US marines fly into Monrovia

By DECLAN WALSH in Monrovia

A seven-man team of US marines flew into Monrovia today, ratcheting up American involvement in the unfurling West African peace mission.

Three helicopters swept into the heavily fortified US embassy from warships stationed 100 miles offshore, where President George Bush has ordered 2,300 troops to await further orders. The marines drove to the city airport for talks with the Nigerian commander of a West African peacekeeping mission that started arriving on Monday.

But the US is hesitating over deploying troops for onshore peacekeeping duty, stressing it will only play a support role " mainly communications and logistics" to the mission.

"There are certain things we cannot provide you with," one American could be heard telling his Nigerian counterparts.

Excited Liberian children craned their necks to see the olive-green helicopters landing but their parents were growing impatient with repeated promises of American help.

"We feel downhearted because we love the Americans. But they are dragging their feet," said Aloysius Jetto, a refugee standing opposite the embassy entrance.

Three days into West African mission, which should swell to 3,250 troops by the end of the month, living conditions are still dire in Monrovia. Rebels' occupation of the northern half of the city has cut off the port and vital humanitarian supplies. In the street market that runs along the US embassy walls, traders sold peppers, snails, small lumps of raw meat and cassava leaves.

"When I eat, I don't get full," said Decontree Tarpeh, a young mother.

Even government fighters crossed the frontlines to swap clothes for rice with their rebel enemies.

"My people, they need something to eat," said a government militia fighter who gave his name as Steve Biko.

The Nigerian force commander, whose troops are still camped at the city airport, said they would start to deploy in the city from today.

Securing port access will require the consent of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels. But the rebels say they will withdraw only after President Charles Taylor resigns and goes into exile.

Mr Taylor has promised to leave office on Monday but has sent mixed signals about his intention to leave the country. Yesterday Liberia asked the UN World Court to drop war crimes against him being brought by a Special Court in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

But Mohammed Ibn Chambas of the regional Ecowas bloc said he expected the embattled president to confirm his intention to seek asylum in Nigeria at a special session of parliament today.

- INDEPENDENT