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Help Liberia, urge aid agencies
24/07/2003 08:25 - (SA)
London - British aid agencies have called for the urgent deployment of international peacekeepers to war-torn Liberia.
The agencies called for a United Nations resolution to be passed "as a matter of urgency" to enable international peacekeepers to lawfully enter the west African country.
The agencies said late on Wednesday: "If (US) President (George W) Bush is unwilling to commit troops under a United Nations mandate, then he must make a clear and immediate declaration to that effect.
"Then, other countries including those of the European Union should step into the breach."
A joint statement was issued by Save the Children, Action Aid, Christian Aid and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
West African leaders have decided to send 1 300 Nigerian troops to Liberia on a date to be set next week, said the head of the regional Economic Community of West African States on Wednesday.
'Waiting game is costing lives'
The aid agencies said: "While West African countries have pledged to send in troops, we believe their credibility within Liberia will be assured only if the US or other world powers play a major role in any mission."
The agencies added that "the waiting game being played by the US administration is costing lives".
"President George Bush has prevaricated for more than a week since meeting United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, about committing US forces to Liberia.
"Meanwhile, the rest of the world has stood by as Liberia has disintegrated once more into chaos," they said.
Bush has refused to heed demands by Annan and France to lead a multinational force in Liberia.
He has said troops could be sent on a "limited" mission, but only after the exit of Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Fighting continued on Wednesday for the fifth consecutive day in Monrovia between forces loyal to Taylor and rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, who already control about four-fifths of the country.
- AFX
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