- SIERRA LEONE - UK AND SIERRA LEONE SCHOOL LINK SCHEME - MINISTERIAL ENGAGEMENTS
SIERRA LEONE
Foreign Office Minister Toony Lloyd today made the following statement about the Sierra Leone ceasefire agreement:
"I welcome the signing of the ceasefire agreement by President Kabbah and Foday Sankoh in Lome on 18 May.
Britain has been at the forefront of efforts to secure a lasting peace in Sierra Leone. It is important now that all sides honour all the provisions of the agreement. A genuine ceasefire will increase the likelihood of successful negotiations for a long-term peace agreement.
I look forward to a formal start of negotiations between the Government of Sierra Leone and the rebels on 25 May. I hope that all rebel factions will now commit themselves to the peace process and end the fighting and atrocities which have blighted the people of Sierra Leone for so long."
Notes for Editors
1. The main provisions of the ceasefire are:
(a) The ceasefire to be effective from 24 May 1999. (b) The rebel, Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and ECOMOG forces are to maintain their present positions. (c) An exchange of prisoners of war. (d) Formal GoSL/rebel negotiations are to begin in Lome on 25 May. (e) Supply routes are to be opened for humanitarian relief organisations. (f) The UN Security Council is requested to provide an expanded UNOMSIL as soon as possible after the ceasefire has become effective.
2. Britain has provided a major aid package to Sierra Leone, committing more than #20 million since the restoration of President Kabbah for programmes aimed at improving security, governance and livelihood.
Press Officer: Robin Twyman: 0171 270 3104
UK AND SIERRA LEONE SCHOOL LINK SCHEME
The UK and Sierra Leone School Link Scheme, an initiative of the British High Commission in Sierra Leone, was launched today at the Severn Road Junior School, Cardiff.
In the wake of widespread destruction and devastation in Sierra Leone, the Scheme will enable schools in the UK to assist their link schools in Sierra Leone through the provision of books and teaching materials.
Notes for Editors
1. The Scheme was launched in the UK on 20 May, having been launched in Sierra Leone on 1 April. Severn Road Junior School, Cardiff was the first school to join the Scheme.
2. The Scheme is a voluntary organisation based in Cardiff and coordinated by Project Director, Mrs Jane Latham, tel: (01222) 225042, fax: (01222) 339735, e-mail: schoollink@good-thing.demon.co.uk.
3. A task force in Freetown comprising representatives of the British High Commission, British Council, Ministry of Education, headmasters/headmistresses of secondary and primary schools, and parents/teachers associations will be responsible for identifying link schools in Sierra Leone for interested UK primary and secondary schools.
Press Officer: Imogen Wiles: 0171 270 3909
MINISTERIAL ENGAGEMENTS
In addition to their regular official business, FCO Ministers have the following public and parliamentary engagements:
MR COOK Visit to Washington
MR HOON 0900 Mehdi Hussein, Iranian Oil Minister and Gholamreza Ansari, Iranian Ambassador
2200 Adjournment Debate about deaths of British nationals in France, House of Commons
MR LLOYD 1000 Address Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
1100 Richard Butler, Executive Chairman of UNSCOM
1200 Members of Argentine Foreign Affairs Committee
1500 Nico Scholten and Jeff Balch of European Parliamentarians for Africa
1830 Brazilian Ambassador''s Reception
BARONESS SYMONS 1030 Ruth Rouse, Grenadan High Commissioner
1300 Lunch discussion on Action Plan on Gender
1500 Question on the abolition of slavery, House of Lords
1930 Speak at British Marshall Scholars Annual Dinner
# = pounds sterling
