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Liberians rampage after gun offer

A fighter loyal to Charles Taylor tries to surrender arms to U.N. soldiers.
A fighter loyal to Charles Taylor tries to surrender arms to U.N. soldiers.

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MONROVIA, Liberia (Reuters ) -- Liberian government militia fighters smashed and hijacked cars in the capital Monrovia, despite pledges by U.N. peacekeepers to give them cash for their guns.

Dozens of fighters on Tuesday roamed the streets near the residence of now-exiled former President Charles Taylor and the eastern suburb of Paynesville, breaking car windscreens with Kalashnikov rifles and forcing passing vehicles to turn back.

Disgruntled government fighters have rioted over the past two days after finding out that the $300 they have been promised in return for their guns as part of a disarmament programme would not be paid immediately.

On Tuesday, the U.N. said fighters would be given $75 on handing their weapons to peacekeepers. The U.N. made the announcement in a statement after a meeting with government officials and military commanders to restore calm.

The United Nations launched the disarmament scheme on Sunday to cement an August peace deal designed to draw a line under 14 years of civil war which spawned a generation of fighters used to grabbing what they want and left some 250,000 people dead.

After hearing on state radio that money would be paid, hundreds of fighters rushed to Camp Schieffelin, a disarmament centre outside Monrovia on the road to the airport.

Some commandeered U.N. vehicles including a 12-seater bus, to speed to the camp. Some fighters, including dozens of child soldiers, trudged to Schieffelin on foot.

"This Christmas season will be good for us," said Black Marine, a young boy in a black T-shirt carrying a Kalashnikov.

'Certain mistakes'

Disarming some 40,000 fighters, many of whom are drugged-up young men inured to murder, rape and pillage, and reintegrating them into society is regarded as crucial to ending a war that has ruined Liberia and caused chaos across the region.

"If I do not get a car to take me to the camp, I have my God-made legs. My legs will take me there and back," said a fighter who called himself Sergeant One Man One.

Fighters were originally promised $300 and vocational training under the scheme but were only due to receive the first $150 at the end of a three-week demobilisation programme.

Combatants have also complained that there was not enough food for them at Camp Schieffelin.

In its statement, the U.N. said that from now on a maximum 400 fighters would be disarmed each day at the camp.

"There were certain mistakes in the process...but we have decided to put this behind us," Daniel Chea, Taylor's former defence minister, said after the meeting with U.N. officials.

"Everything is not about money. The general welfare of the combatants is what matters. We will ensure that the fighters report to Schieffelin and receive what is allotted for them."

Taylor's departure into exile paved the way for a peace deal between his government and rebels holding most of the country.

A U.N. official estimated over 1,500 government fighters had already disarmed. Rebels are due to assemble in camps by year-end, but some rebel officials have cast doubt on this.

The U.N. force charged with disarmament will have 15,000 troops at full strength. So far 4,500 have arrived -- too few, says the force commander, to disarm thousands of wild fighters.



Copyright 2003 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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