
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 5, 1990                   TAG: 9006050465
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONROVIA, LIBERIA                                LENGTH: Short

REBELS CLOSE IN ON LIBERIAN CAPITAL

The government said today its forces still held the country's main international airport, although diplomats said rebels had seized part of an American-managed rubber plantation on its outskirts.

Fearful residents fled Monrovia and skittish government soldiers abandoned key posts before the rebel advance.

Off the West African nation's coast, a U.S. Navy flotilla carrying 2,000 Marines stood ready to evacuate Americans and other foreigners.

A ministry of information statement broadcast this morning said government forces were still in control of Robertsfield International Airport, 35 miles from the capital of Monrovia. However, the government acknowledged that airlines had halted flights to the airport.

President Samuel Doe remained holed up in his presidential mansion in Monrovia, shielded by about 1,000 Israeli-trained troops.

Doe begged the United States and other friendly countries "to come to the aid of the Liberian people. It is the wishes of the people of this country that America can do something to stop the bloodshed."

In Monrovia, people of the Mandingo and Krahn tribes loyal to Doe - himself a Krahn - piled everything they had into taxis, trucks and buses.

by CNB