Days of Hope, Days of Fear

摘要

This is a hopeful time and an awful time for Liberians. The despised regime of dictator Charles Taylor is in its final days. Once the first contingent of West African peacekeepers arrives in the capital, Monrovia, he's supposed to go into exile. Then the American troops come in. It's choreographed like a ballet, but it didn't look like one last week. Hundreds of freed political prisoners spilled onto the streets, some loudly praising Jesus for helping them survive up to two years on a daily handful of rice. At the same time, a rebel force moved viciously on Monrovia, clashing with Taylor's troops on the way. Once again, U.S. planners had to tear up the endgame timetable. The peacekeepers―once scheduled to arrive last week and then rescheduled to arrive this week-are now due next week. Maybe.