Military

DATE= 8/1/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/LIBERIA (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-306095

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima with a contingent of American Marines on board is expected to take up position off the coast of Liberia Saturday. V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports the arrival comes as West African peacekeepers prepare to move into Liberia.

TEXT: Pentagon sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the Iwo Jima and another U-S Navy vessel traveling with it are moving into position off Liberia and should drop anchor off the coast Saturday. A third ship in the Iwo Jima's so-called amphibious ready group will follow.

The sources stress there has still been no formal decision made by the Bush administration on the mission of the ships and the more than two-thousand Marines they are carrying.

However, a senior defense official has told V-O-A there are no plans to insert substantial numbers of Americans into Liberia to carry out patrols, man roadblocks or perform other active peacekeeping duties.

Instead, this official says the U-S military role will be restricted to supporting West African peacekeepers with communications, intelligence, transportation and supplies. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/FC/MEM