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American Morning
President Charles Taylor Says He'll Step Down on Monday
Aired August 07, 2003 - 09:42 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: More now on the story that topped the hour for us here. Coming out of Liberia, CNN has learned that beleaguered President Charles Taylor will leave the country soon as promised.
Our Jeff Koinange joins us now by videophone from Monrovia.
Jeff, you were able to speak directly to Charles Taylor. What did he tell you?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He told me, Leon, that he's keeping to his word, he wants to quash all of the rumors flying around that he's going to renege on (AUDIO GAP) moments ago, Leon, that he is indeed going to step down on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. CHARLES TAYLOR, LIBERIA: They have agreed in principle and in writing on the succession of power. On Monday, at midday, the vice president of the republic of Liberia will be sworn into office. I have the documents for historical purposes. Let people stop maybe because some of the big countries have not been trustworthy in some of their statements that they are here to play games. We're not here to play games.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOINANGE: I pressed him further about -- Leon, I pressed him further about when he is actually going to leave the country. I said, would it take a week? Would it take 10 days after that? He said a week is too long, but I can't tell you when I'm leaving , because it's a national security issue -- Leon.
HARRIS: And he did confirm that he was going to Nigeria, is that correct?
KOINANGE: That's right. He did say he is going to Nigeria, but he didn't say when. He didn't say how. And we tried to press him, and he said, I can't tell you, that is my secret. But he also went on to say that he's keeping to his word, 11:59 Monday morning he steps down, but he also confirms for the very first time, Leon, that it is indeed the vice president who will take over when President Taylor finally steps down -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, Jeff Koinange, reporting live for us from Monrovia.
Thank you very much, Jeff. We'll talk to you later on.
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 7, 2003 - 09:42 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: More now on the story that topped the hour for us here. Coming out of Liberia, CNN has learned that beleaguered President Charles Taylor will leave the country soon as promised.
Our Jeff Koinange joins us now by videophone from Monrovia.
Jeff, you were able to speak directly to Charles Taylor. What did he tell you?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He told me, Leon, that he's keeping to his word, he wants to quash all of the rumors flying around that he's going to renege on (AUDIO GAP) moments ago, Leon, that he is indeed going to step down on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. CHARLES TAYLOR, LIBERIA: They have agreed in principle and in writing on the succession of power. On Monday, at midday, the vice president of the republic of Liberia will be sworn into office. I have the documents for historical purposes. Let people stop maybe because some of the big countries have not been trustworthy in some of their statements that they are here to play games. We're not here to play games.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOINANGE: I pressed him further about -- Leon, I pressed him further about when he is actually going to leave the country. I said, would it take a week? Would it take 10 days after that? He said a week is too long, but I can't tell you when I'm leaving , because it's a national security issue -- Leon.
HARRIS: And he did confirm that he was going to Nigeria, is that correct?
KOINANGE: That's right. He did say he is going to Nigeria, but he didn't say when. He didn't say how. And we tried to press him, and he said, I can't tell you, that is my secret. But he also went on to say that he's keeping to his word, 11:59 Monday morning he steps down, but he also confirms for the very first time, Leon, that it is indeed the vice president who will take over when President Taylor finally steps down -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, Jeff Koinange, reporting live for us from Monrovia.
Thank you very much, Jeff. We'll talk to you later on.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
