There's a need for a neutral force to calm the population. The Congolese army is a nascent, fledgling force. MONUC fulfills the task.

The threats haven't worked and the U.N. and the Congolese army have failed to get rid of all these armed groups.

The population has grown weary of a transitional government that is more concerned with personal enrichment than lifting them out of misery, and they are counting on the ballot box to improve their lot. If the elections go awry, they will turn once again to violence.

Imagine if Mike walked away and did not join the U.S. Army Air Force because he was too short. Hundreds of lives would have been lost.

Messages are free and can be sent to Marine, Army, Navy, Coast Guard or Air Force members -- stationed anywhere in the world. We will host all messages for free forever.

Unless you have a specialized force of a foreign army, such attacks are impossible to succeed.