Military

DATE=8/4/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CQ U-S / LIBERIA (L)

NUMBER=2-306172

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: REISSUED TO CHANGE "LIBERIAN" TO "NIGERIAN" IN FIRST GRAF. OF TEXT. COMPANION PIECE TO WOLFSON SHORT CR 2-3061164 BUSH/LIBERIA.///

INTRO: The United States Monday welcomed the first deployment of Nigerian peacekeeping troops in Liberia while again urging warring factions in the country to cease hostilities. It also renewed its call on Liberian President Charles Taylor to leave the country. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: U-S spokesmen are citing the arrival of the initial Nigerian contingent of the force as tangible evidence of the international community's commitment to bring relief to the people of Liberia in what is termed "this time of extreme distress."

They are pledging United States financial and logistical assistance to the troops led by the West African Regional grouping ECOWAS and do not rule out the possibility that some American forces may come ashore to assist the force, which is to be replaced in the coming months by a United Nations peacekeeping operation.

At a news briefing here, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker called on the combatants in Liberia to live up to the truce commitments made last month in Ghana so that international aid can begin flowing to the victims of the conflict:

///Reeker actuality///

For humanitarian assistance to arrive quickly, we would remind all combatants, especially the military forces of the government of Liberia, and the LURD and the MODEL rebel groups, that they must stop fighting and restore and respect the cease-fire. Liberians should cooperate with international peacekeepers and humanitarian relief workers.

///end act///

Mr. Reeker noted the public commitment by Charles Taylor to step down as of August 11th and said his resignation and departure from Liberia is essential to restoring peace.

Though Mr. Taylor has suggested his departure is contingent on international prosecutors dropping war crimes charges against him for his involvement in the Sierra Leone conflict, Mr. Reeker said the United States believes the indictment should not be rescinded and is something Mr. Taylor must "address and answer" with the U-N-backed special court.

The United States has thus far committed 10 million dollars to a private contractor to support the ECOWAS peacekeeping force, but President Bush had ordered U-S Navy ships with more than two thousand Marines aboard to the waters off Liberia.

A senior U-S official told reporters Monday two of the three ships involved were in position to help the peacekeeping operation with logistics and communications and that there was a possibility that some U-S forces would come ashore to coordinate with West African troops. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/RH