October 13, 2001

The UN plans to increase the number of peacekeepers in Sierra Leone from 16,000 to about 17,600. The increase is to include engineers and logistical troops to allow the peacekeepers to work farther from the current road net (farther into the countryside). Other added troops will provide extra helicopters. These moves are to support the elections, which are to be held in May 2002. The UN troops do not currently operate in the deep countryside due to logistical and transportation problems.--Stephen V Cole