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| Africa: West |
| Monrovians beg rebels to stay |
| 2003-07-30 |
| At least 1500 Liberians held a peace rally Wednesday in Monrovia to urge rebels occupying parts of the city not to retreat until international peacekeepers arrived. They confirmed by telephone that the rally was held in the rebel-controlled Bushrod Island in the north of the Liberian capital, with estimates of the crowd ranging from 1500 to 4500. Raymond Zarbay, a journalist living in the area, said the marchers waved banners saying "We want peace," "We are tired of this senseless war," and "Uncle Sam must come at once." They then marched on the local head office of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) rebel movement, pleading them to stay on as they feared retribution by government forces. Sekou Fofana, Lurd deputy general secretary of civil administration [said residents] handed Lurd a memorandum saying they feared a genocide if the rebels "left them to the mercy of President Charles Taylor’s forces". The residents said "the last two times we retreated, Taylor’s renegade soldiers went on a violence spree, looting, raping and killing. They want us to stay until peacekeepers arrive to prevent a genocide," Fofana said, adding: "We will remain in order to protect them." It would be nice if they could finish it themselves. Zarbay said the show of support for Lurd was not under duress. "Some banners are saying that the deaths outside Monrovia attributed to the Lurd by the government are lies." That wouldn’t suprise anyone, although I’m sure Lurd has it’s share of killings. Lurd’s Fofana, meanwhile, said his forces would keep up an offensive on two strategic bridges linking northern Monrovia to the government-controlled heart of the city and eastern districts. "We will not leave the bridges. We know Charles Taylor’s men. The civilians on our side will be massacred if we leave before foreign peacekeepers come," Fofana said. Especially now after they’ve begged Lurd to protect them. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 wanna wanna Fofana... |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-7-30 5:11:39 PM |
| #1 You know that you're desperate if you're begging a bunch of elevn year old boys in sun dresses to protect you. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2003-7-30 2:33:10 PM |