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CNN Live At Daybreak
Presidential Hopeful Al Sharpton to Visit Embattled Liberian Leader
Aired July 21, 2003 - 06:04 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is getting evermore violent in Liberia. U.S. presidential hopeful Al Sharpton is trying to fly into that country this morning, as the people who live there run for safety again.
More now from Monrovia with CNN reporter Jeff Koinange.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is day three of the battle for Monrovia, and throughout the night gunfire could be heard in the streets of Monrovia. Also this morning, intermittent firing could be heard somewhere in the west part of the city.
We understand apparently the rebels are trying to make their way towards the west side of the city in order to completely put a chokehold on the city of Monrovia. If they do secure the west part of town, that will be the only road leading to the airport. We do know for a fact that the rebels do control the seaport, and once they control those two, they will be able to determine what comes in and what goes out, meaning they will put an entire chokehold on the city of Monrovia.
Now, in an interview this morning, Liberian armed forces commander, General Benjamin Yaten (ph), told the Reuter News Agency that the next two days will determine the course of this battle, and this was, he says, either we'll know who wins or who loses. So, the next 48 hours are key.
At the same time, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia John Blaney has been in contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and the order has been issued for a fast-track team, a fleet antiterrorism security team, which is in neighboring Sierra Leone, to be deployed to Liberia to secure the embassy perimeter.
This is Jeff Koinange, CNN, Monrovia, Liberia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And, again, Al Sharpton is stuck in the country next door. It's just too dangerous to fly into Liberia right now. Of course, we will keep you posted.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Liberian Leader>
Aired July 21, 2003 - 06:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is getting evermore violent in Liberia. U.S. presidential hopeful Al Sharpton is trying to fly into that country this morning, as the people who live there run for safety again.
More now from Monrovia with CNN reporter Jeff Koinange.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is day three of the battle for Monrovia, and throughout the night gunfire could be heard in the streets of Monrovia. Also this morning, intermittent firing could be heard somewhere in the west part of the city.
We understand apparently the rebels are trying to make their way towards the west side of the city in order to completely put a chokehold on the city of Monrovia. If they do secure the west part of town, that will be the only road leading to the airport. We do know for a fact that the rebels do control the seaport, and once they control those two, they will be able to determine what comes in and what goes out, meaning they will put an entire chokehold on the city of Monrovia.
Now, in an interview this morning, Liberian armed forces commander, General Benjamin Yaten (ph), told the Reuter News Agency that the next two days will determine the course of this battle, and this was, he says, either we'll know who wins or who loses. So, the next 48 hours are key.
At the same time, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia John Blaney has been in contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and the order has been issued for a fast-track team, a fleet antiterrorism security team, which is in neighboring Sierra Leone, to be deployed to Liberia to secure the embassy perimeter.
This is Jeff Koinange, CNN, Monrovia, Liberia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And, again, Al Sharpton is stuck in the country next door. It's just too dangerous to fly into Liberia right now. Of course, we will keep you posted.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Liberian Leader>
