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CNN Live At Daybreak
In Liberia, Rebel Leaders Finally Agree on Role in Transition
Aired August 18, 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Talks aimed at building a new Liberian government have been contentious at times, but rebel leaders have finally agreed on their role in the transition.
With more on the next step, we turn to CNN's Gaven Morris in Monrovia, who joins us on the phone -- hello to you, Gaven.
GAVEN MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
Yes, the last stumbling block seemingly to get a transitional government in place here in Liberia has been taken away with the LURD rebels withdrawing their demand for the vice chairmanship of the new interim government that is due to come in in October and govern Liberia for two years, until free elections can be held.
Now, the LURD rebels were holding everything up. The deal was already meant to be signed and all the parties were in place on Friday. But they added this condition. They have now withdrawn it again, which means that hopefully now we're going to see a signing of this document, which really can see this transitional government take place in October. And hopefully that means peace will be maintained.
On the ground here in Monrovia, we are at the port at the moment waiting for a new shipment of aid. Food is still desperately required and we're hoping that in the next couple of days some big food ships will arrive and that will be, start to be distributed across Monrovia and the rest of Liberia -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Well, Gaven, why is it expected that government and rebel leaders could actually work together?
MORRIS: Well, they basically see that they have to. If this country is ever going to be stable, if they're ever going to have a share in the government in the country, then at some point they have to put down the gun and get along. And that is what this deal is hoped, that by having a two year situation whereby none of those rebel groups and not the main government, either, share in the power, that basically civilians and political parties rule the country, that within those two years that a stability and peace can be maintained and then a free election can be had for everybody to run in it -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Gaven Morris in Liberia, thanks very much.
And for more on Liberia and its history, be sure to log onto cnn.com. Our AOL keyword is 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
Transition>
Aired August 18, 2003 - 05:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Talks aimed at building a new Liberian government have been contentious at times, but rebel leaders have finally agreed on their role in the transition.
With more on the next step, we turn to CNN's Gaven Morris in Monrovia, who joins us on the phone -- hello to you, Gaven.
GAVEN MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
Yes, the last stumbling block seemingly to get a transitional government in place here in Liberia has been taken away with the LURD rebels withdrawing their demand for the vice chairmanship of the new interim government that is due to come in in October and govern Liberia for two years, until free elections can be held.
Now, the LURD rebels were holding everything up. The deal was already meant to be signed and all the parties were in place on Friday. But they added this condition. They have now withdrawn it again, which means that hopefully now we're going to see a signing of this document, which really can see this transitional government take place in October. And hopefully that means peace will be maintained.
On the ground here in Monrovia, we are at the port at the moment waiting for a new shipment of aid. Food is still desperately required and we're hoping that in the next couple of days some big food ships will arrive and that will be, start to be distributed across Monrovia and the rest of Liberia -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Well, Gaven, why is it expected that government and rebel leaders could actually work together?
MORRIS: Well, they basically see that they have to. If this country is ever going to be stable, if they're ever going to have a share in the government in the country, then at some point they have to put down the gun and get along. And that is what this deal is hoped, that by having a two year situation whereby none of those rebel groups and not the main government, either, share in the power, that basically civilians and political parties rule the country, that within those two years that a stability and peace can be maintained and then a free election can be had for everybody to run in it -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Gaven Morris in Liberia, thanks very much.
And for more on Liberia and its history, be sure to log onto cnn.com. Our AOL keyword is 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
Transition>
