Military

DATE=8/4/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LIBERIA / PEACEKEEPERS ALT. (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-306165

BYLINE=ALISHA RYU

DATELINE=MONROVIA

CONTENT=

///EDS: ACTS ARE OF MARGINAL QUALITY///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The first contingent of Nigerian peacekeepers arrived near the embattled city of Monrovia, Liberia on Monday, boosting hopes for an end to weeks of bitter fighting. V-O-A Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from the Liberian capital.

TEXT: Military helicopters carrying Nigerian peacekeepers took off Monday morning from neighboring Sierra Leone.

/// SOUND OF HELICOPTER - EST & FADE ///

Several hours later, the helicopters landed during a torrential rainstorm at Monrovia's Roberts International Airport, where hundreds of journalists and Liberian airport staff members had been anxiously waiting for the peacekeepers' arrival.

The U-S Ambassador to Liberia, John Blaney, was also on hand to welcome the peacekeepers. He smiled as he watched the troops fan out.

/// BLANEY ACT ///

It's very significant in the sense that it's a very positive step forward in terms of restabilizing Liberia and also improving the security environment if necessary to address the humanitarian crisis that is now on-going in Liberia.

/// END ACT ///

About 15-hundred Nigerian soldiers are expected in Liberia in the next few days to lead a six-nation, three thousand-strong West African peacekeeping force called the Economic Community Mission in Liberia, or ECOMIL.

A delegation of Nigerian military officers quickly left the airport to pay a courtesy call on Liberian President Charles Taylor. On Saturday, Mr. Taylor promised to resign August 11th after the arrival of peacekeepers.

As the delegation passed through the airport, some Liberians began dancing with joy. One woman, Sophie Gray, says she believes the mere presence of well-armed peacekeeping troops in the streets of Monrovia will convince the rebels and forces loyal to Mr. Taylor to lay down their guns.

/// GRAY ACT ///

It means that peace is coming and we're happy for peace to come.

/// END ACT ///

But even as Liberians were celebrating, fighting continued in some parts of Monrovia. Government forces shelled rebel positions throughout the day and small arms fire could be heard periodically near the port.

Despite the arrival of peacekeepers, real peace in this besieged city still appears a long way off. (Signed)

NEB/AR/MAR/MEM