Military

DATE=8/6/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CQ LIBERIA / CONFLICT (L)

NUMBER=2-306240

BYLINE=SARAH SIMPSON

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

//EDS: REISSUED TO CORRECT DATELINE AND INITIALS. SUITABLE AS OVERNIGHTER.///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The commanding officer of the Nigerian led peacekeeping force in Liberia says his troops will deploy to various government held parts of the capital, Monrovia, early Thursday. Meanwhile, a small group of U-S military personnel has landed in Monrovia to provide logistical and humanitarian support for the peacekeepers. Sarah Simpson reports from the V-O-A west Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: Nigerian Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo has confirmed to V-O-A that the 500 mostly Nigerian peacekeeping troops in Liberia will begin patrolling government-held parts of the capital, Monrovia, at eight-thirty (A.M.) local time. The troops can expect a hero's welcome in Monrovia, where residents are overjoyed at the prospect of peace.

Three Black Hawk helicopters landed at the U-S Embassy in Monrovia on Wednesday, carrying at least three members of a disaster assistance relief team and an unknown number of other military personnel. It is not clear if the military personnel are U-S Marines attached to a task force of about 23-hundred Marines aboard U-S ships off the Liberian coast.

The U-S liaison team is expected to work closely with the peacekeepers and give them logistical support, but, despite repeated calls by Liberians to intervene, Washington says U-S troops would not take the lead in any large-scale peacekeeping mission in the war torn country.

In a phone call from a rebel-held area, Liberian journalist Winston Monboe told V-O-A that civilians want the rebels to stay after the peacekeepers are deployed because they are frightened of possible reprisal attacks from President Taylor's government troops.

/// MONBOE ACT///

They're telling us that they're more comfortable with the rebels than even the government troops. It's quite unbelievable!

///END ACT////

Mr. Monboe also explained the food situation in the rebel zone is far better than in the government controlled parts of Monrovia. He reports the rebels have allowed food to reach the people from the seaport they control.

/// MONBOE ACT TWO ///

The living conditions are relatively improved. People have food here to eat. They go out, moving around. And it's quite unbelievable that you will see the kind of lives going on here.

///END ACT////

Mr. Monboe, who spoke with the rebels Wednesday, said they would welcome the deployment of the peacekeepers, as long as President Charles Taylor leaves the country. (Signed)

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