Brussels, 10/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 5 May, the Portuguese Presidency adopted the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The European Union strongly condemns the actions taken by the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone in direct violation of the Lomé Peace Agreement and is deeply disturbed by reports of the killing of UNAMSIL personnel. Moreover, the EU finds the detention of UNAMSIL civilian and military personnel and the attacks on UNAMSIL by the Revolutionary United Front totally unacceptable.
The EU calls on the RUF, and in particular to its leader, Foday Sankoh, to cease all attacks against UNAMSIL, to release all detainees safely and unconditionally, and to implement fully their commitments under the Lomé Peace Agreement, including the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme. The EU reiterates its strong support for the Lomé Peace Agreement and for the efforts of the United Nations to fulfil its mandate in Sierra Leone.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration."