Posted on: Wednesday, July 23, 2003

EDITORIAL
Relief for Liberia is nowhere near

In a heartbreaking disconnect, bloodied Liberians begged for immediate American intervention in their disastrous civil war as the U.S. Marines who might come to their aid — if and when President Bush so decides — sailed toward the Suez Canal, some 2,500 miles, and probably a matter of weeks, away.

It's hard to fault Bush for delay in resolving yet another dispute between the Pentagon, which opposes intervention in Liberia, and the State Department, which favors it.

It should be clear that the U.S. military, especially with 200,000 troops deployed in and near Iraq, cannot respond to all of the many tragic wars that dot the globe. But America's historical connection to Liberia suggests a special case.

And there are important indications that international efforts in Washington, at U.N. headquarters and in Senegal and Ghana may soon produce a cease-fire, however tenuous, that can be enforceable.

We hope Bush will then be able to dispatch a force of 1,500 to 2,000 U.S. troops to lead and train a peacekeeping force of 2,000 to 3,500 West African troops in Liberia as requested by the United Nations.

This force should soon be backed up by a much more robust U.N. force to police the countryside.

It's important to stress that America would not be an invading power seeking regime change, but rather charged with helping both sides conform to a peace they have agreed to.

"Doing Liberia right will redound to America's credit throughout Africa," wrote Princeton N. Lyman, former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and South Africa in The Washington Post. "It will give substance to President Bush's many promises of help during his recent trip and strengthen African support in the war against terrorism.

"Doing it on the cheap will only lead to chaos, further humanitarian crises, recrimination and, eventually, the need for a stronger force. Let us do it right the first time."