NEW DELHI, JUNE 15: India on Thursday stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 21 Indian peacekeepers being held by rebels of Revolutionary United Front (RUF), even as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan asked West African countries to assist in ending the impasse.A foreign office spokesman said there was no hindrance to the supply of rations to the 21 hostages in Pendembu as also to 213 Indian soldiers in Kailahun where the stand-off with RUF continues.Meanwhile, senior Indian officials led by Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen N J Vij held extensive discussions with top UN officials in New York on the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone and the hostage issue.The Indian officials also met Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Bernard Miyet and several other officials of the department. Immediately after holding talks at the UN headquarters, the Indian team left for Washington.The team had earlier visited Sierra Leone for on-the-spot study of the situation and discussions with Force Commander Maj Gen V K Jetley.Annan has spoken and written separately to West African countries on the hostage crisis and asked them to help in securing their early release.Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nigerian President Olusegum Obasanjo have twice spoken to each other on telephone last week, with the Nigerian leader assuring that all efforts would be made for the safe release of the Indian peacekeepers.
