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CNN Sunday Morning
Fighting Between Rebels, Government Resumes in Liberia
Aired July 20, 2003 - 07:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In Africa, Liberia's capital is shaking again with the sound of gunfire and mortar explosions. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing into the city center now, trying to escape renewed fighting between rebel and government forces.
Jeff Koinange joins us now, on the phone, from Monrovia with the details on this.
Jeff, the situation has certainly escalated. What can you tell us about what's happening right now?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I tell you, Heidi, shaking is the right word. We are now, the entire CNN crew and several other TV crews, are inside the heavily fortified U.S. embassy because it has been raining mortar fire for most of the night.
In fact, there is a shell that landed, maybe, about 20 meters from the compound of the U.S. embassy. So, it tells you that the entire city is very unsafe right now. We've been told to all don our flack jackets and helmets right now, while we're outside the compound because bullets keep being fired over the embassy compound and clipping the trees. So, it is not safe at all.
People are fleeing all over the place. We heard that rebels are advancing towards the city center. So, it looks like obviously the cease-fire has been broken and all hell is breaking loose in the streets of Monrovia, Heidi.
COLLINS: Well, the pictures that we're looking at on the screen right now are pretty incredible, Jeff. I am wondering though, how coordinated are these rebels groups, do you think, at this point?
KOINANGE: You know what, you can't really tell how coordinated, but I'll tell you what -- they are moving very fast. Yesterday we had reached a point where we thought the battle line was, half an hour later they were even closer to the city. So they are moving very rapidly. And obviously they have the momentum.
They are launching these 81 and 82 millimeter mortars into the capital, into downtown Monrovia. So, obviously they're advancing as fast as they can. In terms of coordination, you can't really tell. But I think the ultimate target is the executive mansion where President Charles Taylor is hold up -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Jeff Koinange, we certainly hope you stay safe as well. Thanks so much for updating us this morning. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 20, 2003 - 07:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In Africa, Liberia's capital is shaking again with the sound of gunfire and mortar explosions. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing into the city center now, trying to escape renewed fighting between rebel and government forces.
Jeff Koinange joins us now, on the phone, from Monrovia with the details on this.
Jeff, the situation has certainly escalated. What can you tell us about what's happening right now?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I tell you, Heidi, shaking is the right word. We are now, the entire CNN crew and several other TV crews, are inside the heavily fortified U.S. embassy because it has been raining mortar fire for most of the night.
In fact, there is a shell that landed, maybe, about 20 meters from the compound of the U.S. embassy. So, it tells you that the entire city is very unsafe right now. We've been told to all don our flack jackets and helmets right now, while we're outside the compound because bullets keep being fired over the embassy compound and clipping the trees. So, it is not safe at all.
People are fleeing all over the place. We heard that rebels are advancing towards the city center. So, it looks like obviously the cease-fire has been broken and all hell is breaking loose in the streets of Monrovia, Heidi.
COLLINS: Well, the pictures that we're looking at on the screen right now are pretty incredible, Jeff. I am wondering though, how coordinated are these rebels groups, do you think, at this point?
KOINANGE: You know what, you can't really tell how coordinated, but I'll tell you what -- they are moving very fast. Yesterday we had reached a point where we thought the battle line was, half an hour later they were even closer to the city. So they are moving very rapidly. And obviously they have the momentum.
They are launching these 81 and 82 millimeter mortars into the capital, into downtown Monrovia. So, obviously they're advancing as fast as they can. In terms of coordination, you can't really tell. But I think the ultimate target is the executive mansion where President Charles Taylor is hold up -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Jeff Koinange, we certainly hope you stay safe as well. Thanks so much for updating us this morning. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
