DEPLOY THE TROOPS IN THE NEW YEAR?

It's a new year--with some old wars and disturbances-- and maybe some new ones.

As the year ended, the U.N. had peace-keeping or peacemaking forces (some big and some small) in 16 countries or regions: Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, El Salvador, Georgia, Haiti, India/Pakistan, Iraq/Kuwait, Israel/Syria, Lebanon, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Western Sahara, Somalia, Former Yugoslavia.

There are several additional potential hot spots plus some of the old carry-overs that might require some attention in 1994 by the U.N. or President Clinton or both.

Modern foreign policy, it is alleged, is more and more shaped by the determination and will of the people. When it comes to deploying U.S. military forces, the continuing support of the American people is imperative. If we "go," we've got to be prepared to stay a while. What are your choices for potential military involvement in 1994?

Mail ballot to:

Thomas F. Eagleton

c/o Commentary Page

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

900 N. Tucker Blvd.

St. Louis, Mo 63101.

Algeria - Armed Islamic group murdering foreigners. U.S. State Department orders Americans out. Arabic-speaking under class vs. Francophone elite. 3,000 dead.

Angola - Peace talks continue as they have, on and off, since 1975. There may be an agreement, but both government and UNITA (Savimbi) guerrillas remain armed and ready.

Armenia - Blockade problem plus bloodshed.

Azerbaijan - Continuing conflict.

Afghanistan - Civil conflict. U.S. supported Afghan rebels against USSR, but now seems to have lost interest in the country.

Bosnia - Bloodbath of incomprehensible consequences. What do we do?

Burundi - Tribal bloodshed.

Gabon - Sub-Sahara's richest country, but widespread poverty as wealth remains with the powerful. One-man rule for 26 years. Riots.

Georgia - Bloody civil war. Warm old friend of U.S., Eduard Shevrednaze, in trouble. U.S. famous for sticking with old friends.

Haiti - Can Aristide ever return without U.S. protection? Does U.S. ever want to provide protection?

Iraq (Kurds) - Whenever Saddam gets a little restless, he kills a bunch. We were supposed to protect them after Persian Gulf War.

Liberia - Bloody unrest. Liberia is one of our oldest friends in Africa.

Macedonia - Bush and Clinton have drawn the line in the sand.

Mozambique - Elections scheduled for October; but contending groups do not want to disarm and rioters protest prices. IMF wants more pain.

Rwanda - Ethnic conflict.

Sierra Leone - Ethnic conflict.

Somalia - High probability of civil war and famine after U.S. withdraws on March 31, 1994. Should we stay? Should we ask others to stay?

Sudan - Conflict and drought.

Tadzhikistan - Conflict.

Zaire - Ethnic strike.