Rebel talks begin

After a week of delays, consultative talks were to begin on Monday between ranking members of Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the rebel group's founder, Foday Sankoh. The talks in the Togolese capital, Lome, which were delayed by the RUF's logistical and security worries, are aimed at setting out proposals for full-fledged peace negotiations with the government of President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone. AFP reported that 14 RUF officials had joined Sankoh who was temporarily released from prison in Freetown for the Lome meeting. However, ranking RUF commander Sam Bockarie and his ally, Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leader Major Johnny Koroma, failed to show, news reports said. RUF spokesman Omrie Golley said some of its rebel commanders had remained in Liberia, where they were being assembled for transportation to Lome, still out of concern for their safety. Sankoh is awaiting an appeal on his treason conviction. Sankoh's commanders and closest aids have been demanding his release if they are to give up their uprising which has so far cost some 20,000 dead, AFP reported.