US ambs'dor and Nigerian troops chief meet rebel leaders across bridge

(5 Aug 2003)
1. People crossing Gabriel Tucker bridge
2. Wide of the US ambassador convoy crossing the bridge, going to LURD (Liberian United for Reconstruction and Democracy) rebel side
3. Motorcade approaching Old Bridge, in foreground rebel waves white cloth as convoy approaches
4. Various of motorcade crossing bridge
5. UPSOUND: (English) Women cheering "No more war. We want peace."
6. Convoy passing corpses
7. Motorcade passes
8. Close up car in Vie town
9. Wide of rebels guarding building
10. Wide of American flag
11. US Ambassador John Blaney shaking hands with rebel leader and introducing Nigerian commander to rebel leader
12. SOUNDBITE (English) John Blaney, US Ambassador:
"Well I think it should be a turning point in the conflict, in fact that is why I am here, is to try to talk peace and to make sure that the cease fire is respected by all parties as signed."
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Abdulla Seyeah Sheriff, Rebel leader:
"We cannot not leave the port area by his request (Charles Taylor). He has to leave Liberia totally. Resign and leave Liberia. Once he leaves the country we will leave the port area for the international peacekeeping force. He has to leave the continent."
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Festus Okwonkwo, West African Peacekeeping Force Commander:
"I have been waiting for this opportunity and it has come my way today. And I think this is a good way forward.
Question: Do you think peace is finally coming to Liberia sir?
Okwonkwo: I believe so."
15. Ghanean peacekeeper holding hands with rebel fighter
16. Various of Ghanean peacekeepers with rebel soldiers

STORYLINE:

Talks between the rebels, the US ambassador, the leader of the peacekeeping operation and the Liberian minister of Defence have sparked hopes of a sustained cease fire in the Liberian capital on Tuesday.

Just one day after the arrival of the African peacekeeping forces to Monrovia, a US led convoy crossed Gabriel Tucker bridge in central Monrovia, one of the most fierce battle spots in the capital.

Among the cheering of the crowd that chanted "Peace" and the corpses that had been laying for days in the streets, US ambassador John Blaney and Nigerian Peacekeeping commander Festus Okwonkwo met rebel leader Abdulla Seyeah Sheriff.

The US ambassador called the meeting a "turning point" in the fight. The Nigerian commander said he believed peace is now possible.

But the rebel leader Abdulla Seyeah Sheriff pointed out that Liberian president Charles Taylor has "to resign and leave the country" before rebel forces will return Monrovia's port to the international peacekeeping force.

The meeting might pave way for aid agencies start to operate in a shattered country.

International aid agencies sped massive aid shipments to Monrovia, bloodied by two months of rebel sieges that have killed well over one thousand trapped civilians and cut off the capital from food, clean water and all but the barest medical care.

As pallets with tons of relief piled up at Liberia's main airport, white UN helicopters shuttled in and out,
dropping off 20 Nigerian troops at a time for a promised 3,250-strong West African deployment, that was launched on Monday.

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