UNITED NATIONS STAFF COUNCIL APPLAUDS RESCUE OF PEACEKEEPERS

Press Release
ORG/1309/Rev.1*

UNITED NATIONS STAFF COUNCIL APPLAUDS RESCUE OF PEACEKEEPERS

The United Nations Staff Council congratulates the Secretary-General, the Security Council and the Indian, Nigerian and Ghanaian contingents on the rescue of the 233 United Nations peacekeepers in Sierra Leone on 15 July. The rescue operation freed troops of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) who were trapped for over two months by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels.

UNAMSIL was established by the Security Council in October 1999 in order to assist in the implementation of the Lomé Peace Agreement. This agreement was concluded in July 1999 between the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF in order to help disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the estimated 45,000 combatants. Faced with continued unrest, the Council, in February, authorized UNAMSIL to take the necessary action towards ensuring the security, protection and the freedom of movement of civilians as well as the disarmament of the combatants. But in April, members of the RUF attacked United Nations forces and took some 500 United Nations peacekeepers as hostages.

The rescue operation cost the life of Sergeant Krishnan Kumar of India, who sacrificed his life to safeguard those of his fellow peacekeepers. The staff members of the United Nations extend their deep sympathy and condolences to the family of Sergeant Krishan Kumar.

* *** *

____________

* Reissued to reflect additional information.