LIBERIA,TOO?
What is it which makes the present plight of Liberia different from others?
We are trying , it seems, not to “meddle” in their affair. We seem to feel their situation is desperate and may get worse unless some relief is forthcoming - and soon. We are hesitant about taking any actions due to some extent because of our involvements elsewhere.
But the special element of concern to be found therein, I feel, is, to a large extent, because we feel a curious sense of guilt when we remember the dominant role we played in the creation and development of Liberia as a nation.
We seem to have deeply seated feelings of obligation to the nation because we had a major role in its birth. We are, at the same time, not too proud of our in-attention to their needs during the ensuing years. The world, and the African continent, in particular, has seen many changes since the day of our President James Monroe, after whom the presently besieged capital city of Monrovia is named.
The physical placement of the nation in a strip of small African nations, each of which has suffered like ills, is not exactly the best place in the world in which to expect democratic principles to take root and to thrive unaided. We have, I think, had some second thoughts about the wisdom of entering the area in the in the first place.
We have made some poor choices over the years concerning various political groups in Liberia and surrounding countries and we have supported the wrong factions at times which may have seemed to our political leaders controlling our own affairs to have been proper and just for various reasons.
Is it too late? Can any genuine improvements or changes be bought about in Liberia?
I do not envy our President George W. Bush as he makes the decision which must be made within the next few days. I am writing this on July 4, 2003 at a time when we are especially mindful of independence and national sovereignty for all. His is not an easy task, especially, when the subject nation is in such dire turmoil.
President Bush is among those who agree that Charles Taylor, Liberia's President should step down, at least, until such time as peace and security can be restored. It seems almost a sure thing that a small police or peacekeeping military force will be sent to Monrovia soon. Over the longer range studies must be made of recent elections in Liberia to determine if they were legal.
Let's face it. It is one thing to enter such places as Somalia, Bosnia, Croatia, or Granada and quite another to go into Liberia.
A.L.M. July 4, 2003 [c425wds]
