The announcement by the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, on 23 May 2000 of some adjustments to the Sierra Leone operation should be widely welcomed. The operation has been conducted with great sensitivity, and is a good example of "foreign policy with an ethical dimension". The UK forces are always on call for the evacuation of British Citizens from trouble spots anywhere around the world. When Sierra Leone seemed to be returning to anarchy and atrocities, the UK Government rightly despatched forces to assist the evacuation of its citizens. Interestingly, it was made clear that this operation was for the benefit of all EU citizens trapped in the country, not just for UK passport holders. Thus it would appear that we are already conducting military operations on behalf of the EU without any problem.
Having secured the airport, and brought some order to a very unstable situation, the British forces seem to be putting heart back into both the Sierra Leone government forces and the UN contingent. There is always a danger that too active a role by Britain will be characterised as intervention by a previous Colonial power. The use of training teams to advise indigenous forces is a well practised method of avoiding such charges. The replacement of the Paras by the Royal Marines will continue to reassure the population that there is hope of stability and the return to the rule of law. The training team will be able to give advice to government forces on re-securing the rebel held areas, and to the UN forces on contributing to the maintenance of order. This will all be helped by the provision of necessary light arms and ammunition.
It is unfortunate that some commentators are trying to make mischief over the developments in the operation. The military are only too aware of the dangers of "mission creep". However, this is a case where UK forces can do real good in a part of the world that has suffered unimaginable misery as a result of weak government.