US inaction in Liberia 'racist'

2003-07-24 09:59

Washington - Jesse Jackson said on Wednesday the Bush administration's reluctance to deploy troops to strife-torn Liberia proves that race remains "a significant factor" in the way America relates to the world.

"We are turning our backs on Liberia," the civil rights leader said in an interview, noting that hundreds have died there just in the last few days.

As Jackson spoke, US officials said a Nigerian commitment to deploy two battalions in Liberia as part of a larger international force will bring the United States closer to direct involvement in the country.

Jackson said Liberia is especially worthy of US assistance in light of the humanitarian crisis there as well as the West African country's historical role as perhaps America's most dependable Cold War ally in Africa.

"Liberia remains a killing field on the back burner," Jackson said.

He added that he saw no benefit for Africans from President George W Bush's five-nation visit to the continent two weeks ago, calling it a "fly-by tour" that featured lots of discussion on assistance but no concrete commitments. He said US agricultural subsidies are causing serious damage to African economies.

The Bush administration says African issues are a major priority, pointing to a $15bn commitment over five years to fight Aids. Officials also note that Bush has proposed a 50 percent increase in foreign aid, a significant portion of which would be earmarked for African countries.

Jackson contrasted what he saw as US inattention to Africa with the US occupation of Iraq. He said the occupation is costing resources and American lives and is becoming a "quagmire".

Secretary of state Colin Powell addressed the Liberian question in an interview published Wednesday by the Washington Times. "We do have an interest in showing the people of Africa that we can support efforts to stabilise a tragic situation and to work with others to bring relief to people, people who are desperately in need," Powell said.

The depth of the humanitarian crisis was underscored by Sam Nagbe, who is serving in Liberia with Oxfam, the international relief agency.

"People are despairing and wondering whether or not the world believes that our lives are worth saving," Nagbe said in a statement distributed by Oxfam.

"The people of Liberia have been strung along for months with assurances that the arrival of international peacekeepers is imminent, but nobody comes," he said.

On Wednesday, West African foreign ministers meeting in Senegal promised to deploy two Nigerian battalions to Liberia within days - the vanguard of what is expected to be a 3,250-strong international force.

State department spokesperson Richard Boucher said US officials will join with West African leaders on Thursday in Sierra Leone to discuss ways of supporting the deployment. Another set of talks in Ghana is focused on achieving a negotiated settlement between the Liberian government and rebel forces.

Liberian President Charles Taylor said on Tuesday he plans to step down 10 days after the arrival of West African peacekeepers. The Bush administration has been insistent that Taylor surrender power.

Boucher said US diplomats are pressing Liberian rebels to abide by terms of a ceasefire that was reached on June 17 but has been violated repeatedly.

- AP