British aid agencies issued a joint statement late on Wednesday in which they called for the urgent deployment of international peacekeepers to war-torn Liberia.
The agencies called for a United Nations resolution to be passed ”as a matter of urgency” to enable international peacekeepers to lawfully enter the west African country.
”If (US) President Bush is unwilling to commit troops under a UN mandate then he must make a clear and immediate declaration to that effect, and other countries including those of the European Union should step into the breach,” the agencies said.
The joint statement was issued by Save the Children, Action Aid, Christian Aid and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
West African leaders have decided to send 1 300 Nigerian troops to Liberia on a date to be set next week, the head of the regional Economic Community of West African States said on Wednesday.
”While West African countries have pledged to send in troops, the agencies believe that their credibility within Liberia will only be assured if the US or other world powers play a major role in any mission.”
The agencies added that ”the waiting game currently being played by the US administration is costing lives”.
”President George Bush has prevaricated for over a week since meeting with United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, about committing US forces to Liberia.
”Meanwhile, the rest of the world has stood by as Liberia has disintegrated once more into chaos,” they said.
Bush has refused to heed demands led by Annan and France to lead a multinational force in Liberia. He has said troops could be sent on a ”limited” mission but only after the exit of Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Fighting continued for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday in Monrovia between forces loyal to Taylor and rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, who already control about four-fifths of the country. – Sapa-AFP