Jeff Koinange: Liberians greet peacekeepers
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CNN's Jeff Koinange
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Liberian President Charles Taylor says he will step down on August 11.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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| LIBERIA PEACEKEEPERS |
A 12-member fact-finding team is in Liberia.
Three U.S. ships carrying nearly 2,000 Marines have moved into position off the Liberian coast.
A 750-strong Economic Community of West African States team from Nigeria began arriving Monday.
Another Nigerian battalion will bring numbers to 1,500.
A 5,000-strong West African force will be deployed, made up mostly of 3,250 peacekeepers from Ghana, Mali, Benin, Senegal and Togo by October 1.
The United Nations will provide logistical support.
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MONROVIA, Liberia (CNN) -- The first wave of West African peacekeepers arrived Monday in war-torn Liberia to try to end clashes between government and rebel forces.
CNN Correspondent Jeff Koinange was at the airport near Liberia's capital, Monrovia, where he spoke Monday to Anchor Carol Costello about the anticipated mission.
KOINANGE: The second U.N. helicopter has just dropped off the second contingent [of peacekeepers, who are] running on the tarmac with their rifles ready, securing the airport perimeter.
In fact, one of the peacekeepers is standing about 10 feet from where I am, and all they're doing is securing the airport right now. The first helicopter left to pick up more, and they are going to be coming in throughout the day. They are on the ground, and the mission has formally begun.
COSTELLO: This is just the first wave of troops to arrive, right?
KOINANGE: That is correct. They are expecting about 300 by the end of the day. Three hundred may seem like a small number, but just imagine there have been no peacekeepers here on the ground for the past seven years.
This is what the Liberians have been waiting for -- just a presence, any presence, anyone other than rebel forces or government troops will make a lot of difference psychologically.
That's how the people feel. In fact, there are about 200 people here at the airport in the falling rain. They are cheering; they are waving their hands; they are welcoming these peacekeepers. This is what they have been waiting for all along.
COSTELLO: U.S. troops aren't far away, but they are not getting involved just yet, are they?
KOINANGE: No, not yet. Helicopters are going to leave and bring more troops throughout the day and vehicles as well. Remember, there are no vehicles here at all to speak of.
They are going to get all their equipment, get on it and then roll toward Monrovia sometime later [Monday] and in the coming days try to secure the capital.
We are also hearing that both sides -- the government and the rebels -- have said they will cease firing altogether once the peacekeepers are on the ground. Well, they are on the ground now, and we will see if those guns will be silenced soon.
