Annan pressures US to intervene in Liberia bloodshed

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan kept up pressure on the United States to lead intervention in Liberia yesterday as troops strengthened defences around battle-worn Monrovia in fear of another bloody rebel attack.

West African countries pledged troops for a peacekeeping force on Sund o prevent a blood-bath in the capital and end nearly 14 years of violence that have infected the impoverished region.

“There are lots of expectations that the United States will be able to lead the force,” Mr Annan told reporters in Geneva. “But that is a sovereign decision for them to take.”

There is particular pressure on the US because of historic ties to a country founded by freed American slaves more than 150 years ago, although US President George W Bush will keep well away next week on his first tour of Africa.

Western diplomats said the battle for support for intervention in Liberia was far from won in Washington. Even though some State Department officials appeared in to be favour, the Pentagon was still uneasy.

“Mr Bush has simply told Liberian President Charles Taylor he should step down and that there should be no help for a force unless there is a political agreement among Liberians,” one of the diplomats said. “That looks difficult.”

The killing of 700 people in two failed rebel attacks on Monrovia this month has raised fears of an even bigger bloodbath if rebels or Mr Taylor, a former warlord wanted by a war crimes court, renege on truces once again.

Mr Taylor’s fighters were taking no chances and sand trucks trundled out to the St Paul’s River bridge six miles from town, where soldiers were sandbagging defences. Heavy weapons were seen heading the same way.

“We are very worried about the way the boys are taking their heavy weapons up. We hope that they do not start fighting again,” said one man who had fled to the city centre.

Peace talks in Ghana were adjourned last Friday because of fighting in spite of a cease-fire signed by both sides. Fresh truces have been agreed.

A team of West African soldiers and representatives from the different factions are due in Monrovia today to verify a cease-fire line.

Rebels control about 60% of Liberia in their war to oust Mr Taylor, who is accused of fanning regional conflict and is wanted by an international court for war crimes in Sierra Leone. Mr Taylor emerged as the dominant faction leader in a war that left 200,000 dead in the 1990s and went on to win 1997 elections.

He has offered to step down for a transition government when his term ends in January.

The rebels want him to go sooner.

Liberia’s long-suffering people have little faith in their leaders and there is a growing clamour for anyone from outside to protect the once relatively prosperous country from the generation of gunmen bred by its bloodshed.

“How loud do you expect us to yell and cry out?” asked Emily Baker, whose husband was killed in the fighting.

“How much pain and suffering do you think we’re able to bear?

“How many heads and arms will be cut off by rockets before someone can give us a listening ear?”