Joni's Journals

Chapter IV

We hadn't driven out of the airport more than a quarter of a mile before we saw the first of many military checkpoints. Most of them are staffed by ECOMIL, a contingent of military personnel from the West African countries. There are some checkpoints staffed by the former President's military so those are the ones to avoid. Until the UN troops arrive October 1, it's rather dicey to travel in certain parts of the country, even some areas close to town.

The checkpoints consist of stacked sandbags, two deep and five high, topped with coils of barbed wire. They are placed alternately on different sides of the road to form a 'S' shaped pattern, which slows traffic and usually keeps it to one lane at a time.

In a briefing meeting today, one of the senior officials of the United Methodist Church congratulated us on have the courage to come to their country at a time like this. I actually feel pretty safe. Most people are friendly and are not carrying arms publicly. It is pretty clean and relatively odor free. I am amazed, given what I saw on CNN just a month ago.

Today we visited two Internal Displaced Persons (IDP's) camps. The first one is considered temporary and was located at the soccer stadium. People were housed on the concourse and had staked out small areas using rocks, tin cans, etc. Even though it's a temporary camp, school was in session in the stands and pick up soccer games and kick ball were taking place on the field. One group of children used cloth wrapped in a red plastic shopping bag as a ball. While the children will have long lasting psychological problems, they seem to be coping better. At least at the moment. Their parents are the ones who break your heart. They have lived the good life and desperately want it to return.

These people had been driven from their homes or other camps and only had with them the things they could carry. Almost everyone there has lost pretty much everything. Homes are still standing but most were looted, windows broken, items either taken or broken beyond repair. Those who could return home did and are sleeping on their floors because they do not want their homes taken over by IDPs. In addition to private, seemingly abandoned homes, IDPs have taken over government buildings, schools and universities.

The second camp is permanent with single family, single room housing and a well on the premise. These are communities that have sprung up in the middle of nowhere and are supported by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the UN and other relief organizations.

Liberia was created in the early 1800s by former slaves from the United States in the image of the United States. They speak English, the currency is patterned after the dollar, their form of government mirrors ours, and the pledge of allegiance is exactly like ours with the exception of one line, one nation under God. The country has fifteen counties, including Virginia, Maryland and Mississippi. Like the United States, the early settlers trafficked in the slave trade, using the indigenous people as currency for supplies and other items. The elected officials were all Americo Liberians determined to mold Liberia after the States. If they could, they would apply to be the 51st state.

As late as the 1970s, the Americo Liberians used indigenous people as unpaid servants in their homes. Monrovia was a thriving modern city but unrest was growing in numerous areas. In some camps of the Americo Liberians as well as the indigenous people. In last democratically elected president became a dictator in the 1970s. The indigenous people saw this as a chance to overthrow the government and they finally succeeded. The president/dictator was killed and the government was taken over by a 28 year old with an 8th grade education.

President Doe did not want anything to do with the US and began relationships with the Soviet Union and Cuba. President Reagan stepped in with more money to keep President Doe on our side. In the meantime, Doe's military would take pride in terrorizing others tribes. Of course that had to end. In steps Charles Taylor and his clan. They eventually catch up with Doe at the airport and torture him before killing him. That tape is available for sale at the markets and video centers. The US decided not to step in and save Doe. Taylor said he would not be a wicked president but he would not be weak.

Well, it turns out he was the worst of the worst. The country has been at war now for 14 years, off and on. Taylor would not complete any projects started by Doe so there were numerous public projects that were started over or ignored. The treasury was raided and of course, his friends, associates and girl friends were given all the power.

Once he was indicted, the Liberians thought for sure he would leave but Taylor became worse. Finally only after his men attacked innocent people at an IDP and those bodies were dumped in front of the American Embassy did we become involved.

We have 35 troops on the ground in Liberia. Liberians cannot understand why America has not become more involved with their situation. They feel their connection with the States should be considered and we should be there, not in Iraq. Of course, when you speak to government officials, it's a totally different story.

Tomorrow we are going to begin our search for Samuel and Gilbert Cole. I also have pictures if any of you are interested. I don't want to overwhelm anyone's computer but I'll send some upon request.