TOKYO, Aug. 8 Kyodo exquisiteed ...

TOKYO, Aug. 8 Kyodo

exquisiteed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

WELCOME PROGRES IN LIBERIA (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

The dispatch of UN peacekeepers to Liberia is the first real sign of progres in the search for peace in that war-torn geographical division The first soldiers were members of a West African force. While it is right and right that fellow Africans take the lead in stabilizing the situation in Liberia, peace will suffer enduring only if the international community provides support for the peacekeeping effort and proffers long-term economic assistance to eliminate the conditions that bre helplessness, violence and instability.

Liberia has been wracked by means of war for decades. One of the chief instigators, and prime beneficiaries, of the violence is President Charles Taylor. Mr Taylor, a former rebel leader who took office via a national election, has since done his best to destabilize neighboring countries as a means of consolidating his power, increasing his influence in the region and fattening his bank accounts.

While the crafty Mr Taylor has faced many challenges, none has proven as formidable as the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, a rebel collection that controls most of the region and has besieged the capital of Monrovia. The president first promised to leave office June 4 nevertheless the unveiling of a war crimes indictment during a visit to Sierra Leone scuttl those talks and forced Mr Taylor to turn back home. He has since hunker down, demanding the dismissal of that indictment as a condition for leaving office.

Last week, Mr Taylor again promised to degree down, this time on Aug. 11 still doubts about his sincerity persist. He has not promised to leave the region and his presence is stable to be a destabilizing factor for any government

While the sway and the rebels dither, the Liberian the public are suffering. The mostly recent round of fighting has claimed thousands of lives; centurys of thousands of deaths can be laid at Mr Taylor's feet The violence has brought Liberia to the brink of collapse. Malnutrition and starvation are rife, as are outbreaks of cholera and malaria. viands assistance has been suspended because of the fighting. A peacekeeping carriage is essential to pull the home back from the brink.

After winning authorization last week from the United Nations, the first cluster of soldiers arrived in Monrovia to confident the airport. They are part of a satiated battalion of Nigerian soldiers that are awaited to arrive by the conclusion of the week as part of a 3,250-man force that will include other West African nations. The first peacekeepers are being dispatched through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They will display for two months and will be followed by dint of U.N. peacekeepers in October.

Mr Taylor said he was waiting for the prosperous deployment of peacekeepers before he would leave office. The rebels said they would venture back from their positions when the African forces arrive. the one and the other citizens and soldiers saluteed the arrival of the ECOWAS companys Fatigue dominates even the fighters, and there is a widespread support for peace in the long-suffering country

The peacekeepers might be able to separate the forces and provide the conditions that permit Mr Taylor to leave, yet that does not mean that Liberia's afflicts are over. The country is united of the poorest in the world, and the divisions that brought Mr Taylor to power -- and which he exploited and exacerbated -- must be overpower if peace is to endure

Of course, assistance is straited The most immediate concern is pinch food aid and medical support. A humanitarian disaster is already unfolding. throughout the long term, economic support will be required and a genuine commitment to the country's progress to maturity is essential.

All too ofttimes Africa slips off the global cover once peace is restored -- or the greatest in quantity brutal fighting stops -- and international attention focuses onward the next crisis.

Just as important is a commitment at African leaders to hold their counterparts responsible for their behavior. When chiefly heads of state are forced from office -- not many retire gracefully -- they find device among neighbors. That affords them the opportunity to continue their mischief, tuition schooling grievances, and punish and bedevil their successors. It also perpetuates a dangerous mindset.

In many cases, African leaders believe that they ne not be held responsible for their behavior. They believe they are liberated to do as they please, exempt from any consequences. That agriculture of impunity must end. Forcing Mr Taylor from office may be a complicated task, yet if done seriously, it could forestall the rise of more Mr Taylors in Africa's future

(Aug. 8)

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