Some African diplomats assessed the proposed force as too little to do the job.

"Eyadema is not going to roll over and play dead at the conference," an African diplomat said.

American and African diplomats said a leading candidate for the job has finally emerged.

"Nobody seems to have bothered to think this through very carefully," said a senior African diplomat.

However, African diplomats and officials say there are more complex political relationships to consider beyond those of ethnicity.

"There's only one way to end this thing without any further bloodshed," said an African diplomat from a neighboring country.

She returned to find that they had tried to install an African diplomat as a tenant.

"It's nearly impossible these days to get to someone who's really in charge," said an African diplomat from a neighboring country.

"Neither side has shown any willingness to compromise," said one African diplomat.

His organization has strong ties with African diplomats in Washington.