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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (21009)	6/25/2003 2:59:42 PM
From: T L Comiskey	Respond to of 89467

Shells Explode in U.S. Embassy in Liberia By JONATHAN PAYE-LAYLEH, Associated Press Writer MONROVIA, Liberia - Explosives landed in a U.S. diplomatic complex in Liberia's besieged capital Wednesday, causing injuries among thousands of people seeking refuge from a civil war engulfing Monrovia, a U.S. official said. There was no immediate report of any injuries to Americans. AP Photo AFP Slideshow: Liberia A U.S. Embassy official said authorities had no details on the numbers of casualties. The embassy is across the street from the high-walled residential complex where the explosives landed. An Associated Press reporter and photographer at the scene felt the ground shake from two explosions. Survivors ran past with wounded civilians — wheeling one bleeding young man out in a wheelbarrow and using a ragged shirt as a stretcher for another victim. The U.S. Embassy and sprawling residential complex nearby are on a rocky hillside overlooking the Atlantic coast. The European Union (news - web sites) compound is next to the U.S. Embassy. Earlier Wednesday, U.S. authorities admitted tens of thousands of refugees into the residential compound as rebels attacked the city with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and small arms, among other weapons. It marked the first time since 1996, during the height of Liberia's 1989-1996 civil war, that authorities opened the compound as a refuge for Monrovia's people. Witnesses said four people were trampled to death in the stampede to get inside the U.S. compound gates. The blasts then sent terrified throngs fleeing in the opposite direction. The U.S. Embassy has remained staffed after a voluntary evacuation by French military helicopter and warship took 530 civilians, mostly foreigners, out of the encircled capital earlier this month. U.S. Embassy officials said then they had "enhanced" security at the U.S. compounds, which already were guarded by Marines and other military and private forces. The fighting shattered a week-old truce and raised prospects of the deadliest possible end to Liberia's 3-year-old insurgency: an all-out battle by undisciplined armies for the city of 1 million. Just before Wednesday's explosions, the U.S. Embassy issued a statement condemning "rebels' serious violation of the cease-fire, which has caused unwarranted terror and misery for tens of thousands of innocent Liberians." "Rebel groups must realize that if they are to have any international credibility or recognition ... they must abide by international agreements and respect basic human rights," the unsigned statement said.