Expanded UNAMSIL to cost US $305.5 million more

An expanded UN Mission in Sierra Leone involving thousands more personnel would cost an additional US $305.5 million, according to budgetary projections released on Friday by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This would bring to $780 million, the 1 July to 30 June 2001 budget for the mission, known as UNAMSIL. The UN Department of Public Information, which released these figures, said the additional money would enable UNAMSIL to deploy 18 infantry battalions, supported by more logistics, communications, air units, intelligence and command personnel. Annan has asked for a total of 20,500 soldiers, from the current approved strength of 13,000. If the Security Council clears the requests, then Annan will take seek the additional money from the General Assembly which goes into recess on 5 December. As at 15 August, unpaid contributions to UNAMSIL amounted to $169.4 million. Total outstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide at that date reached $2,436.6 million.