New British Military Adviser calls on President Kabbah
By Yusuf Alghali

Erstwhile Commander of the International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT), Brigadier Adrian Freer, who was also the British Military Adviser to the Government of Sierra Leone, has been replaced after a twelve-month stint in the country.

Incoming IMATT Commander, Brigadier Simon Porter, Thursday 29 January 2004, paid a courtesy visit to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah at the Presidential Lodge during which he expressed his determination to continue the good work Brigadier Freer had been doing.

He also pledged to give "the frankest and best military advice to the Government of Sierra Leone", in view of developments that would be arising this year. He spoke about new perspectives and logistical requirements for the year 2005, with especial reference to the scheduled UNAMSIL troop drawdown by the end of the year.

In the latter regard, Brigadier Porter made a suggestion for government to initiate discussions with the United Nations in order to advocate for the retention of a new UN Mission with a new mandate in Sierra Leone following the pending drawdown. He observed that a continued UN
observer presence might be needed in what he referred to as "difficult and strategic areas", hoping to explore possible new roles for UN peacekeeping in Sierra Leone.