Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh Chargé d'affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to the United Nations Statement in the Security Council on Extension of the Mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) March 11, 1999

USUN PRESS RELEASE #23 (99)
March 11, 1999

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Statement by Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh, Chargé d'affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to the United Nations, on Extension of the Mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone, in the Security Council, March 11, 1999

We meet today to vote on a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone. We take such action against the backdrop of the terrible human tragedy and untold suffering being endured by the people of Sierra Leone.

The American Government and the American people have viewed the unfolding crisis in Sierra Leone with shock and dismay. Human rights abuses and atrocities on the scale seen in Sierra Leone are appalling and unacceptable. Such crimes against civilians are an affront to Africa, to the international community and to us. The authors of these crimes against civilians must be brought to justice. We all must intensify our efforts to bring an end to this terrible conflict.

The Security Council, and the international community, must continue to take concrete and practical steps to support the democratically elected government of President Kabbah. The international community must also remain vigilant to ensure that existing sanctions on weapons transfers are respected. States bordering Sierra Leone have particular responsibilities in this regard as well as in preventing their nationals from further intensifying the fighting.

Now, more than ever, ECOMOG needs our support. The United States has contributed $9 million to provide logistical support to ECOMOG, and we are seeking to do more. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada and others also have contributed to help ECOMOG. We commend the British for their leadership in contributing an additional ten million pounds sterling to assist ECOMOG, and we call on other donors to provide matching funds. Now is the time for current and prospective donors to consider contributing to ECOMOG, either through the UN Trust Fund or bilaterally.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Francis Okelo, has worked tirelessly to promote a peaceful resolution to this conflict. We support his efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table. We regret that the fighting in Sierra Leone has prevented UNOMSIL from carrying out its full mandate. We hope that the slowly improving situation will permit UNOMSIL personnel an opportunity to rapidly resume their duties.

ECOMOG's gallant efforts have restored a semblance of order and security to Freetown following the recent rebel offensive. The international community owes a great debt of gratitude to those troop-contributing nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Mali which have provided forces to promote peace and restore stability in Sierra Leone. In particular, we commend Nigeria, which has carried a disproportionate share of the burden in defending the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone. We look to ECOMOG to stay the course as Sierra Leone works toward a settlement of the conflict. We will continue to support Sierra Leone and the Secretary-General's Special Representative as they strive to bring about a lasting and durable peace.

The people of Sierra Leone desperately need our assistance and support. We must ensure that their future will be one of hope, not further suffering.

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