TRANSCRIPT OF BBC (SEPTEMBER 6, 1997) INTERVIEW WITH AFRC SPOKESMAN ALIEU KAMARA DURING HUNT FOR VICTOR SYLVER INSTIGATED BY SEAGA SHAW, GIBRIL GBANABOME KOROMA AND OTHER JUNTA SUPPORTERS AFTER THE MABAYLLA MURDERS

Chris Bickerton: ...there's concern about our correspondent in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Victor Sylver in the past 48 hours. This week he reported on the shelling of Freetown. The AFRC junta blamed the ECOMOG peace keeping force and said fifty people have been killed. ECOMOG blamed the junta. Victor Sylver reported that he'd seen two victims of the incident. Well that apparently incensed some supporters of the junta and it seems a gang of youths went looking for our correspondent and threatened to burn his house down. Victor Sylver apparently went into hiding. Well today we've had reports the AFRC has put out a statement about him. On the line to Freetown Elizabeth Ohene asked AFRC spokesman Alieu Kamara what the statement said.

Alieu: As far as I am concerned the AFRC government has not put a statement on Victor Sylver. We are not aware about his disappearance. Whatever transpired on Thursday, the AFRC has nothing to do with that and we have not put out a statement on him at all.

Liz: Well I've heard a report from Freetown from a journalist saying that state radio has been broadcasting in the past hour a statement purporting to come from the AFRC saying that the AFRC is disassociating itself from the youths that are going around saying they are looking for Victor Sylver.

Alieu: Well I have not heard that statement. If that statement has been beamed over our station, its rather unfortunate I have not heard it, but I would like you to understand Madam that this government is a responsible government. We have respect for the press and we have respect for the journalists. Victor is part of this community and he has been doing very well to portray the image of this government in a very balanced attitude. Whatever did transpire between him and some youths around town has not come to the notice of this government. So we would like him to understand that we have nothing against him. He can come out and perfectly do his job.

Liz: Does that mean that you have nothing to do with the youths who are going around, who are threatening the life of Victor?

Alieu: I would definitely assure you that this government has nothing to do with Victor Sylver, has never intimidated, has never orchestrated, has never insinuated in doing anything to Victor Sylver. He is a gentleman and as I talk to you he is my friend. He will attest to that so I don't believe that any individual in this government will go out to harm Victor Sylver.

Liz: Are you aware though that there are gangs of youths who are threatening Victor's life?

Alieu: Well, I heard about that and even yesterday I heard youths screaming that they want Victor because Victor has abused the intelligence of some of the students, some of the youths, some of the relatives of the dead. But I want you to believe that this government will definitely protect Victor. He has nothing to be afraid of.

Liz: So did you try to reason with the youths that Victor was only doing his work?

Alieu: We did reason with them. I even spoke with few that Victor reported to BBC what he saw but I tried to prevail on them and we are continuing to prevail on the youths to understand that Victor is an independent man.

Liz: Its a sorry state of affairs isn't it if a journalist cannot do his work and go about in safety?

Alieu: It is, but let me assure you this government will go all out to protect Victor and I will assure you that nothing will happen to him and we want him to do his job because yesterday nobody reported what happened yesterday. We felt it because he had been doing his job. As a responsible government, responsible to protect lives and property and will assure you that we will protect the life of Victor Sylver.

Liz: And as this responsible government, is it safe for us to hold you responsible for Victor's safety?

Alieu: Definitely, because we are the government of the day.