http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=68&ncid=716&e=16&u=/nyt/20030708/ts_nyt/liberiansaysusbackshisenemiesMONROVIA, Liberia, July 7 President Charles Taylor, in an interview, accused the United States today of supporting his rebel enemies and pressed Washington to prove its commitment to Liberia by sending peacekeepers. He also added a surprising coda to his promise to step down, calling his exile a brief "cooling-off period" before a return to Liberian politics.
Asked about his legacy, Mr. Taylor, who was indicted on 17 counts of crimes against humanity for "bearing the greatest responsibility" for mutilations and rapes in neighboring Sierra Leone, said he wanted, above all, to be remembered as "the man that brought peace to Liberia."
"I think it's expedient at this time for Charles Taylor to sacrifice," he said of his departure. He said he was prepared to leave in the "shortest possible time" after international troops arrived. Otherwise, he said, there would be bedlam.
"If we high-tailed out of here without an international force, don't you think there would be a free-for-all?" Mr. Taylor wondered aloud.
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