U.S. May Send More Marines to Liberia

U.S. May Send More Marines to Liberia

By ROBERT BURNS
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 12, 2003; 11:52 PM


WASHINGTON - The United States may send small numbers of additional Marines ashore from ships off Liberia's coast if U.S. commanders decide they are needed to start humanitarian aid flowing, a senior defense official said Tuesday.

The official, who discussed the situation on condition of anonymity, said no decisions have been made to expand the U.S. military presence in Liberia beyond the nearly 100 there now. But he said discussions were under way with West African peacekeeping commanders to determine what is needed.

In Liberia on Tuesday, the leading rebel movement agreed to pull back from Monrovia by noon Thursday and surrender control

and hear them refer to our "handful of marines" that they said were "skulking aroung the edges" of the groups of Nigerian peacekeepers. I think they were trying to tell us to either poop or get off the pot. Those few troops did look kind of forlorn.

I am totally in support of this especially after the reaction to the first arrival of peacekeepers. The Liberians are desperate for peace and I think they know they are not in danger of occupation by the U.S so they are extremely grateful for any help they are receiving.