Liberian forces search for alleged plotters

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 10

Liberian forces search for alleged plotters

NZPA-Reuter Monrovia :i J I ■ ’ri - Liberia’s security! forces set; -out yesterday to frack down a group accused of plotting against trie Government. A statement from I the Information Ministry i said that on March :16| the Government had foiled a conspiracy to topple [and kill! President Samuel Doe and had the; situation under control, | |i ' Twelve people were arrested. Seven are;'still at large, being hunted by the Army and police. I A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and uniforms were seized at a house in Monrovia, the

capital. ' ! ! I The statement said the 19 suspects included three leaders 'of the small Lij beria Unification Party (L.U.P.)j a 1 banned opposition movement, and at least two i Army captains and four other soldiers. I The I L.U.P. | leaden, Gabriel I i Kpolleh, a schoolteachef from the Kpelleh tribe of central Liberia,! is listed among the people involved in the March 161 events. I Last ; week’s reported plot is! the latest in a series of' abortive attempts to I remove President Doe/a former army sergeant ; who rose to power eight years ago in

Africa’s oldest republic. An assassination attempt against President Doe in ApriL 1985, led to the execution of the deputy commander of the Presidential guard. I li’ I j■ i I l! President Doe alienated most Liberian i civilian politicians by staging General Elections,i described by the! I Opposition as fraudulent, in October, 1 1985.; ; ; Barely a month later he ! survived a coup staged by a former army commander, I Brigadier-General Thomas, Quiwonkpa, who ! died after troops loyal to : President' Doe put down ! the rebellion. i