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Chucky Balks
EFLAs an edgy calm enveloped Liberiaâs battered capital, a new storm brewed over President Charles Taylorâs pledge to leave the country. Atta boy, Chuck. I knew you had it in you. "The latest information we have is that Mr. Taylor appears at the present time unwilling to take up our offer of asylum," Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjoâs spokesperson Felix Stanley Macebuh told a news conference in Abuja. "As a matter of fact, the problem is that Mr. Taylor is simply saying that he will be willing only to leave Liberia if the international court drops the war crimes charges against him," he added. As a matter of fact, no. The court in Sierra Leone has repeatedly said it will not drop charges against Taylor, accused of a key role in a decade long war in Sierra Leone marked by savage atrocities against civilians. Taylor, who has reneged on previous promises to step down, had assured Nigerian officials he would leave Liberia soon after he cedes power, which he promised to do next Monday. And you believed him? Rebels have long feared that Taylor, a wily survivor, would try to get out of his commitments to leave. LURD have said they would be prepared to relinquish their hold on Monroviaâs port so relief aid can flow, but would only withdraw from the city itself once Taylor has left. "If he refuses to abide by the international request to leave Liberia, I will attack him, we will move on him," warned Maj.-Gen. Seyea Sheriff at his rebel headquarters near the port. Lock and load, Sheriff. Posted by: Steve 2003-08-06 |
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