While peacekeepers are
currently moving into Solomon Islands to prevent further tragedy, an even worse
tragedy is unfolding on the African continent - Salesian Fr. Harry O'Brien spoke
this morning with the Rome-based International Missionary News Agency
MISNA
MONROVIA,
APPEAL BY VICAR GENERAL: "SEND PEACE CONTINGENT
IMMEDIATELY!"
MONROVIA: 25th July (MISNA) --"The peacekeeping
force must arrive immediately, otherwise there will be a catastrophe. People
need to realise that it is the poor and defenceless who are suffering in
Liberia." This is the desolate appeal made to MISNA by Father Harry O'Brien, a
Salesian, Vicar General of the diocese of Monrovia.
Speaking on a cellular
phone charged with the little electricity available in the besieged capital, the
highest ecclesiastical representative of the Catholic Church in Liberia at the
moment (Archbishop Michael Francis is currently in Great Britain) urges the
international community to intervene: "The peacekeeping contingent was meant to
arrive in June, following the truce between the government forces and the
rebels, but there has been no sign of it." He continues: "Yesterday, the west
African countries said they would send troops to Liberia within a week: it's too
late! They need to understand that here in Monrovia thousands of people are
wandering about the city aimlessly in search of drinking water, food and shelter
from the bombs. Their survival is a matter of days. Only once fighting has
finished will it be possible to help these poor people, who are the real victims
of this tragedy." Father O'Brien says he was forced to abandon the cathedral in
the city centre, not far from Mamba Point, in which quarter the US embassy is
also situated, because of bombardments by the rebels of LURD (Liberians United
for Reconciliation and Democracy), who have laid siege to Monrovia for six days
in an attempt to overthrow President Charles
Taylor.
