The following is a near-verbatim transcript
of a briefing with UNAMSIL Chief of Public Information Section Mr. Maurice
Odine and military spokesman Lt. Commander Patrick Coker
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General,
Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji participated in a live discussion and phone-in
programme on Radio Democracy FM 98.1 today, Wednesday, 22 November at 11.00
a.m. Other panelists were Security Advisor to the President, Brigadier
Kelly Conteh, Editor For di People Newspaper, Paul Kamara, and Civil Society
Representative, Mohamed Swaray. The issues discussed were:
- The Lomé Peace Agreement
- The Abuja Ceasefire Agreement
- The Role of UNAMSIL in relation to the Ceasefire Agreement
- The Way Forward for the Peace Process in Relation to the Ceasefire Agreement.
The newly-appointed UNAMSIL Force commander, Lieutenant General Daniel Ishmael Opande, is continuing his familiarization visits to UNAMSIL's contingents in and outside of Freetown. On November 21, he met with all military section chiefs of UNAMSIL. He left today, Wednesday, November 22 to begin a series of briefings from UNAMSIL commanders, with visits to UNAMSIL contingents in Moyamba, Mile 91, Mabang, Port Loko, Rogberi, Magbuntoso, Masiaka and Mape. On Friday, 24 November, he will conduct a conference of all contingent senior and sector commanders at UNAMSIL Headquarters at Mammy Yoko Hotel.
UNAMSIL Civilian Police advisors visited the Civil Defence Force (CDF) office in Kenema on Monday, 20 November to discuss how the two organizations can work together. CDF officials said, since CDF representatives have been working with police officers at the grassroots to receive grievances from villagers, police in Kenema were now gaining the people's confidence.
There has been no report of any ceasefire violations.
Yesterday, Tuesday, 21 November, UNAMSIL military observers met with some cadre of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Bantholo village, north of Kabatha Junction. In that meeting, the RUF showed their willingness to observe the Ceasefire Agreement.
Questions and answers
Q: Why were members of the local press not allowed to accompany the newly-appointed UNAMSIL Force Commander Lieutenant General Daniel Ishmael Opande on his familiarization tour to the provincial areas?
A: As you know, the new UNAMSIL Force Commander arrived here over the weekend and he was very energetic in trying to familiarize with the current situation as it relates to the Ceasefire Agreement. Therefore, arrangements for his travel was done at very short notice.
Q: What cadre of the RUF did UNAMSIL military observers meet with at Bantholo village?
A: The meeting at Bantholo village is with regard to UNAMSIL's continued efforts in making contacts with all parties to the conflict by way of supervising and monitoring the Ceasefire Agreement. These RUF cadres are members of RUF in that location and not the high command. UNAMSIL will continue making these contacts with all parties to the conflict.
Q: Has UNAMSIL contacted the RUF high command regarding their criticisms of the alleged deployment of British troops at Kono?
A: UNAMSIL military observers do make contacts with the RUF as a way of supervising and monitoring the Ceasefire Agreement. But unfortunately, UNAMSIL is not aware of any such deployment.
Q: UNAMSIL military observers have been making contact s with the RUF. How did the RUF pass on the information to UNAMSIL that they were willing to adhere to the Ceasefire Agreement? Do you think that they are sincere?
A: As UNAMSIL military observers continue to make contacts with the RUF during their patrols, the meeting in Bantholo village is as a result of one such patrols. In that meeting the RUF made a statement that they will adhere to the Ceasefire Agreement. Therefore, it is very clear to us that the RUF has turned over a new leaf by way of them being signatory to the Ceasefire Agreement in Abuja. In my opinion, this indicates that the RUF is willing and has committed itself to adhere to those stipulations in the Ceasefire Agreement. I would, therefore, believe that what the RUF is saying today, that they need to sensitize their population to support this process, is done in good faith. The truth is in the pudding and until the RUF does something to the contrary, then of course, we all have to be positive and believe that both parties -- the Government of Sierra Leone and RUF, and other organizations like UN and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) who are involved in this whole peace process, will continue to work hard to ensure that the final solution is lasting peace for this country.
Q: President Charles Taylor has been playing an intermediary role for the RUF. What is the position of UN and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS ) in relation to President Taylor's criticisms of the British troops' presence in Sierra Leone?
A: We need to recognize that the Government of Sierra Leone, being a legitimate Government, and a sovereign nation, is free to enter into any bilateral arrangement with another country if it so desires. I think that the British are in Sierra Leone on such bilateral arrangement.
Q: Do the British have to seek permission from UNAMSIL before conducting the training exercise of Sierra Leone Army in a certain area?
A: I truly believe that UNAMSIL and other parties providing support to the peace process are on the same wave length. There is a need to provide some form of cooperation when it becomes necessary. UNAMSIL cannot do anything to the contrary which can abrogate the standing agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Government of Britain.
Q: If we could recall, a peaceful demonstration by the civil society was organized in May 2000 which resulted in the loss of lives. Does UNAMSIL support the proposed demonstration in support of the presence of the British troops in Sierra Leone tomorrow, Thursday, 23 November?
A: One of the most important ingredients in a democracy is to give persons the freedom to do certain things and the freedom of assembly is one of those tenets of democracy. People have a right to assembly and make a redress of grievances, and it is left for those in the Government and leadership to hear them and take appropriate action, unless the people infringe on another individual's rights, such as killing or any form of human right's violation. Although UNAMSIL is here on a peacekeeping mission, the security of the events of tomorrow is squarely the responsibility of the Sierra Leone Police. However, UNAMSIL has a civilian police section which can collaborate as a facilitator when the need arises.
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 e-mail: odine@un.org
(c) United Nations 2000
For information purposes only; not an official document of the United Nations