Mommy, Why is there fighting in Liberia? 07.23.03

from the BBC:

Africa's oldest republic was founded by freed American slaves, but in the past couple of decades it has been in an almost continuous state of civil war. President Charles Taylor himself led an armed rebellion during the 1980s and 1990s, before he won elections in 1997.

He has also been accused of destabilising neighbouring countries, especially Sierra Leone where he was said to have profited massively from supporting rebels operating in diamond mining areas.

However, thanks to the world's largest international peacekeeping operation, the fighting is now over in Sierra Leone, and one of Mr Taylor's main revenue sources has dried up.

Accused of operating like a warlord, he has also alienated political opponents and whole ethnic groups within the country.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2975834.stm

Also, on the American response, a/k/a, "Go, or else, what?" click here, the Economist.