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Marines leave liberia { August 25 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-lib25.html http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-lib25.html Marines in Liberia go back to ships August 25, 2003 BY EDWARD HARRIS MONROVIA, Liberia--A 150-strong Marine force withdrew to ships off the Liberian capital's coast on Sunday, ending significant U.S. military deployment on the ground after 11 days and disappointing many Liberians. The Marines said American troops would be in better position on the warships to respond to any flare-ups in Liberia's week-old peace accord, meant to end 14 years of conflict. Liberians, watching U.S. military helicopters whir out of sight in the unannounced departure, spoke fearfully of being deserted. ''They're forsaking us,'' said 22-year-old Emmanuel Slawon. ''We wish they'd stay until peace would come. Their presence here puts fear in our fighters--it makes them think if they carry on hostilities, they'll be handled by the Americans.'' The U.S. warships remain off Liberia, appearing in and out of view off a coast lined with black rocks. The United States has not said when they will pull away. ''Why did they go away?'' cried Hawa Adra, 31, a refugee watching in the rain with her 3-month-old daughter, Gift, on her back. A West African peace force that arrived about three weeks ago has helped stop fighting in Monrovia. The government and two main rebel movements also signed a peace accord made possible by the Aug. 11 resignation and exile of former President Charles Taylor, now in Nigeria. But clashes persist in the countryside--sending refugees fleeing this weekend several miles from the airport. U.S. military helicopters flew over that area Sunday, on a patrol requested by West African forces to try to help determine the source of gunfire and artillery explosions on Friday. Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea also claimed fighting persisted Sunday near the Guinea border. It was impossible to verify the allegation. President Bush put the rapid-reaction force on the ground Aug. 14, under pressure internationally to intervene to quell bloodletting in Liberia, a nation founded by freed American slaves with U.S. government backing in the 19th century. CH-46 military helicopters carried the Marines back out of Liberia on Sunday, in driving rain. ''Let's hope they'll have peace in Liberia,'' said a Marine who didn't give his name, heading for the waiting CH-46, its rotors turning. About 100 U.S. troops remain on the ground--70 guarding the U.S. Embassy, and 30 acting as liaisons with West African peacekeepers, Lt. Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit force, said as he left. The decision ''reflects the situation on the ground here,'' Collins said. ''We're here to support [the West Africans], but we can do it better from the ship.'' Some 1,500 Nigerian soldiers, the vanguard of a promised 3,250-member West African-led force, have arrived in Liberia, a nation of 3.2 million people. AP

90 killed in liberia mortar barrage { July 21 2003 } Bush peace mission liberia { July 8 2003 } Civilians massacred liberia Clashes massacre report strain peace { August 25 2003 } Fighting rages on liberian capital { June 25 2003 } First female african president elected in liberia { November 20 2005 } Harvard educated economist wins liberian elections { November 10 2005 } Liberia created american experiment { July 1 2003 } Liberia reports 200 300 civilians killed { June 26 2003 } Liberians march for us troops Libya khadafi support to monrovia { July 9 2003 } Marines fly liberia { July 21 2003 } Marines join nigerian peacekeepers { August 15 2003 } Marines leave liberia { August 25 2003 } Marines to liberia { August 6 2003 } Mortar fire hits us embassy Pat robertson liberia gold mine { May 28 2002 } Pat robertson liberia taylor { June 4 2003 } Taylor blames us for liberia woe Taylor leaves to nigeria Taylor says us behind rebels { August 11 2003 } Taylor trafficked guns and diamonds { July 23 2003 } Un troops begin liberia mission { October 1 2003 } Un votes to send peacekeepers Us departs liberia for un { October 1 2003 } Us funds rebels for diamonds gold { August 11 2003 } West african troops land liberia Years of war leave liberia hollow { September 9 2003 } Files Listed: 28

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