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CNN Sunday Morning
Taylor to Step Down Tomorrow
Aired August 10, 2003 - 07:11 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.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back everyone.
Today is supposed to be the last full day in office for Liberian President Charles Taylor, but his legacy is sure to last for years to come. Taylor is expected to address the nation later today and there are warnings of increased violence upon his departure. Joining us on the phone with the very latest from Liberia, Jeff Koinange in Monrovia.
Jeff, what can you tell us?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sean, I can tell you that the mood on the eve of this -- what people area calling a very historic day in the country's history, is one of anticipation and also a sense of uncertainty.
We're actually standing right outside the president's residence and I'll tell you why. Late Saturday rumors were abound that President Taylor had actually left the country. In fact, some foreign television stations, not ours, were announcing this. So, we made our usual calls and we found out that he's here and this morning it has been confirmed that he actually is working on his speech for address to the nation that you mentioned, Sean.
Now, at the same time we ran into the man who would be president, the Vice President Moses Blah, we asked him, How does he feel on the eve of this day?
He said, "I don't really want to be president. I just want to take the baton and run with it for a little while. But I want peace for Liberia. That's what I want."
But remember, the rebels have said they would reject this offer. So, it is going to be a sticky situation for a few days, Sean. They're not quite out of the woods just yet. The peacekeepers haven't gotten access to the port, much needed food relief hasn't come in. And the president is about to step down and after that leave the country. A mood of uncertainty and anticipation at the same time, Sean.
CALLEBS: Jeff, let's talk just a bit about Charles Taylor. He has made many promises that he would leave the country over the past 14 years. He has never done so. And let's talk about this guy. The U.S. portrays him as a thug. He is someone who is facing indictment for war crimes?
KOINANGE: Absolutely, but Sean, the last interview that he's given so far, the latest one, was to CNN a couple of days ago and he seemed like a man resigned to his destiny for lack of a better word. He knows that his back is up against the wall.
He has only one card to play, Sean, and it is not a joker. That card would be we could get him out of the country. He did say he'd like the indictment to be dropped. He says watch this space because he has a surprise up his sleeve. But it is not the kind of surprise everyone is looking for. Probably, the surprise, that he said is, he wants to keep his word. Show the world that he can finally keep his word, step down and leave shortly after.
So, rumors are abounding as to when he's going to leave. And when I asked him the other day he said, "Keep the cameras rolling," in his own words, because it will be sooner than everyone expects, Sean.
CALLEBS: OK, Jeff Koinange, thanks very much. We'll be watching today and waiting for President Taylor's remarks.
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 10, 2003 - 07:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back everyone.
Today is supposed to be the last full day in office for Liberian President Charles Taylor, but his legacy is sure to last for years to come. Taylor is expected to address the nation later today and there are warnings of increased violence upon his departure. Joining us on the phone with the very latest from Liberia, Jeff Koinange in Monrovia.
Jeff, what can you tell us?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sean, I can tell you that the mood on the eve of this -- what people area calling a very historic day in the country's history, is one of anticipation and also a sense of uncertainty.
We're actually standing right outside the president's residence and I'll tell you why. Late Saturday rumors were abound that President Taylor had actually left the country. In fact, some foreign television stations, not ours, were announcing this. So, we made our usual calls and we found out that he's here and this morning it has been confirmed that he actually is working on his speech for address to the nation that you mentioned, Sean.
Now, at the same time we ran into the man who would be president, the Vice President Moses Blah, we asked him, How does he feel on the eve of this day?
He said, "I don't really want to be president. I just want to take the baton and run with it for a little while. But I want peace for Liberia. That's what I want."
But remember, the rebels have said they would reject this offer. So, it is going to be a sticky situation for a few days, Sean. They're not quite out of the woods just yet. The peacekeepers haven't gotten access to the port, much needed food relief hasn't come in. And the president is about to step down and after that leave the country. A mood of uncertainty and anticipation at the same time, Sean.
CALLEBS: Jeff, let's talk just a bit about Charles Taylor. He has made many promises that he would leave the country over the past 14 years. He has never done so. And let's talk about this guy. The U.S. portrays him as a thug. He is someone who is facing indictment for war crimes?
KOINANGE: Absolutely, but Sean, the last interview that he's given so far, the latest one, was to CNN a couple of days ago and he seemed like a man resigned to his destiny for lack of a better word. He knows that his back is up against the wall.
He has only one card to play, Sean, and it is not a joker. That card would be we could get him out of the country. He did say he'd like the indictment to be dropped. He says watch this space because he has a surprise up his sleeve. But it is not the kind of surprise everyone is looking for. Probably, the surprise, that he said is, he wants to keep his word. Show the world that he can finally keep his word, step down and leave shortly after.
So, rumors are abounding as to when he's going to leave. And when I asked him the other day he said, "Keep the cameras rolling," in his own words, because it will be sooner than everyone expects, Sean.
CALLEBS: OK, Jeff Koinange, thanks very much. We'll be watching today and waiting for President Taylor's remarks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
