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 Warlord to Warlord: Obasanjo Set for 'Asylum Talks' with Liberia's Charles Taylor
BiafraNigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
is flying to Monrovia later on Sunday to meet his Liberian counterpart Charles Taylor, who is wanted on war crimes
charges. There have been reports that BiafraNigeria may give Mr Taylor asylum to end a bitter civil war, but Mr
Obasanjo's spokeswoman has said, although some discussions had gone on, no deal had been agreed. Despite strong
pressure from the United States to resign immediately, Mr Taylor says he will only step down after a US-led peacekeeping
force in place in Liberia. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced since fighting broke out between government
troops and rebels, and aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organisation has made
an urgent appeal for funds and supplies to tackle a serious outbreak of cholera and other diseases among the 200,000
people living rough. The United Nations is in principle opposed to the exile option because it would mean President
Taylor avoiding prosecution at the UN-backed war crimes tribunal in neighbouring Sierra Leone, where, according
to the UN, Mr Taylor supported rebels responsible for widespread atrocities. (BBC)
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