LIBERIA: REBELS AND GOVERMENT TROOPS VYING FOR CONTROL OF LIBERIA'S SECOND CITY BUCHANAN

Record ID: 648037

  • Title: LIBERIA: REBELS AND GOVERMENT TROOPS VYING FOR CONTROL OF LIBERIA'S SECOND CITY BUCHANAN
  • Date: 9th August 2003
  • Summary: (W1) NEAR BUCHAHAN, LIBERIA (AUGUST 9, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE OF PEOPLE WALKING ALONG ROAD LEADING TO SECOND CITY OF BUCHANAN 0.03 2. SLV YOUNG JUNGLE LION FIGHTERS LOUNGING UP A TREE 0.09 3. SLV YOUNG LIBERIAN FIGHTERS WALKING DOWN DUSTY ROAD 0.20 4. SMV YOUNG CHILD FIGHTER 0.23 5. WIDE OF MEN / YOUTHS WITH GUNS WALKING BY RIVER 0.31 6. SLV LIBERIAN FIGHTER CROUCHED SMOKING 0.39 7. LV VIEW ACROSS RIVER TO BUCHANAN 0.54 8. SLV PEOPLE WALKING ON ROAD BY SIGN READING " WELCOME TO BUCHANAN - OUR BELOVED STANDARD BEARER CHARLES IN CHARGE" (REFERENCE TO CHARLES TAYLOR - PRESIDENT) 1.08 9. SLV PEOPLE CARRYING BAGS ACROSS BRIDGE 1.13 10. SLV YOUNG FIGHTERS AT JUNGLE LIONS CAMP 1.17 11. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) GENERAL SOLO, COMMANDER OF JUNGLE LIONS UNIT, A GOVERNMENT ARMY UNIT SAYING: "There is a ceasefire, we are monitoring the ceasefire, if they do not fire at all, we will not fire, however if they do fire we will fire" 1.30 12. VARIOUS, ARMED FIGHTERS STANDING AROUND (2 SHOTS) 1.38 12. CLOSE UP AMMUNITION Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th August 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BUCHANAN, LIBERIA
  • Country: Liberia
  • Reuters ID: LVA1QWEM8B8WA62LXEA9D54ZDZ1C
  • Story Text: Scores of people are killed in Liberia's second city
    of Buchanan where rebel and government fighters are vying
    for control


    Whilst shooting has died down in the Liberian
    capital Monrovia, fighting has continued unabated in the
    second city of Buchanan in the north.

    The forces loyal to outgoing President Charles Taylor
    have been trying to recapture Buchanan from a faction known
    as Model.

    A nun at the Franciscan Mission in Monrovia, Sister
    Barbara, said she had spoken to personnel in the Buchanan
    catholic mission who told her there was "serious fighting"
    there, not just looting.

    At least 9,000 people have take refuge in the catholic
    mission, she said.

    During a lull in fighting on Saturday (August 9)
    General Solo, commander of the Jungle Lions unit, a
    government army unit, said the government was sticking to a
    ceasefire, but warned if the rebels started firing, his
    troops would fire back.

    "There is a ceasefire, we are monitoring the ceasefire, if
    they do not fire at all, we will not fire, however if they
    do fire we will fire," General Solo told Reuters.

    Taylor has been under intense U.S. pressure to quit a
    country founded by freed American slaves in the 19th
    century. He has accepted an offer of asylum from Nigeria,
    but has yet to say when he will take it up.

    He also wants Sierra Leone's U.N.-backed war crimes
    court to drop charges against him of conniving with brutal
    rebels there.

    Rebels, who mockingly dub Taylor "the president of the
    republic of central Monrovia", suspect he is dragging his
    feet to win time, and maybe another escape.






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