US marines diverted to Liberia

Financial Times ^ | June 13, 2003

[af_vet_rr]

Amen. Rescue yes, nation building, no.

But we are caving into international pressure. It's not like there aren't a bunch of countries around Liberia, nor Europe, around to hel out.

[Trueblackman]

What do we allow Lieberia to become like Rwanda back in 1994? The lack of action in Rwanda was the reason why I left the Democrat Party years ago. One thing I will say about Bush Officials they have tried to include Africa at the world's table and not use it as a two bit photo ops as Bushwick Bill did. Sure Africa has it problems, but at least Bush Officials should be give credit for trying to help a nation in need, unlike Clinton who will stand by and allow 800,000 people to die needlessly.

[HAL9000]

I think the U.S. is in a slightly better position to help Liberia than Rwanda. We do have some national interests there, and so far, Liberia has not reached the level of mass genocide that occurred in Rwanda.

Clearly it's going to be a lower priority than several other foreign issues, and our resources are already stretched thin over Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East Road Map, the Koreas, etc. But if there is something we can do effectively that can improve the situation in Liberia, we should take action.

The U.S. should be actively involved in a diplomatic solution for the Liberian conflict. This involves removing Charles Taylor from his position as head of state ASAP, but I don't think military action will be required to accomplish that.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Kearsarge is the boat that the TRAP team launched from to rescue Scott O'Grady.

[TankerKC]

Well, good thing we have a Republican in office so our military won't be strung out all over ther world...never mind.

[TBP]

We have no vital national interest there and Liberia is of no strategic significance, which is why I am inclined to be opposed to our involvement there.

[TBP]

There was a peacekeeping force sent there in 1990, and all that happened was that the violence INCREASED and Taylor shot his way into power.

[ICX]

Haha...I think this is a perfect example of the double-standard the U.S. is held to by the rest of the world. If we exercise our sovereignty and act in our own best interests by invading Iraq, we're condemned for it - yet when it comes to Liberia, the U.N. and the French (snicker) totally support U.S. involvement. Bottom line: we're paying for Liberia's stability in American blood and we stand to gain nothing from it. I feel for the Liberians, but this should be a U.N. intervention. No other country has the stones to step in alongside us (and I'm not talking about some token Polish soldiers) and help out.