Members of the Security Council expressed continuing concern about the volatile security situation, and violations of the Lomé Peace Agreement and the consequent humanitarian suffering of the people of Sierra Leone.
Council members called on all parites to the Lomé Peace Agreement to immediately implement all its provisions.
Council members welcomed efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mr. Francis Okelo, and ECOMOG to support the peace process.
Council members underlined that the international community can only do so much without wholehearted commitment of all parites to the DDR programme and urged ex-combatants, especially those belonging to the RUF, to lay down their arms, enter the camps, and help start to rebuild a peaceful and stable Sierra Leone for the benefit of all its people.
Council members stressed that it is unacceptable that rebels should continue to harass and intimidate humanitarian personnel. They underlined that international community can only assist Sierra Leone where conditions permit and reminded rebel leaders of commitments on humanitarian access which they made on signing the Lomé Peace Agreement.
Council members welcomed the imminent deployment of robust peacekeeping force, for which first troops will arrive later this month.
In the light of urgent humanitarian needs highlighted today, Council members urged all Member States to again consider what further assistance they might provide to facilitate the early deployment of UNAMSIL and other United Nations programmes, the World Bank DDR programme, and the operations of ECOMOG who play such a key role in maintaining security.
Council members also stressed the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to neighboring countries, especially Guinea.