LIBERIA: Peacekeeping Stalled by U.N. Soldier Shortage

StrategyPage.com ^ | December 27, 2003

[John Jorsett]

While some 12,000 fighters, most of them nominally working for the government, have turned in their weapons (for cash and other goods), the main rebel group, LURD, is holding out for more loot. In the last few days, armed LURD men have blocked peacekeepers from advancing north of the capital to set up a disarmament camp for LURD fighters. LURD leaders want more government leadership jobs (and access to foreign aid money) now, not later.

The UN only has about 6,000 of the authorized 15,000 peace keepers on hand. Many of the countries that pledged troops have been slow in delivering. The peacekeeping force was to have been at full strength in a few months, but this seems unlikely. Without more troops, the rebel and government troops cannot be forced to abide by the peace deal. And some Liberian military commanders are having second thoughts. Most of the country is still being ravaged by marauding bands of armed men.

[John Jorsett]

Next time some twit says we ought to turn over the nation-building phase of Iraq to the U.N., or that President Bush should have "internationalized" the war effort, keep this in mind.

[claudwitz]

And one mustn't forget the great progress in the DR Congo and Ivory Coast. Both great testaments to the French and their capabilities(and lack thereof) first troops in and first to squeal. Of course in the Congo it only took the slaughter of 3 million to get the U.N.'s serious(contradiction?) attention.

[longtermmemmory]

This must be a push for a standing army of the uN. I wonder how many greenpeace types would join. I wonder how many DUmie types would not have a problem shooting at our troops.

The article should read the are fewer US troops in the UN peacekeepers. Why don't they draw on the other nations?