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No plan to recall Maj Gen Jaitley

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Indian Army continues its wait for the third week for the safe return its 23 soldiers who remain under the custody of Sierra Leone rebels.

Army officials, however, maintained there was no plan to recall Major General Vijay Kumar Jaitley, force commander of the UN mission in the western African nation.

Jaitley has come in for criticism from several quarters, including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"General Jaitley's reputation is well known. He is one of our finest soldiers. In the past he has commanded the Siachen brigade. How can you say that one fine day his commandeering qualities would vanish," said a senior army officer.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the army authorities admitted there was "no change in the status of the detainees at Kuiva. However, all attempts to negotiate the release of these soldiers are being made."

The army claimed that the rebels had suffered "large number of casualties during the last 15 days" and "there seems to be a distinct divide between the cadres."

Meanwhile, the first batch of the second Indian contingent began arriving at the Lungi International airport yesterday. The airport was secured by the British troops, after RUF rebels began moving closer to Freetown.

The second contingent of Indian soldiers comprises of 18 Grenadiers battalion and a team from the 2 Para Commandos.

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