Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 2, 1990 TAG: 9006020048
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONROVIA, LIBERIA LENGTH: Medium
A U.S.-based spokesman for the rebels said they had dropped their demand that Doe surrender and stand trial for alleged corruption and atrocities. The spokesman, Tom Woewiyu, said that if Doe left Liberia, the insurgents would be willing to work with the existing regime to set up an interim government.
He said his comments were approved by Charles Taylor, leader of the rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia that was marching toward Monrovia.
Doe, threatened by rebels from two fronts, told reporters Friday: "I wish to announce here today my firm decision not to stand for the 1991 general elections."
The 6-month-old incursion had reached within 35 miles of the capital, Monrovia. More than 1,000 people have been killed in the fighting, most of them civilians slain by government troops.
The U.S. Navy stationed ships off the coast to evacuate Americans if necessary.
Rebel troops control the country's main port of Buchanan, 95 miles southeast of the capital, and were advancing on two fronts within 35 miles of Monrovia.
At his news conference, Doe asked for help from other nations.
"Accordingly, I hereby appeal to our traditional friends, the United States government and other friendly counties, to bring to an end this 6-month-old, Libyan-backed incursion in order to pave the way for a peaceful, free and fair election in 1991," he said.
Taylor has denied that Libya is supporting his revolt.
Doe, 40, seized power in a bloody 1979 coup that ousted elitist descendants of American slaves. The descendants of U.S. slaves founded Liberia in 1847.
Taylor, who went to college in Massachusetts, served as head of Liberia's government purchasing agency but fled in 1983 to escape charges of embezzling $1 million. He was arrested in the United States but escaped before he could be sent back to Liberia.
The 42-year-old rebel denies guilt and says all charges will be dropped if he overthrows Doe.
He invaded from the Ivory Coast on Dec. 24 with about 200 backers. However, his army has mushroomed, in part because of the government attacks on civilians seen as potential supporters.
by CNB