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CNN Live At Daybreak
Renewed Fighting in Monrovia
Aired July 21, 2003 - 05:34 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: Now to one of the world's other major hot spots, Liberia. There has been renewed fighting in the capital, Monrovia.
Our Jeff Koinange is there.
He joins us live now with the details -- and you yourself had to evacuate, Jeff.
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol.
We can tell you that throughout the night there was fighting going on in the streets of Monrovia. In fact, a couple of us were woken up about three o'clock in the morning to the sounds of gunfire interrupted with the constant thump, thumping of mortar shells falling in the streets.
We can tell you there's intermittent fighting as the rebels make their way towards the west part of the city in an effort to seal off, choke off the city, if you will, and create that kind of a chokehold on the city of Monrovia.
We can also tell you that Liberia's commander of the armed forces said in an interview with the Reuters News Agency this morning that the next 48 hours are crucial in this battle. He says there's no retreat, no surrender, and the next 48 hours will determine the course of this battle.
We can also tell you that U.S. ambassador to Liberia, John Blaney, was in consultation with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the order has been made to deploy the fast track team, the strategic team, the Marines special forces who are normally based in Rota, Spain, who have been in neighboring Sierra Leone. They now have been deployed to come to Liberia.
But their basic role is to secure the embassy perimeter and prepare for possible evacuations -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I know there have been attacks on humanitarian aid workers, attacks on embassies there, on reporters. But tell me about Al Sharpton. I know he's trying to get into Liberia. Is he there yet? Is he on his way?
KOINANGE: He is on -- apparently he is on his way, Carol.
What we hear, he's still in neighboring Akara (ph) in consultation with the government here to see whether he will be allowed to land, because, as you know, the airport has been closed and all flights have been canceled. But last night we understand he did have dinner with some of the members of the oppo -- of the main rebel group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy. And it is expected that he will be arriving some time Monday -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Will Charles Taylor agree to see him?
KOINANGE: It looks like he will, Carol, because right now Charles Taylor has nothing to lose. If he does have, if the security is well enough, if they do allow that plane to land, then I don't see the problem with Al Sharpton meeting with President Taylor.
COSTELLO: All right, you be careful.
Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia this morning.
Our Web site takes an extensive look at the Liberian crisis, including an interactive report on U.S. involvement in the West African nation. Click onto cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.
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 21, 2003 - 05:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to one of the world's other major hot spots, Liberia. There has been renewed fighting in the capital, Monrovia.
Our Jeff Koinange is there.
He joins us live now with the details -- and you yourself had to evacuate, Jeff.
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol.
We can tell you that throughout the night there was fighting going on in the streets of Monrovia. In fact, a couple of us were woken up about three o'clock in the morning to the sounds of gunfire interrupted with the constant thump, thumping of mortar shells falling in the streets.
We can tell you there's intermittent fighting as the rebels make their way towards the west part of the city in an effort to seal off, choke off the city, if you will, and create that kind of a chokehold on the city of Monrovia.
We can also tell you that Liberia's commander of the armed forces said in an interview with the Reuters News Agency this morning that the next 48 hours are crucial in this battle. He says there's no retreat, no surrender, and the next 48 hours will determine the course of this battle.
We can also tell you that U.S. ambassador to Liberia, John Blaney, was in consultation with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the order has been made to deploy the fast track team, the strategic team, the Marines special forces who are normally based in Rota, Spain, who have been in neighboring Sierra Leone. They now have been deployed to come to Liberia.
But their basic role is to secure the embassy perimeter and prepare for possible evacuations -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I know there have been attacks on humanitarian aid workers, attacks on embassies there, on reporters. But tell me about Al Sharpton. I know he's trying to get into Liberia. Is he there yet? Is he on his way?
KOINANGE: He is on -- apparently he is on his way, Carol.
What we hear, he's still in neighboring Akara (ph) in consultation with the government here to see whether he will be allowed to land, because, as you know, the airport has been closed and all flights have been canceled. But last night we understand he did have dinner with some of the members of the oppo -- of the main rebel group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy. And it is expected that he will be arriving some time Monday -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Will Charles Taylor agree to see him?
KOINANGE: It looks like he will, Carol, because right now Charles Taylor has nothing to lose. If he does have, if the security is well enough, if they do allow that plane to land, then I don't see the problem with Al Sharpton meeting with President Taylor.
COSTELLO: All right, you be careful.
Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia this morning.
Our Web site takes an extensive look at the Liberian crisis, including an interactive report on U.S. involvement in the West African nation. Click onto cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
