the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme. Our aim as a neutral peacekeeping force, is to create security awareness and assure combatants of their safety. This has yielded dividends and just one month after 'Operations Khukry' and 'Thunderbolt,' approximately 250 RUF combatants have presented themselves for the DDR programme from the Kailahun and Masiaka area and we are expecting other combatants including the West Side Boys. We continue to appeal to all parties to give up their arms and join in the peace process.
Questions and Answers
Q: Considering the reservations of the increase of troops by Member States, is it an indication that they are not happy with UNAMSIL's operation in Sierra Leone?
A: No. They are happy with UNAMSIL's operation. Because of the detention of some of our peacekeepers, our capability was not demonstrated, after the two major operations, however, they have realised our effectiveness and the importance of the increase of the troops.
Q: Are you also persuading the Sierra Leone Government to create more security awareness and confidence-building to the combatants who are still in the bush?
A: Yes. We are also appealing to the Government to assure the combatants of their safety. As a result of our confidence-building, an additional 35 West Side Boys - 5 in Port Loko and 30 in Mogbonthoso area have yesterday presented themselves for disarmament.
Q: I understand that as a result of 'Operation Khukry' 250 ex-combatants joined the DDR programme. Don't you think its necessary for another operation?
A: No. 'Operation Khukry' was done as a last resort to remove our troops who have been held in a stand-off position for quite some time. We are peacekeepers and we maintain peace through dialogue and not aggression.
Q: I understand that the mandate has been changed. What is the condition of the present mandate?
A: The mandate has not changed.
Q: What is the rationale for more troops?
A: The rationale is that we are now deployed only in some areas of the country and other areas need to be further strengthened.
Q: It is clear that your negotiations with the RUF combatants are yielding dividends. Do you see the possibility of deployment in places like Makeni, Kono and Lunsar?
A: Yes. We are still negotiating with them and hope more RUF combatants will see reason and join the DDR programme. We shall continue our deployment to other areas of the country.
Q: Report in the media states that some RUF combatants from the eastern part of Sierra Leone who were on their way to join the DDR programed were attacked by some opposing faction. Would you have defended those combatants if you were around?
A: It is an unconfirmed report. But we support any combatants who wish to join the DDR programme.
Q: I really appreciate the two operations -- 'Khukry and Thunderbolt' done by UNAMSIL. Has the mandate been extended because of these operations?
A: No. Normally all extension of all peacekeeping missions is on a six-month basis. The one-month extension is to allow the Secretary General to put up his recommendations as regards the requirements of the mission.
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