Marines fly out of Liberia

U.S. military planes and helicopters carried the last few American ground forces out of war-ruined Liberia - leaving Liberians thankful for their help, but dismayed at their silent withdrawal.

The U.S. Marines' departure overlaps with yesterday's transfer of peacekeeping responsibility from a 3,000-plus West African force to a U.N. force of up to 15,000.

Roughly 30 members of a U.S. military liaison team flew out of Liberia's main airport Tuesday, ending their work with a West African-led peace mission in this American-founded West African nation.

Their ship, the USS Iwo Jima, was no longer visible from Monrovia's shore by Tuesday afternoon; it was due to pull away completely from Liberia within hours.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2003/10/02/1065058144.htm

Junior's commitment to Africa

the 15,000 UN force or the 30 member US military liason with accompaning US warships ?

too bad he doesn't feel that way about Iraq.

BTW: Taylor went into exile will all of Liberia's money safely stashed away, leaving his country bankrupt. He's currently living high on the hog, and is in direct contact on a daily basis with his cronies back in Liberia, which is a clear violation of his exile agreement.

Iraq - $87 billion Liberia - $0

:evilgrin:

United States President George W Bush has defended the limited role he ordered for US troops in Liberia, saying that the strategy worked even though violence broke out as the last American ground forces left this week.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,6119,2-11-1447_1425093,00.html

Commitment to Africa?