United Nations

NEW YORK, 17 July (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:

The Secretary-General is gratified that the military operation to bring to safety the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers, who had been surrounded for two and a half months by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), has been completed successfully. 

 The Secretary-General highly commends the Force Commander of UNAMSIL, Major General Jetley, his military staff and all troops engaged in the operation for the high degree of professionalism and effectiveness with which this operation was planned and conducted.  The courage and remarkable discipline and determination displayed by all bring credit to them, to their countries' armed forces and to the United Nations.

 The Secretary-General deeply regrets that one Indian UNAMSIL peacekeeper lost his life during the operation and that six others were wounded.  He extends his sincere condolences to the family of this brave Indian soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice while rescuing his colleagues.  He wishes those wounded a speedy recovery.

 Now that this episode is behind us, the Secretary-General hopes that all efforts can now be directed toward establishing conditions conducive to a resumption of the peace process in Sierra Leone and an early end to the prolonged suffering that the people of Sierra Leone have had to endure.