Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Event/Special

Shooting Stops in Monrovia

Aired August 06, 2003 - 19:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're following a number of developments overseas right now, first in Liberia. The shooting has stopped in the capital, Monrovia, as Nigerian peacekeepers prepare to launch patrols. U.S. military advisers and a disaster assistance team are also on the ground right now at the U.S. Embassy. Jeff Koinange joins us via video from Monrovia. Jeff, seven U.S. military advisers and a three-person relief team, total of 10 Americans. That's the extent of the U.S. force that arrived today. How did the population react to that?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very well so far, Anderson. Because remember, it's the way they made their entry. Three U.S. Blackhawk helicopters landing one after the other and in the air patrols the skies a C-130 transport plane. And Liberians looking and watching from every possible vantage point. Ten may not be many, Anderson, but it's the imposing number. And remember those three U.S. Naval ships anchored off the coast of Liberia with 2,500 marines and 2,000 sailors? Well, they're about 100 miles out, moving to within 40 miles, an imposing presence, no doubt, Anderson.

COOPER: Any talk of those troops on board, those Marines actually landing or do we know at this point what this ten-man team is going to be doing?

KOINANGE: We know about the ten-man team, Anderson. What they're doing is purely advising on everything from technical to logistics to communications. That's their role. Working with the peacekeepers. Anything they need along those lines, they will help to provide. No talk yet on whether those forces on the boat will be deployed any time soon. But, just to have them overlooking the city and the rebels and both government forces just watching those three ships, you know, across the waters, nobody wants to try anything against that kind of an imposing force, Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Good news there. Jeff Koinange, thanks very much, in Monrovia, Liberia.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired August 6, 2003 - 19:10   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're following a number of developments overseas right now, first in Liberia. The shooting has stopped in the capital, Monrovia, as Nigerian peacekeepers prepare to launch patrols. U.S. military advisers and a disaster assistance team are also on the ground right now at the U.S. Embassy. Jeff Koinange joins us via video from Monrovia. Jeff, seven U.S. military advisers and a three-person relief team, total of 10 Americans. That's the extent of the U.S. force that arrived today. How did the population react to that?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very well so far, Anderson. Because remember, it's the way they made their entry. Three U.S. Blackhawk helicopters landing one after the other and in the air patrols the skies a C-130 transport plane. And Liberians looking and watching from every possible vantage point. Ten may not be many, Anderson, but it's the imposing number. And remember those three U.S. Naval ships anchored off the coast of Liberia with 2,500 marines and 2,000 sailors? Well, they're about 100 miles out, moving to within 40 miles, an imposing presence, no doubt, Anderson.

COOPER: Any talk of those troops on board, those Marines actually landing or do we know at this point what this ten-man team is going to be doing?

KOINANGE: We know about the ten-man team, Anderson. What they're doing is purely advising on everything from technical to logistics to communications. That's their role. Working with the peacekeepers. Anything they need along those lines, they will help to provide. No talk yet on whether those forces on the boat will be deployed any time soon. But, just to have them overlooking the city and the rebels and both government forces just watching those three ships, you know, across the waters, nobody wants to try anything against that kind of an imposing force, Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Good news there. Jeff Koinange, thanks very much, in Monrovia, Liberia.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com