USA vs. Liberia
Sometimes you watch the news and think 'Oh well another war, somewhere' and you think nothing of it because it does not affect your peaceful existance, but further research reveals a place close to home?
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From Nightline Daily E-Mail July 21, 2003 The country of Liberia, with its long and complex relationship with the U.S., is in the midst of a burgeoning civil war. Heavy fighting in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, left at least 50 people dead today. Liberians angry that the U.S. has not sent troops to stem the violence, lined up mutilated bodies in the street outside the U.S. embassy compound there, while American diplomats and numerous others are hunkered down inside. The Bush administration says it won't send peacekeepers until Liberia's dictator steps down. Will this standoff end in time to stop further bloodshed? Forty-one American Marines arrived in the Liberian capital of Monrovia yesterday to further secure the U.S. embassy there. Ever since rebels aiming to overthrow Liberian President Charles Taylor moved into the capital city several weeks ago, the violence there has been worsening. Over the weekend, the violence pulled even closer to the diplomatic neighborhood. A mortar shell today hit the U.S. embassy compound, where American diplomats and several journalists are huddled inside. Some 50 people were estimated to have been killed in this recent wave of fighting. Angry Liberians were heard shouting outside the compound and 18 mutilated bodies were reportedly piled in front, a powerful and disturbing plea for assistance. Even with the newly arrived Marines, there are still fewer than 100 American military personnel on the ground in Liberia as of today. Some Western African nations have pledged peacekeepers to Liberia, but they have not yet arrived. President Bush has repeatedly said that he would send U.S. peacekeepers to Liberia, but that first the dictator, President Taylor, would have to step aside. He has not done so. And so this weekend 4,500 more American sailors and Marines were ordered to position themselves closer to Liberia. But the final order to go in, for a peacekeeping mission or to evacuate Americans, has not come. The city swells with shantytowns and other temporary shelters for the thousands of Liberians displaced by the violence and chaos. A deadly cholera outbreak is a real concern. Those supporting American military intervention, under U.N. auspices or otherwise, point out that Liberia is not just another country in chaos looking to the U.S. for help. American leaders helped establish Liberia as a home for liberated slaves. The U.S. constitution is the basis of its government. For many years, it seemed Liberia was the model of the kind of democracy possible in Africa. |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Well it has begun... I wonder what is the record for the US having troops in so many places in the world when the world is not at war?
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MARINES HEAD FOR LIBERIA President Bush on Friday ordered a U.S. Navy flotilla with nearly 2,000 Marines into position off the coast of Liberia as possible support for a West African peacekeeping force expected to move into the war-torn nation within days. https://deseretnews.com |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Today I was listening to a report about the people in Liberia and what they have to go through. They were interviewing various locals and I could only think... 'How can we ever complain?' Look at some of these...
- A woman, raped by four government army soldiers and then later by four teenage rebles, and this after having her husband and family shot and killed. Her left eye seemed to be no of use.
- A six year old girl lost both her parents and has no one to take care of her
- No one in the main town (general population) has had electricity for an entire year!
- People are hungry, naked and homeless...
Can we complain?
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
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Well it has begun... I wonder what is the record for the US having troops in so many places in the world when the world is not at war? |
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Are you suggesting we should have said no? |
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Liberia has been at war for years |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
WOMAN WINS HISTORIC LIBERIA VOTE
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been declared president of Liberia following runoff elections, having received nearly 60 percent of the vote.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/11/23...eria/index.html
LIBERIA'S 'IRON LADY' TAKES HELM OF COUNTRY IN CHAOS
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in as Liberia's new president on Monday, promising a "fundamental break" with the country's violent past.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...leaf060116.html
Recently the US picked up Taylor's son in Miami. He had arrived on a plane from Trinidad. It seems that Taylor had some relationship with a Trinidadian woman here and thus had some roots within the islands - scary.
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LIBERIAN EX-PRESIDENT TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO WAR CRIMES Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is expected to plead not guilty to war crimes at a UN-sponsored tribunal in Sierra Leone on Monday. Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...ria-060401.html |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%