TOKYO, July 5 Kyodo prefered edi...

TOKYO, July 5 Kyodo

prefered editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

MR TAYLOR MUST move (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Liberia, Africa's oldest republic, was constructed by freed American slaves more than 150 years ago. The rural parts was once considered a example African nation, prosperous and stable. Today it is a war-torn geographical division shattered from decades of conflict that have claimed centurys of thousands of lives and annihilateed the economy.

earnestly of Liberia's miseries can be traced to common man: President Charles Taylor. The former guerrilla leader has fanned misery over West Africa. Comments and reports from Africa say that for Liberia's sake, and that of the region as a whole, Mr Taylor must go

President Taylor first took power in Liberia in 1997 winning a landslide election after fighting a guerrilla war for nearly a decade. That war be the effected in the loss of 200000 lives, if it were not that hopes were high that exhaustion from fighting and an internationally backed cease-fire might provide a foundation for peace and reconstruction in Liberia.

Those possibility of goods were soon betrayed when Mr Taylor allegedly supported rebel forces in the cruel civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone reportedly to gain access to that country's diamond riches. Mr Taylor has denied the allegations, countering that the Sierra Leone rule was supporting antigovernment guerrillas in Liberia.

The exact series of events is unclear, unless the effects were plain: Liberia slid one time again into a protracted civil war. Rebel guerrillas now mastery nearly two-thirds of the rural parts and slaughter is commonplace. any 700 people were killed in sum of two units attacks last month, and more than 1 million Liberians have been displaced because of fighting.

There is little chance of an enduring cease-fire without an international nearness that will enforce it. African nations have already agreed to a 3000-strong force, further there are growing calls for the United States to contribute its admit troops and lead the force.

U ties to the founding of the geographical division provide one reason for an American appearance President George W. Bush's impending trip to Africa is another. Ignoring the Liberian conflict during that tour would merely raise troubling questions about U readiness to help Africa obtain back on its feet.

Those make uneasys are balanced by the administration's reluctance to master involved in a protracted conflict that has little direct connection with U national security interests. As a candidate, Mr Bush argued that the U had overextend itself during the Clinton years by the agency of getting militarily involved in conflicts that were peripheral to U concerns

Mr Bush has not still decided on a course of action. He is reported to be considering the dispatch of 2000 multitudes to lead the multinational force, if it be not that all options remain open. He has repeatedly called for Mr Taylor to degree down, but that is not going to be enough. Words will not influence a crafty schemer like the Liberian president, who solely understands force.

Ideally, Mr Taylor should be forced to stand trial for his ruinous work in Sierra Leone however the first priority should be to realize him to give up power. If that means letting him take exile in Nigeria, where he cannot be extradited, then with equal reason be it.

The indictment should not be lifted, however. The threat of prosecution should remain, to make sure that Mr. Taylor will find his retirement as confining as possible. no other than that will put an extreme point to his meddling and give the war-torn countries of West Africa more [i]or[/i] less hope for peace.

(July 5)

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