[Peace-discuss] Crisis in Liberia (fwd)

Mon Aug 18 17:48:33 CDT 2003

The current Moveon Bulletin deals with the crisis in Liberia
-Paul P.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 15:21:34 -0700
From: "Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org" <moveon-help at list.moveon.org>
To: Paul Patton <ppatton at uiuc.edu>
Subject: Crisis in Liberia

CRISIS IN LIBERIA

MoveOn Bulletin
Monday, August 18, 2003
Noah T. Winer, Editor
noah.winer at moveon.org

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GRASSROOTS INTERVIEW WITH LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO
There has been a delay in getting the responses of the International
Criminal Court's Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, to the
interview questions you posed. We'll send his complete responses as
soon as we receive them.

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EDITORS' NOTE
With so much crucial work to be done for 2004, we've decided to shift
the content and frequency of the MoveOn Bulletin. Instead of covering
every major domestic and international issue, we'll focus in on issues
relevant to our campaigns. We'll use the Bulletin to set the context
of those campaigns. That means you'll receive the Bulletin less often,
but it will be more focused and relevant for your informed
participation. Thanks for your continued help with these important
issues.

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CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. One Link
3. History of Liberia
4. Human Rights
5. Taylor Steps Down
6. Intervention and Peacekeeping
7. Hot Off the Press
8. Credits
9. About the Bulletin

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INTRODUCTION
This bulletin's focus is the historical context necessary to
understand the dangerous situation in Liberia. Unrestrained fighting
between government and rebel forces created a grave humanitarian
crisis. In the capital of Monrovia, people are unable to access food,
civilians are recruited to fight against their will, and the
collateral damage (war-speak for murdered civilians) is in the
hundreds of thousands.

The conflict in Liberia does not lend itself to simple moral judgment.
Surely we would hope for an end to the military conflict and a start
to peaceful self-determination, but neither the government nor the
rebels are certain to bring this about. While both speak of democracy,
their atrocious abuse of human rights tells observers their ambition
is power and political control.

While the fighting has subsided, peace remains far away.

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ONE LINK
This Q&A on peacekeeping intervention from the BBC explains why
there's fighting in Liberia and describes the regional context of the
crisis.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2975834.stm

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HISTORY OF LIBERIA
The Guardian presents an excellent presentation of Liberian history.
Requires free Macromedia Flash Player.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,5860,988886,00.html

Black Entertainment Television has a more detailed timeline.
http://www.bet.com/articles/0,,p389gb6914-7717,00.html

The Village Voice describes the relationship between the U.S. and
Liberia, which was founded by freed African-American slaves. This
article also asks whether President George W. Bush's involvement may
be intended to court African-American voters in 2004.
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0328/mondo1.php

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HUMAN RIGHTS
A Human Rights Watch publication on abuses by the Liberian government
and the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy
(LURD). Testimonies describe summary killings, torture and abuse of
civilians, rape, and abduction into forced labor and fighting. This
report recommends continuing the UN Security Council's arms embargo on
both government and rebel forces.
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/liberia/liberia0402.htm

MSNBC on the use of child soldiers in the conflict between the
government and the rebels. The article estimates that 50 to 60% of the
soldiers are under 18.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/945577.asp?0sl=-11

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TAYLOR STEPS DOWN
Last Monday, President Charles Taylor resigned as president under
pressure from rebels, the United States, and neighboring countries. He
fled to Nigeria, where he was promised protection. Taylor's vice
president, Moses Blah, will act as interim president until October.
http://www.moveon.org/r?462

This past June, Taylor was indicted as a war criminal by the Special
Court for Sierra Leone, a precursor to the International Criminal
Court. Here, Human Rights Watch argues Nigeria must turn him over for
trial in cooperation with international law.
http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/08/liberia081103.htm

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INTERVENTION AND PEACEKEEPING
The international peacekeeping force intervening in Liberia is
composed primarily of troops from the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS). PBS's Online NewsHour describes the creation,
accomplishments, and mission of ECOWAS.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/liberia/ecowas-background.html

Mother Jones has an excellent summary of arguments for and against
U.S. intervention. These arguments were  made before President Taylor
resigned, but they confront interesting questions about whether it's
desirable for the U.S. to play the role of world policeman.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/dailymojo/2003/30/we_487_02.html#one

Related to its objections to the International Criminal Court, the
United States insisted on immunity for peacekeepers entering Liberia.
http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/08/liberia080103.htm

On Thursday, 200 U.S. Marines joined ECOWAS peacekeepers to secure
Monrovia. Rebel forces withdrew from the capital, allowing the
delivery of food and other humanitarian aid to begin.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3149255.stm

The Los Angeles Times yesterday reported that in July the Pentagon
quashed a report by its own specialists calling for urgent action in
Liberia. Defense officials have said the move was "definitely strange"
and "inconsistent with our operational procedures." Last week's
intervention comes five weeks after the report.
http://www.latimes.com/la-fg-intervene17aug17,1,3823806.story

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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Today, a peace deal was signed between the government and the two
rebel groups. The deal, negotiated by ECOWAS, will set up a
transitional government in October with elections to follow in two
years. Transitional leaders will be announced as soon as Tuesday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3158647.stm

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CREDITS
Research team:
Leah Appet, Lita Epstein, Kate Kressmann-Kehoe, and Sarah Parady.

Editing team:
David Taub Bancroft, Melinda Coyle, Nancy Evans, Eileen Gillan,
Alfred Karl Weber, and Rita Weinstein.

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