[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF SENSE OF CONGRESS BILL ON LIBERIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution expressing 
the sense of the Congress that while we encourage a regional West 
African effort to resolve the Liberia crisis, the United States 
military has no role--either alone or as part of a multinational 
force--in that country.
  We all recognize the tragedy in Liberia. A civil war has raged there 
for the past 14 years, leaving thousands dead and a million without 
homes. Horrific stories of atrocities abound. We wish for peace and a 
resolution to the conflict. But we must recognize that this resolution 
should come through regional West African efforts. These are the 
countries involved and affected; these are the countries with the most 
incentive to resolve the problem. Simply stated, there is no U.S. 
national security interest at stake in the conflict--no matter how 
widely ``national interest'' is defined.
  But the administration is currently pondering repeated calls by some 
in the U.S. and especially the United Nations to commit thousands of 
troops to a full-fledged American operation in Liberia. According to 
press reports, the Pentagon has just ordered about 4,500 sailors and 
marines from the Horn of Africa into the Mediterranean Sea, so as to be 
closer to Liberia--just in case.
  Before we commit our troops to yet another foreign intervention, 
Congress must at the very least consider the implications of further 
committing our already seriously overextended military. According to 
recent press reporting, of the 33 brigades that make up the entirety of 
the U.S. Army's active duty combat forces, all but just three brigades 
are either currently engaged in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, are 
committed to other missions, or are reconstituting. This suggests that 
the U.S. military is in serious danger of becoming over-extended.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no U.S. interest in the conflict and U.S. 
military involvement could well lead to resentment and more violence 
against U.S. troops, as we saw in Somalia. We must ponder this 
possibility before yet again putting our men and women in uniform in 
harm's way.
  I hope very much that my colleagues will join me in this effort and 
that we may see a quick Floor vote on this very important measure.




                          ____________________