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CNN Live At Daybreak
300 Nigerian Peacekeepers Arriving Today in Monrovia
Aired August 04, 2003 - 05:32 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: On to the subject of Liberia now. Some 300 peacekeepers from Nigeria are expected any time now in Monrovia. Their arrival cannot come soon enough for the people who live there.
Jeff Koinange live in Monrovia. He joins us live by phone.
Jeff -- have they arrived?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They haven't arrived yet, Carol, but we are right now standing on the tarmac at Roberts International Airport awaiting the long-awaited peacekeepers.
Now, remember, you just mentioned the number, "300." It may not be many, but psychologically it's going to make a big difference, Carol, because this country has been at war, not just for the past few weeks or few months, but the last 14 years. Peacekeepers have not been on the ground for the last seven years. So, this is going to be a welcome move right now.
And let's not forget, Carol, there are three U.S. naval ships anchored off the coast of Liberia right now about 50 miles. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they intend to bring those ships closer to shore, maybe about five or six miles, just to show a presence. Their presence is enough, hopefully, so that the cease-fire can be in effect and the rebels and government troops can stop firing -- Carol.
COSTELLO: The troops that will be actually in there, though, I read on the wires, Jeff -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- that a helicopter took off from Sierra Leone. What will be the mission of the peacekeepers when they arrive at the airport there?
KOINANGE: Basically the mission is, Carol, if they have to engage anyone firing at them, they have that authority. If they have to be peace enforcers, they will do that.
And remember, most of this contingent -- most of the battalions coming in are Nigerians. They are -- this terrain is not new to them. They have been in Liberia before. They know what the terrain is like and what the ground troops are like. Anyone engaging these peacekeepers, they are ready to open and return fire, Carol. So, they have that authority.
After that, hopefully if they do secure the airport, if they do secure the city, aid workers will bring much needed humanitarian relief to these suffering masses -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia from Liberia's airport 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 August 4, 2003 - 05:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to the subject of Liberia now. Some 300 peacekeepers from Nigeria are expected any time now in Monrovia. Their arrival cannot come soon enough for the people who live there.
Jeff Koinange live in Monrovia. He joins us live by phone.
Jeff -- have they arrived?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They haven't arrived yet, Carol, but we are right now standing on the tarmac at Roberts International Airport awaiting the long-awaited peacekeepers.
Now, remember, you just mentioned the number, "300." It may not be many, but psychologically it's going to make a big difference, Carol, because this country has been at war, not just for the past few weeks or few months, but the last 14 years. Peacekeepers have not been on the ground for the last seven years. So, this is going to be a welcome move right now.
And let's not forget, Carol, there are three U.S. naval ships anchored off the coast of Liberia right now about 50 miles. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they intend to bring those ships closer to shore, maybe about five or six miles, just to show a presence. Their presence is enough, hopefully, so that the cease-fire can be in effect and the rebels and government troops can stop firing -- Carol.
COSTELLO: The troops that will be actually in there, though, I read on the wires, Jeff -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- that a helicopter took off from Sierra Leone. What will be the mission of the peacekeepers when they arrive at the airport there?
KOINANGE: Basically the mission is, Carol, if they have to engage anyone firing at them, they have that authority. If they have to be peace enforcers, they will do that.
And remember, most of this contingent -- most of the battalions coming in are Nigerians. They are -- this terrain is not new to them. They have been in Liberia before. They know what the terrain is like and what the ground troops are like. Anyone engaging these peacekeepers, they are ready to open and return fire, Carol. So, they have that authority.
After that, hopefully if they do secure the airport, if they do secure the city, aid workers will bring much needed humanitarian relief to these suffering masses -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia from Liberia's airport 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.
