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SLUG: 2-305999 U-N / Liberia (L-O)
DATE: NOTE NUMBER: |
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DATE=7/30/03 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=U-N / LIBERIA (L-O) NUMBER=2-305999 BYLINE=JENNY BADNER DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS INTERNET= VOICED AT: INTRO: The United States is circulating a draft resolution authorizing the Security Council to establish a multi-lateral force in Liberia. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations. TEXT: The United States began distributing its proposal to council members on Wednesday. The draft resolution calls for United Nations peacekeepers to follow a multi-lateral force in Liberia. The troops are expected to support regional peacekeepers from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. ECOWAS is preparing to send two Nigerian battalions of 15 hundred troops to Liberia, where heavy fighting between rebel and government forces has created a severe humanitarian crisis. U-S forces are also on their way off Liberia's shore to provide possible logistical support to ECOWAS, which also needs help to finance the mission. U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says the United Nations will aid the ECOWAS deployment until international help arrives. Mr. Annan says the Security Council could decide on sending peacekeepers to Liberia soon. / / / FIRST ANNAN ACT / / / I have been in constant touch with the ECOWAS leadership, with the U-S administration and, of course, with ambassadors here. As I have indicated, we also intend to make a proposal to the Security Council for the deployment of peacekeeping forces and we may see a resolution very shortly being put to the council. / / / END ACT / / / Mr. Annan says, despite messages to the contrary, he expects Liberian President Charles Taylor to leave the country. / / / SECOND ANNAN ACT / / / If the sequence is right, when the peacekeepers arrive, the vanguard force, he should leave the scene and go to Nigeria, which has offered him exile. The reinforcements will come and support the vanguard force. / / / END ACT / / / Mr. Taylor is under indictment for war crimes in Sierra Leone. The Secretary General says he expects the law to takes its course. (SIGNED) NEB/NYC/JB/RH/PT |
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