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Bangladesh, Namibia Pledge Liberia Troops
Bangladesh and Namibia agreed to contribute more than 5,000 troops for a United Nations peacekeeping force for Liberia, U.N. officials and diplomats said Friday. The U.N. force will replace a West African force that has already begun deploying to Liberia. The U.N. Security Council ordered the U.N. force to replace the multinational contingent by Oct. 1, but the proposal given to potential troop-contributing nations at a closed-door meeting Thursday calls for U.N. peacekeepers to start deploying on Nov. 1. "Or December 1, depending how long it takes to gouge the US for the money." Bangladeshâs U.N. Ambassador Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said Friday his government was prepared ``to send one full strength brigade, with headquarters and all ancillary support services - that would be roughly 3,500 troops.ââ The U.N. officials had said earlier that Bangladesh offered two brigades with 4,800 troops. Namibiaâs U.N. Ambassador Martin Andjaba said Friday his country offered two battalions, with about 1,600 soldiers because ``we were concerned about either the unwillingess or inability of the international community to deploy troops to Liberia to bring about peace and stability.ââ ``Our two battalions are ready at any time,ââ he said. Bangladesh will also consider sending an 800-strong engineering battalion, since the United Nations indicated it needs a strong engineering component, said Chowdhury. Jacques Paul Klein, the new U.N. special envoy to Liberia, appealed to diplomats from dozens of countries on Thursday to join the U.N. mission. He called for a robust force of between 12,000 and 15,000 troops to help stabilize the country, demobilize combatants and provide security so democratic elections can be held for a new government. India, Pakistan, Ireland and South Africa may also provide troops for the U.N. force, they said. The U.N. Security Council has authorized a two-month deployment for the multinational force to help end fighting between forces loyal to President Charles Taylor and rebels trying to oust him - and to provide security once Taylor leaves. Chowdhury said developing countries like Bangladesh must promote development in Africa. And who better to teach about development than the Bengalideshis, I ask? ``To put development back on track as an international goal, ethnic conflicts must cease,ââ he said. Posted by: Steve White 2003-08-09 |
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