• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Liberia Rebels: U.S. Force Would End War

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

Liberia's rebels again pleaded for the United States to send peacekeepers to the war-ruined west African country, while a U.S. diplomat downplayed the possibility of a major role for American troops.

The appeals came as the government again accused the insurgents of violating a shaky cease-fire established last month. The rebels denied the allegations.

The rebels, who control about 60 percent of the country, pushed into the capital last month but were pushed back by President Charles Taylor's forces. The fighting killed hundreds of people and was just the latest violence in the rebels' four-year insurgency.

A Western diplomat in the region downplayed expectations that Americans would be involved in peacekeeping efforts. A west African bloc has promised to send 1,500 troops within days, but had urged the United States to take the lead.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, appeared to support the idea floated by some officials that the United States would likely play a support role, providing logistical and financial help to regional forces monitoring the cease-fire.

He said that if U.S. peacekeeping forces are sent to Liberia, it was "difficult to imagine" them patrolling cease-fire lines.

Kabineh Ja'Neh, a high-ranking official from the main rebel group, said American forces did not have to be on the front line to make a difference.

"The mere presence of American soldiers with arms is sufficient," Ja'Neh said from Ghana, where he was attending peace talks. "It would be a monumental psychological comfort and would signal an end to the war."

Taylor, under pressure to step down and wanted on a war crimes indictment in Sierra Leone, also wants an American role. He has said he will only step down once peacekeepers arrive.

In Washington, President Bush said a deployment could require American troops but would be "limited in size and limited in tenure." He spoke after meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who wants an American deployment, and said any deployment would depend on Taylor stepping down and leaving the country.

Bush said he was awaiting reports from two teams he sent to assess the situation in Liberia, founded by former U.S. slaves in the 19th century. One team is reviewing the humanitarian needs there, and the other is checking the military situation.

Earlier Monday, Liberian Information Minister Reginald Goodrich repeated accusations that the rebels violated the fragile cease-fire by attacking two northern towns.

Goodrich said rebels were making a final push on Monrovia. "We can only do our best to hold the line," he said. "It is in the interest of everyone for peacekeepers to get here as soon as they can."

Ja'Neh, a leader of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, said he was not aware of any intense battles. "There are always small skirmishes but as far as all-out war, I don't know about that," he said.

Liberia's government has been accused of fabricating or inflating attack claims in an effort to win local and international sympathy.

The U.S. team of military experts arrived in Liberia last week. They have visited refugee camps, ports and landing strips to assess the possibility of sending troops and aid.

A hundred U.S. troops arrived Sunday in neighboring Sierra Leone in case the team in Liberia needs to be evacuated, Capt. Kristi Becknan, a spokeswoman in Freetown with the U.S. Air Force, said Monday.

More American military specialists were in Ghana over the weekend to coordinate with the west African regional bloc that has promised to send troops. While some planned to leave soon, others were planning to remain behind to coordinate peace efforts.

A Nigerian officer, Brig. Gen. Festus Okonkwo, has been chosen to lead that force, mandated to monitor cease-fire lines in and around Monrovia, said Sunny Ugo, spokesman for the Economic Community of West African States.

More News in this Category