Benjamin Gilman: “I wish I could express strong confidence that Sierra Leone will enjoy a peaceful and democratic future, but at this…”

“I wish I could express strong confidence that Sierra Leone will enjoy a peaceful and democratic future, but at this point we cannot. I fear that the significant problems and lack of cooperation with the U.N. peacekeepers in Sierra Leone that they have experienced since the outset of their deployment will continue. We also fear that the Revolutionary United Front, the RUF, which has waged a war of terror and atrocity against its own citizens, has not changed in its ultimate objective; that is, the complete dominance of Sierra Leone. Nonetheless, I support this measure on the basis that we must make every effort, and even take some chances, where the future of so many innocent and suffering people is concerned. My hope is that these funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including the documentation of continuing abuses and the tracking of arms flows. They can also support the effort to contain an emerging international criminal enterprise that operates with the consent, support, and even the direction of President Charles Taylor of Liberia.”