Liberia's screwed

[Kramerman]

Re strykers

if they are so bad, then why are they being built? government contract politics or somethn? like the early bradleys that really sucked ass because of it?

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Oerdin


Is that why they fired mortar rounds into our embassy yesterday. Sure, a good many want us there now but what happens when we start searching their houses for guns during a 5am cordon and search? Or how about when we start giving people traffic tickets for not following laws or after we arrest several of the local war lords because they're are murdering, raping, drug dealing scum? It won't take long for the locals to want us gone again just like the Somolies and the Iraqis and the Afghans; once that happens ever American in the country will have a giant bulls eye on him.

Just to respond, a spokesman from the US Embassy said today that he's confident the mortar rounds which have hit the Embassy so far (2 or 3?) were not deliberately aimed at it.

[Pekka]

The situation is looking pretty wild. I've been watching news, but not in lets say 12 hours.. guys were running wild and shooting there rifles from hip, emptying magazines without aiming or having any decent form of military organizing, like all the rebels (in Africa anyway). I bet 80% of them were kids to begin with, or so it seemed. Mostly killing civies, as they sure as hell weren't aiming or knowing what they were shooting at, just shooting.

But the good side to this is, that they are easy to fight, as they didn't look to have any kind of order or skills. But then again, these people need to have defense against these rebels soon, it was looking pretty bad I tell you that much. I figure those marines sent there can do some good, as they are soldiers and not rebel hoodloms bouncing in the streets with their guns. (Liberia, if interested in defense, PM me for Susie Q info.. )

[KrazyHorse]

like all the rebels

Well, it would be a shame if they fought any differently from the national armies of Africa...

[Pekka]

KH, Well.. I've tried to figure out the tactics of their city combats, haven't been there but all I've seen on tv is highly UNorganized teenagers with rifles running wildly on streets. You see one guy running forward, then running back, then running forward again, in the middle of the street. To this day I haven't figured out wtf they try to accomplish by doing that. And then shooting their rifles with one hand, empyting the whole magazine.

It is a great mystery. Maybe I'm just a uninformed, or uneducated fool, but I can not see the benefits of that.
Maybe they are posing to the cameras and showing bravery in some weird local way, but still..
By doing that, they only kill civilians trapped somewhere in the streets with random, unaimed fire.

Just like in Ivory Coast, when FFL landed to counter the advancing rebels. I mean the first day of fighting was (I'm pulling this one out of my hat) 50 dead rebels and one wounded legionnaire.

[cinch]

*********************************
U.S. to send forces to Liberia
Last Updated Fri, 25 Jul 2003 23:26:04
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George Bush Friday ordered American troops and warships to take up positions off the coast of Liberia.

The soldiers will not enter the country yet, but the president said they will eventually play an important role.

"We're deeply concerned that the condition of the Liberian people is getting worse and worse and worse," he said. "Aid can't get to the people. We're worried about the outbreak of disease."

Rebels declared an immediate ceasefire after hearing the news, but reports of mortar blasts continue.

The U.S. military will help West African peacekeepers get into Liberia, and speed up delivery of food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance.

Bush said it will be up to the United Nations to find "a political solution" to the crisis, and "for relieving U.S. troops in short order." The Pentagon will release more details of the military operation soon, he added.

In an earlier statement on Friday, the White House repeated demands that Liberian President Charles Taylor must give up power.

Bush has been debating whether to send U.S. troops to Liberia since a new ceasefire agreement was announced last month.

Taylor – wanted by a UN-backed court for alleged war crimes in neighbouring Sierra Leone – has offered to go into exile in Nigeria, but he has said he won't leave until an international peacekeeping force is in place in Liberia.

In Liberia's capital city of Monrovia, meanwhile, at least 12 people were killed on Friday in more fighting. Rebels and government forces blamed each other for the deadly attack.

Residents ran for cover as the worst shelling in four days killed at least 12 people and injured 100 others.

The attack rattled the area around the U.S. Embassy, where thousands of Liberians gathered looking for protection.

Militants have been trying to overthrow Taylor's regime for three years.

**********************************

Better late than never, I guess.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Pekka
KH, Well.. I've tried to figure out the tactics of their city combats, haven't been there but all I've seen on tv is highly UNorganized teenagers with rifles running wildly on streets. You see one guy running forward, then running back, then running forward again, in the middle of the street. To this day I haven't figured out wtf they try to accomplish by doing that. And then shooting their rifles with one hand, empyting the whole magazine.

It is a great mystery. Maybe I'm just a uninformed, or uneducated fool, but I can not see the benefits of that.
Maybe they are posing to the cameras and showing bravery in some weird local way, but still..
By doing that, they only kill civilians trapped somewhere in the streets with random, unaimed fire.

No ****. But there's no discipline whatsoever in the ranks. Some guy feels like letting a few rounds off and running around, nobody's going to stop him. His CO's probably just happy the fire's not directed at him.

[Pekka]

If they even have CO's or any kind of structure. Maybe they just have one guy who knows where the place is and then they just wing it from there.

[DanS]

KH, Well.. I've tried to figure out the tactics of their city combats, haven't been there but all I've seen on tv is highly UNorganized teenagers with rifles running wildly on streets. You see one guy running forward, then running back, then running forward again, in the middle of the street. To this day I haven't figured out wtf they try to accomplish by doing that. And then shooting their rifles with one hand, empyting the whole magazine.

I guess they are just trying to make their opponents scared, and they are scared themselves. Like the whole colored wig thing.

[KrazyHorse]

Bang on.

They get **** training, **** equipment and are probably picked up in press gangs.

They're pissing their pants. I'd be too.

[DanS]

Better late than never, I guess.

Whaddya mean? 15 years late?

[cinch]

Whaddya mean? 15 years late?

15 years, 2 weeks; either or.

[DanS]

We're never late. We arrive precisely when we mean to.

Remember that this is no particular responsibility of ours.