The News Review:

- Cuban doctors arrive in Sierra Leone
- The Final Solution
- British Labour ahead in the polls

Cuban doctors arrive in Sierra Leone
Caribbean Net News – May 5, 2005
The doctors will spend two years in the impoverished state under an agreement signed in March after a visit to the communist-ruled island by President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, health officials said. Nine general practitioners are among the team of doctors, which also includes epidemiologists, surgeons and a psychiatrist, the health department said in a statement. In welcoming the doctors to Sierra Leone, Cuban ambassador Lucas Domingo Hernandez said that the health assistance from Cuba would also include the setting-up and equipping of three diagnostic centers in the capital Freetown, the main southern city Bo and Makeni in the north. Health officials hope the Cuban doctors will help to boost the country’s fledgling health care delivery system and assist in reversing the infant mortality rate, which currently stands at 170 deaths for every 1,000 live births.

The Final Solution
Harvard Crimson – May 5, 2005
In the meanwhile they would establish a peace, which could actually be kept by peace-keepers. Call it outsourcing. Lest one think this impossible, take a look at Sierra Leone in 1995. With rebels 20 miles away from the capital, Freetown, and with the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity unable to help, the Government of Sierra Leone hired Executive Outcomes, a South African mercenary army, to establish peace in return for $15 million and access to some diamond mines. With 200 soldiers and a helicopter gunship, Executive Outcomes managed to quell the rebels and restore order. Three hundred thousand refugees returned home, and within a year, Sierra Leone had its first presidential election in 28 years. The soldiers of Executive Outcomes are regarded with immense respect by Sierra-Leonians, many of who owe their lives to the soldiers.

British Labour ahead in the polls
Jamaica Observer – May 4, 2005
High court certifies victory of dictator’s sonLOME, Togo (AP) – The high court certified Faure Gnassingbe, the son of this West African nation’s late dictator, as winner of the country’s April 24 presidential ballot. Disputes over the election outcome had sparked deadly riots in the streets of the capital. Spokesman for Liberia’s Taylor denies plot chargesLAGOS, Nigeria (AP) – Exiled former Liberian President Charles Taylor was not behind a failed January assassination attempt against Guinea President Lansana Conte, his spokesman said Tuesday, dismissing allegations by prosecutors for Sierra Leone’s UN-backed war crimes tribunal. Talk Back No comments have been posted.