The White House Office of the Press Secretary
9:48 A.M. (Local)
Q Can we ask you about Liberia, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: We had a good discussion about Liberia.
Q Have you made a decision?
THE PRESIDENT: The President of Ghana is the leader of ECOWAS. I told him we'd participate with ECOWAS. We're now in the process to determine the extent of our participation. And I really appreciate the President's leadership on this issue. Charles Taylor must leave. The United Nations is going to be involved. The United States will work with ECOWAS. -- the leaders of ECOWAS were at the table, all of whom are concerned about Liberia, as are we, and are concerned about a peaceful Western Africa.
Q Does that mean you'll send troops?
THE PRESIDENT: We're in the process of determining what is necessary to maintain the cease-fire and to allow for a peaceful transfer of power. We're working very closely with ECOWAS. The President of ECOWAS is with us today, the President of Ghana. He and I had a good discussion. I assured him we'll participate in the process. And we're now in the process of determining what that means.
Q Do you have to wait until Mr. Taylor is gone?
THE PRESIDENT: We're in the process of determining what that means.
Q Thank you.
END 9:52 A. M. (Local)
