UK Government renews commitment to Sierra Leone's development.

Following a meeting with Sierra Leone's President, Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, and Foreign Minister Momodu Koroma, on 22July, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said:

"The UK's commitment to Sierra Leone is as strong as ever. The country has enjoyed well over a year of peace, and work to consolidate that peace is well advanced. Sierra Leone has demonstrated that, with the right commitment, peace can be attained even in the bleakest of situations. But much remains to be done to secure the brighter future its people deserve.

"The President and I discussed Sierra Leone's security. A key factor in ensuring continued stability is a capable, organised police force and well-trained armed forces. The UK is supporting the development of these through the UK-led IMATT and Commonwealth Police Training Project. And Sierra Leone is committed to tackling some of the root causes of conflict such as corruption and misgovernance.

"On 14 July the UN Security Council agreed that the UN peacekeeping force, UNAMSIL, should plan for draw-down to be complete by December 2004. The UK supports this timetable, which will be based on an assessment of Sierra Leone's ability to take responsibility for its own security.

"The UK's 'over the horizon' commitment to support peace in Sierra Leone remains."

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