Indian commander in Sierra Leone faces criticism

Indian commander in Sierra Leone faces criticism
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

UNITED NATIONS, MAY 13: The Indian commander of the peacekeeping forces in Sierra Leone, Maj Gen Vijay Kumar Jetley, has come under flak from Zambia, whose troops have been taken hostage in large numbers, for his style of functioning. However, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described him as a ``good officer'' though he admitted that some commanders had complained against him.

In an interview to the New York Times, Annan said ``there's tension in the command. Everybody who has met Jetley say that he's a very good officer. But some of the commanders complain that he just gives orders, implying that there is no consultation.''

``The commander should be not only a good commander,'' he said. ``He has to be a good team-builder.''

Annan also stressed the importance of having well-trained and skillful commanders in peacekeeping operations. ``A commander has to coordinate disparate units from several countries which have brought their own officers,'' he said.