FEAR is growing in the lush green hills around the Sierra Leonean capital Freetown, earlier the scene of fighting, as preparations gather pace for the withdrawal of British troops in 10 days’ time. Britain last month flew 800 soldiers into its former colony as rebels of the Revolutionary United Fronts (RUF) advanced on the city. The British are preparing to leave, but they say they’ll be back in a short while, to stay for three years. An announcement is expected to be made in London this week of a short-term emergency training programme with up to 180 British soldiers training up 1000 Sierra Leonean soldiers.