Date: Tuesday, 02-Jan-96 05:29 AM

From: Jeff Cochrane \ Internet: (cochrane@ac.baobab.com)

Subject: Defense

Foday Turay writes:

> Perhaps, for the benefit of some of us with scant (may be

> distorted) or no knowledge (except from films) about the old American

> West and as a way of contributing further to this discussion, I would

> like Jeff to highlight lessons from the relevant Amreican history for

> Salone.

I am not a student of the American West, but my understanding is similar to that expressed by Kelfala Kallon:

> each locality in the American West was given

> the responsibilty for maintaining law and order

The central government in Washington had too little power to maintain order. Even territorial governments were far from many communities. Thus each small town essentially maintained its own authority, subject to judicial review by the territory and by the national government.

Kelfala argues that localities in Sierra Leone should similarly be given responsibility for local order.

But won't that simply lead to a Bosnia-type situation? Won't each chiefdom, once it is armed, attempt to form its own government? How will Freetown maintain its control? Won't this simply lead to anarchy?

Regards,

Jeff @ Washington, DC USA

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