M A I N   N E W S

Indian team in Sierra Leone
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, June 8 — A four-member high-level team from the armed forces, the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs is in Sierra Leone to get the release of 23 Indian Peacekeepers.

The release of 23 Indian Peacekeepers in strife-torn Sierra Leone appeared on the cards, the sources said.

Replying to questions, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs said here today that the situation in Sierra Leone was “not serious but difficult”.

The rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) field Commander has given full assurance that the Indian soldiers would be released shortly. The soldiers were detained on Tuesday but the rebels did not disarm or discontinue their communication links and food supplies, the spokesman said.

The official team comprising Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lt-Gen N.C. Vij, Joint Secretary (UN) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Dinkar Shrivastav, Joint Secretary (G) in the Defence Ministry, Mr P.S. Lalli, and Air Commodore Shah of the Indian Air Force were currently in Freetown to review all aspects concerning the Indian troops in Sierra Leone.

The team is also coordinating with the United Nations mission in Sierra Leone and other nations to seek early release of the soldiers besides ending the stand-off between RUF rebels and two companies of the Gorkha Rifles at Kailahun.

“We are also in touch with all countries on this issue on the diplomatic level”, the spokesman said.

He said the general situation in the eastern part of the Sierra Leone where the Indian troops were concentrated remained peaceful, as per latest reports. The movement of ration convoys was also under way.

He denied reports that there was a rift between the Defence Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry over the handling of this issue. “There is absolutely perfect coordination between the MEA and MoD”.

The spokesman also said there was no question of India terminating its participation in the peacekeeping operation. “We have an excellent record in UN Peacekeeping operations”.

He said he was not aware of any criticism against Force Commander, Maj Gen V.K. Jetley’s role in the operations and stated that the UN Secretary General had highly appreciated the officer’s leadership in Sierra Leone.

When asked if the External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh had personally contacted any leaders either in Africa or elsewhere, the spokesman said that the issue was being taken up at a level what we consider “appropriate” in the present circumstances.