MONROVIA, Liberia - Mortar rounds thudded into the U.S. Embassy compound, homes and a school crowded with refugees in the bloodiest attack on Liberia's besieged capital in days, killing at least 12 Liberian men, women and children. The onslaught, which wounded more than 100 others, brought despairing new pleas from Monrovia's trapped people for a multinational peace force — promised for weeks, but still lacking any firm deployment date.
Patience, patience. The paperwork's being filled out even as we speak blog... |
``I want to tell George Bush to do something hurriedly, very fast and quickly,'' cried Emmanuel Sieh, 28, among the frantic crowds that spilled into the streets in front of the U.S. Embassy in this American-founded West African nation after the worst of the daybreak attack. ``People are dying every day,'' Sieh said.
| Might we suggest you stop killing each other? That'd probably put a stop to it... |
Government forces and rebels blamed each other for the bombardment, which sent 15 to 20 shells crashing into the densely populated neighborhood around the embassy within 10 minutes.
"They dunnit!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!" |
Refugees have packed into the neighborhood by the thousands, hoping for some safety through proximity to the heavily guarded embassy as rebels press home their three-year war to oust President Charles Taylor. Taylor, blamed for 14 years of near perpetual conflict in Liberia, has retreated to downtown, his forces battling to block insurgents from crossing bridges into the district.
| A good sign. I was sure they'd have him hanging by the heels by Wednesday, but I guess LURD had to stop by their dressmaker... |
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