Quote:
Originally posted by MagiK:
Sounds like the [perfect job for the UN and the Eu. No need for the USA to go "Imposing it's will" on people. After all don't want that Hegemony to get any bigger or more dominant.
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and
Quote:
Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric:
Exactly why should the U.S. "lead the multinational force"? Sounds to me like there is overwhelming agreement and support among the EU and UN on this issue. This would be the perfect opportunity for those forces to prove they don't need the U.S. - that they are quite capable of carrying out cohesive and coordinated military efforts without the U.S. playing the major role. That would go a long way towards putting the arrogant U.S. "back in it's place" (so to speak) in regards to its position and importance to the UN.
Maybe the EU and UN believe America should take the lead because Liberia was founded by freed American slaves. That may be, but that also means they are no longer American citizens.
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As in most African contries at least some of their current problems in Liberia can be traced back in time.
In 1822 American philantrophist bought land in Africa for former slaves and in 1847 Liberia was formed as a republic - (This was done after a british model in neighbouring Sierra Leone) - with Monrovia as Capital (named after U.S. President Monroe)
Since then Liberia has recieved considerable support from USA.
Up though the 1960'ies and 70'ies mining and rubber (the two main exports) were controlled respectively by american/swedish and american buisniss-interests - which to a great extend used slave-like labour - gathered by the government (controlled by coastal-dwelling former slaves) from the native tribes living inland. A lot of the soldiers in the current conflict are children of these former 'slaves'.
A similar situation (civil war etc.) occured in Sierra Leone until British forces imposed a peace settlement there - indectly acknowlegdeing their colonial heretigde (Another example thereof is the French invervention with 3000 Forign Legioneers in Ivory Coast).
The call for an American invervention in Libaria is based on that USA created the contry (and american interests 'helped' create some of the current ones) and therefore USA should help it with its current problems.
At least that is the idea - a pretty one, but unlikely to come to fruition, despite Nigeria has stated that itself and other west-African contries will send 3.000 troops if USA will lead with 2.000 of their own. Peronally I think that Mogadishu is still so fresh in the memory in Pentagon that the planners there won't want another 'African Adventure'.
Finally it is
alledged that President Taylor recieved American aid while fighting his own rebellion that started him on his way to power. (completed in a democratic election in 1997). Taylor has also intervened in/spurred on civil wars in Sierra Leone (for which he has been indicted for war crimes) and more resently in Ivory Coast (creating a third faction in a previously two-sided civil-war)
[ 07-02-2003, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Ar-Cunin ]