The British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has reiterated the United Kingdom's commitment to the security and development of Sierra Leone.

Receiving the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, at No.10 Downing Street on behalf of Prime Minister Blair who is on a foreign tour, the British Foreign Secretary expressed satisfaction at President Kabbah's efforts at consolidating the Peace in Sierra Leone.

On the question of plans for the drawdown of the UNAMSIL force by December 2004, the Foreign Secretary agreed with the President that the timetable should be based on an assessment of Sierra Leone's ability to take responsibility for its own security. He also declared that in any event the UK's "over the horizon" commitment to support peace in Sierra Leone remains solid.

Earlier President Kabbah briefed the Foreign Secretary on developments in Sierra Leone and gave his assessment of the situation in Liberia and the sub region in general. President Kabbah expressed gratitude for the UK government's support to his country.

President Kabbah also received in audience the British Defence Secretary, Mr. Geoff Hoon, who expressed satisfaction at the cooperation between the UK and Sierra Leone. He also thanked the President for the courtesies extended to British Military personnel serving in his country.

In his response, the President expressed appreciation to the British government and personally to Mr. Geoff Hoon for his sustained interest in the security of Sierra Leone and for the role of The British Ministry of Defence in stabilising the situation in Sierra Leone. The President also requested technical assistance for the upcoming Security Sector Review.

In another engagement, the President received in audience the new British Minister for International Development, Mr. Hilary Benn, and expressed appreciation for the UK Governemnt's continued support towards the ongoing public civil service reform exercise.

Several issues, including the question of military accommodation (operation PEBU), support to the police and the law development project were also discussed by the President and Mr. Benn.

On the issue of accommodation for the military the minister assured the President of favourable consideration for his request for additional funding to the tune of £1.7 million. This additional funding will cover the revised estimate for the PEBU Project.

On the Public Service Reform, the President informed the minister of his plans to put into effect a proposal he made on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament, in which he suggested a re-profiling of some of the top jobs in the civil service. In the same plan, the President further proposed that in order to give young and promising civil servants in lower grades the opportunity to realise their potential, the establishment of a fast track system within the Service, which will be performance driven. This, it is believed, would help in removing the obstacles to career development which is tied to seniority in grade.

The plan will involve re-classification and re-profiling of some of the key positions in the civil service with commensurate remuneration. This task will require detailed analyses and will have budgetary implications. In order for this to be properly coordinated, a steering committee comprising DFID and UNDP consultants together with Sierra Leonean experts appointed by the President will need to be set up.

This proposal was welcomed by the DFID minister as a positive move, which, when implemented, will enhance the effective delivery of public services to the nation.

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