    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 7, 1999]
    [Page 1159]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Sierra Leone Peace Agreement
    July 7, 1999

        On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate President Ahmed Tejan
    Kabbah and Revolutionary United Front
    leader Foday Sankoh on the signing of a peace
    agreement today in Lome, Togo. The agreement offers the hope of ending
    nearly 8 years of terrible conflict in Sierra Leone and bringing peace
    and a brighter future for its people.
        I thank President Eyadema and the
    Government of Togo for hosting the peace talks, and the Economic
    Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Organization of African
    Unity (OAU), the U.N., and my Special Envoy, Reverend Jesse
    Jackson, for providing critical support to the
    peace process. Neighboring countries also provided refuge to hundreds of
    thousands of Sierra Leoneans who fled the conflict and atrocities in
    their country. Their willingness to open their arms to those in need is
    an example that inspires us all.
        We are committed to working with ECOWAS, the U.N., and the OAU to
    ensure appropriate support for implementing the agreement and beginning
    reconciliation efforts. We will work with the people of Sierra Leone and
    the international community to support the safe return of more than one
    million refugees and internally displaced people and the reconstruction
    of the country.

    Note: The statement referred to President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo and
    civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.