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CNN Live At Daybreak
End of Taylor's Reign as President Just Under Three Hours Away
Aired August 11, 2003 - 05:09 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: The end of Charles Taylor's reign as president of Liberia is now just under three hours away. But it's still unknown when he will leave for exile in Nigeria, and that is an important point.
For more on Taylor's impending resignation, we take you to Monrovia and CNN's Jeff Koinange -- and, Jeff, Mr. Taylor had some unkind words for the United States, didn't he?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No doubt, Carol. He all but blamed the United States for his failed presidency. In fact, he said the United States has been funding the main rebel movement called LURD, calling on the United States to, in his own words, call off the dogs. He laid the blame squarely at the United States, Carol.
And we can tell you right now, we are actually standing in front of the executive mansion -- if I can step away for a couple of moments. That is the building that's been President Taylor's office for the last six years. That's the same building that will be the focus of today's ceremony in the coming hours.
Now, right now the dignitaries should be arriving momentarily. President Taylor is currently at the airport right now. No, he's not leaving just yet, Carol. He's welcoming the heads of state who are going to be here at this ceremony.
Now, coming back to his speech last night, he also left the door open to his eventual return, saying in his own words, "I'll be back" -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And just a word about the rebel group and the allegations he made that the United States is backing that rebel group. The United States doesn't much like that group either, does it?
KOINANGE: No, it doesn't at all. In fact, the rebel group has been making new demands every single day and there's been a lot of friction between the main rebel group and the West African peacekeepers, and also the U.S. military advisers. So it's a lot stickier than a lot of people anticipated. That's why the port hasn't opened up. That's why much needed food relief hasn't come in yet. That's going to be one of the sticking points.
But we're expecting some developments later in the day once President Taylor steps down and possibly leaves the country -- Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, if you were a betting man, and I know you don't like to speculate, but is it possible that Charles Taylor will not step down?
KOINANGE: Carol, he has reneged on so many deals in the past, but this time his back is so far against the wall I cannot see how he cannot step down. He cannot afford to, Carol.
He did say at precisely 11:59 he would do that, because according to the Liberian constitution, the new president has to be sworn in by midday. And there are also, there's so many witnesses to this day, that we are there, there's several African presidents present to make sure that the whole ceremony goes according to plan. There's no way he can renege on this one -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia 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
Away>
Aired August 11, 2003 - 05:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The end of Charles Taylor's reign as president of Liberia is now just under three hours away. But it's still unknown when he will leave for exile in Nigeria, and that is an important point.
For more on Taylor's impending resignation, we take you to Monrovia and CNN's Jeff Koinange -- and, Jeff, Mr. Taylor had some unkind words for the United States, didn't he?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No doubt, Carol. He all but blamed the United States for his failed presidency. In fact, he said the United States has been funding the main rebel movement called LURD, calling on the United States to, in his own words, call off the dogs. He laid the blame squarely at the United States, Carol.
And we can tell you right now, we are actually standing in front of the executive mansion -- if I can step away for a couple of moments. That is the building that's been President Taylor's office for the last six years. That's the same building that will be the focus of today's ceremony in the coming hours.
Now, right now the dignitaries should be arriving momentarily. President Taylor is currently at the airport right now. No, he's not leaving just yet, Carol. He's welcoming the heads of state who are going to be here at this ceremony.
Now, coming back to his speech last night, he also left the door open to his eventual return, saying in his own words, "I'll be back" -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And just a word about the rebel group and the allegations he made that the United States is backing that rebel group. The United States doesn't much like that group either, does it?
KOINANGE: No, it doesn't at all. In fact, the rebel group has been making new demands every single day and there's been a lot of friction between the main rebel group and the West African peacekeepers, and also the U.S. military advisers. So it's a lot stickier than a lot of people anticipated. That's why the port hasn't opened up. That's why much needed food relief hasn't come in yet. That's going to be one of the sticking points.
But we're expecting some developments later in the day once President Taylor steps down and possibly leaves the country -- Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, if you were a betting man, and I know you don't like to speculate, but is it possible that Charles Taylor will not step down?
KOINANGE: Carol, he has reneged on so many deals in the past, but this time his back is so far against the wall I cannot see how he cannot step down. He cannot afford to, Carol.
He did say at precisely 11:59 he would do that, because according to the Liberian constitution, the new president has to be sworn in by midday. And there are also, there's so many witnesses to this day, that we are there, there's several African presidents present to make sure that the whole ceremony goes according to plan. There's no way he can renege on this one -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Jeff Koinange reporting live from Monrovia 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
Away>
