July 1, 2003
The United States cannot send troops to pacify every international conflict or relieve every humanitarian emergency. But the United Nations' secretary general, Kofi Annan, makes a compelling case for dispatching an American-led international force to Liberia. Washington is the appropriate leader for any international effort to rescue Liberia, a troubled West African nation that was founded by freed American slaves and has longstanding economic and political links to the United States. The Bush administration is divided over the issue, and a decision by President Bush is expected imminently. He should respond positively to Mr. Annan's plea.
The case for an armed international rescue mission is humanitarian and geopolitical. A million frightened refugees are crammed into Liberia's capital, Monrovia. Accommodating them has strained basic services, and the city is experiencing cholera outbreaks. Liberia's turmoil also has a regional dimension. Continued mayhem there will feed further instability in neighboring Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea. If the world fails to act now, the region's problems will probably grow worse, requiring more extensive, and expensive, intervention later. A multinational military force will provide no instant cure. But it can buy time for more lasting political solutions.
What is needed is a multinational contingent of about 5,000 soldiers, authorized by the Security Council to use force to safeguard civilians, protect relief supplies and impose a lasting cease-fire. It should be under American command and should include up to 800 American ground troops. Once a cease-fire was firmly established, the American-led contingent would be replaced by a more conventional U.N. peacekeeping force. The United States should sign on to the idea of an American-led force before Mr. Bush departs for Africa on Monday. That would let him use his trip to press for African military and political participation in rescuing Liberia's longer-term future.
One of his stops, Nigeria, will be crucial. Nigeria has been deeply involved in West African efforts to negotiate a cease-fire. It is likely to be a major contributor to the multinational force and the peacekeeping force that would succeed it. Help will also be needed from Nigeria, Ghana and other interested neighbors in establishing a new transitional Liberian government. Liberia's current president, Charles Taylor, has been indicted by a U.N.-backed tribunal for war crimes in Sierra Leone, and must depart. Unfortunately, all of his armed rivals for power are thuggish and ill suited to replace him. Rebuilding Liberia's institutions could take many years. The first step is an effective cease-fire, and an American-led force can make that happen.
More Information on Liberia
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