Military

DATE=7/7/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL / LIBERIA (L)

NUMBER=2-305170

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke again by telephone with U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan Monday as the Bush administration continued to assess whether to commit troops to a Liberian peacekeeping force. In the meantime the United States continues pressing for the early departure of Liberian President Charles Taylor. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The State Department is saying flatly that the United States will play a part in Liberian peacekeeping.

But whether this will involve a commitment of U-S troops remains uncertain, and will depend in part on the findings of the team of U-S military and relief experts now on the ground in Liberia.

Secretary Powell's Monday morning conversation with Secretary-General Annan was their third in the last four days, and covered among things Charles Taylor's acceptance of a Nigerian asylum offer.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the United States wants to see Mr. Taylor depart "expeditiously" but in a way that does not make the situation in Liberia any worse:

///BOUCHER ACTUALITY///

We see Taylor's departure, Taylor's early departure, Taylor's departure now as the President has put it, as an essential factor in bringing stability to the situation. And that needs to be done as soon as possible, but obviously in a manner that avoids chaos and enhances stability.

///END ACT///

The Liberian president has been indicated for war crimes by a U-N backed court in Sierra Leone for his alleged role in that country's civil war.

But under questioning, spokesman Boucher declined to demand Mr. Taylor's immediate surrender to prosecutors there.

He said the United States "recognizes" the work of the Sierra Leone court, but that what happens with the indictment is a matter to be decided "in due course" between Mr. Taylor and the prosecutor.

Secretary-General Annan, for his part, welcomed Mr. Taylor's decision to step aside, but suggested he will still face war crimes charges.

In a statement Monday, Mr. Annan called the Liberian leader's decision to accept the Nigerian asylum offer a significant turning point as the country moves from war to peace.

But he also said all who were involved in human rights violations and war crimes will be held accountable.

Officials here say Secretary Powell and Secretary Annan have also discussed a possible Security Council resolution that would make a Liberian peace force a U-N operation, or at least one with a U-N blessing. (Signed)

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