U.K. to coordinate offensive in Sierra Leone?

By Thomas Abraham

LONDON, MAY. 13. The British chief of defence staff, Gen. Sir Charles Guthrie, is flying to Sierra Leone this weekend in what appears to be a sign that Britain is assuming command of the U.N. military operation and pro-government troops there for an offensive against the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Officially, the visit has been dubbed routine and Britain has maintained that the 1,000 paratroopers it has landed in Sierra Leone have a limited mission to evacuate British and other foreign nationals and provide logistical support to the beleagured U.N. forces. But reports from Sierra Leone indicate that the commander of the British force, Brig. David Richards is, playing a major role in coordinating and directing a counter- attack by the pro-government forces. According to media reports, the British forces plan to use the U.N. forces to hold territory while the Sierra Leone army will launch attacks against rebel positions.

Officially, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Robin Cook, has said that British forces were in Sierra Leone for a limited period of time and that they had no intention of getting involved either in peace-keeping or taking a combat role. He indicated that the security and safety of British troops would be a prime consideration and said the presence of the troops would be evaluated on a ``day-to-day basis''. Media reports here, however, indicate that the commander of the British force was taking effective charge of the U.N. forces and coordinating the efforts of the Sierra Leone army. The U.N. British paratroopers are also in control of the main airport in the capital Freetown and have been transporting U.N. troops around.

Reinforcements from India, Bangladesh and Jordan are expected to arrive over the weekend. The British role may be reduced once the reinforcements arrive. There are, at present, a battalion of paratroopers around the capital Freetown with another 500 marines stationed off-shore on board a helicopter carrier.

The U.N. Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, while welcoming the arrival of British troops, lamented the lack of interest shown by the rest of the international community.

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Section  : International
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