U.S. agrees to logistical, airlift support for Sierra Leone mission

May 9, 2000
Web posted at: 2:18 p.m. EDT (2118 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has agreed to provide airlift and logistical support to troops needed for peacekeeping duty in Sierra Leone, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said on Tuesday.

But, he said at his daily briefing, the White House is "not considering combat troops."

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"This is an issue we believe should be dealt with by the regional leaders," Lockhart said.

Lockhart described the support as similar to that provided to United Nations peacekeeping troops in East Timor, including air traffic controllers, for example, if aircraft are used in the mission.

Lockhart said the U.S. had agreed to airlift Bangladeshi troops into the area, if needed.

But Pentagon officials cautioned that no final decision has been made on whether these Bangladeshi troops will be transported and whether it will be by air or by ship.

Lockhart added that the United States is working closely with both the U.N. and West African leaders to "provide the kind of support we can."

Officials are awaiting results of ongoing meetings in Nigeria, where West African leaders are considering a possible African response to the situation.

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