Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted August 14, 2003 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...s_nm/liberia_dc Finally, something might work out for us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeputyHawk Report post Posted August 15, 2003 what do you mean by that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0 Report post Posted August 19, 2003 Thought I might as well post this in here: Liberian foes clinch peace deal Liberia's interim government and rebel groups have signed a peace agreement to end 14 years of civil war. The deal, signed in Ghana, provides for a power-sharing administration due to take control in October and pave the way for democratic elections in 2006. The factions could begin naming members of the transitional administration as soon as Tuesday, according to negotiators at the talks in Ghana. In the Liberian capital Monrovia, there is cautious optimism about the agreement - and hope that it will bring sporadic fighting to an end, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports. The deal became possible after President Charles Taylor went into exile in Nigeria under international pressure. LIBERIA PEACE DEAL Armed militias disband Government, rebels, political parties and civil groups share power Interim government to pave the way for elections in 2006 Security guarantees for aid agencies Under the agreement, his successor, Moses Blah, is to leave by 14 October. The interim government will then take over, and run the country until January 2006. Neither of the two top positions - those of chairman and vice-chairman - will go to the current government or the two rebel groups, Lurd and Model. In the coming days the armed factions are expected to choose a chairman and vice-chairman from shortlists submitted by political parties and civil society groups. The interim cabinet and parliament will be divided between representatives of the current government, the rebels, political parties and civil society. The regional grouping that brokered the deal, Ecowas, is to establish a force designed to monitor the ceasefire, and then become part of an international stabilisation force. Our correspondent says it is perhaps the best chance Liberia has had for peace, after 14 years of war. However, with Model still in control of Liberia's second city, Buchanan, and the West African peacekeepers thin on the ground, the deal is being welcomed with caution, our correspondent says. Humanitarian aid is still desperately needed in Monrovia and across the country, where hundreds of thousands of people have fled the fighting. Liberia has been in turmoil since Charles Taylor tried to seize power in 1989. Years of civil war ensued, until Mr Taylor was elected president in 1997. In 1999 Ghana, Nigeria and others accused Liberia of supporting Revolutionary United Front rebels in Sierra Leone, and Lurd rebels began their offensive to drive Mr Taylor from power. The latest battle for Monrovia began in June. Mr Taylor flew into exile in Nigeria on 11 August as part of attempts to end the conflict. The West African Ecomil peacekeeping force has now been on the ground in the country for almost two weeks. On Sunday, more Nigerian troops started arriving, and Ecomil expanded the area under its control around Monrovia. The US has sent 200 soldiers to Liberia - with another 2,000 on board US ships off the coast. However President George W Bush has said US troops will be replaced by United Nations troops in October. "We'll be out of there by October 1. We've got UN blue-helmeted troops ready to replace our limited number of troops," he said in a televised interview. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3162089.stm Although most people on this board only seem to be interested in this conflict from the USA's point of view, this looks like a good chance for peace. If the UN get some more humanitarian aid in there, and keep the cease-fire, this should give som stability in the area, and increase the UN's standing in troubled areas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeputyHawk Report post Posted August 19, 2003 IF the liberians show any respect for UN troops. that could prove dubious. it was said for a long time before america finally went in that US troops would be the only outside forces the various rebel groups would respect, and i suspect that's probably still the case. is there even anyone in charge of LURD and MODEL to form an interim government to begin with? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted August 19, 2003 I don't think we WANT anyone from LURD to form an interim government. The only way this can work is if we put it to a free and open election, and then oversee this government's business until we can ensure they're not gonna go all Charlie Taylor on their people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeputyHawk Report post Posted August 19, 2003 you were happy enough to let charlie taylor go all charlie taylor on his people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted August 19, 2003 ...I was? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted August 19, 2003 you were happy enough to let charlie taylor go all charlie taylor on his people. What. The. Fuck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
