ABSTRACT
The chapter analyses the reasoning behind the British response. It evaluates the challenges that confronted the British government and its armed forces and their level of preparedness. The chapter considers the initial planning, preparation and the dispatch of the Operational Reconnaissance and Liaison Team (ORLT) to Sierra Leone. It also analyses the initial deployment of forces including the evacuation of entitled personnel. The principal focus for the British armed forces was Kosovo, and the Balkans in general, with brigade level deployments in both Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina on top of the ongoing commitment of forces to Cyprus, Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands. The MOD and FCO agreed that if British forces were deployed for an evacuation operation they should remain in place until UNAMSIL was reinforced. The British High Commissioner with responsibility for the political lead asked Brigadier Richards to undertake a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) of all Entitled Personnel.
