Rebels propose coalition government

Meanwhile, the independent Liberian station, 'Star Radio' reported on Monday that the RUF was proposing a coalition with the government in an effort to promote national reconciliation. It said the proposal was contained in a document the RUF delegation has prepared for talks with the Sierra Leone Government after the RUF consultations in Lome. In the document, made available to Star radio, the RUF said a new political order in Sierra Leone "must involve rural and urban residents in the running of Sierra Leone". On disarmament, the RUF and its ally, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) also said the exercise had to include the pro-government Kamajor militia and other civil defense forces created during the conflict. The rebels, consistently accused of inflicting mutilations on the civilian population, added "the current cycle of wickedness" must not be allowed to expand, Star radio reported. "They also want vengeance discouraged." The RUF and its junta allies said they had not been willing to cooperate with the Government because Kabbah lacked sincerity in the peace process. The rebels said the desire for peace would fail if people continued to prepare for war, Star radio said.