US denies Charles Taylor bounty
Washington denies it has plans to offer a $2m bounty for the capture of
Liberia's exiled former leader, Charles Taylor.
A bill approving an $87bn aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan included a
reward for "an indictee of the Special Court for Sierra Leone".

Nigeria said the offer, assumed for Mr Taylor's detainment, verged on state-
sponsored terrorism.

The US says the money could be "an additional tool" if the need arises.

Nigerian shock

"We strongly oppose any violent or other illegal actions against Nigerian
authorities aimed at obtaining custody of Charles Taylor," US State
Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman said.

"Apprehension of indictees should be conducted by appropriate authorities."


SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT
Established by UN and Sierra Leone
Try those most to blame for war crimes
Mandate till 2005
Local and international prosecutors, judges
Funded by UK, US and others

Mr Taylor went into exile in Nigeria as part of a plan to end Liberia's
civil war.
Ms Pittman said the US had supported the warlord leaving Liberia because it
believed it would save lives.

Many assumed that the Americans would leave the matter there.

Nigeria expressed shock at the reward which it said would encourage lawless
and illegal behaviour.

It said it would resist any attempt to capture Mr Taylor, adding that
Liberia's ex-leader was under the protection of the Nigerian Government.

Mr Taylor's presence on Nigerian soil was the result of a plan agreed by
African nations to resolve the conflict in Liberia, he added.

Entourage

Security has been increased around Mr Taylor's compound in Calabar, in the
far south-east of the country, following reports of the alleged US bounty.

The ex-leader has been there since August when he arrived with around 100
other people, although many have now left. According to a Liberian official
close to Mr Taylor, this is partly for security reasons and partly because
they found life there rather dull.

Mr Taylor was indicted by the war crimes court in Sierra Leone while he was
still Liberia's president.

It is seeking to try him on charges that he armed and trained Sierra
Leone's rebels who waged a campaign of rape and dismemberment during the
country's civil war.

As a former warlord, he was also involved in the bloodshed in his own
country.

Ms Pittman said Washington regarded Nigeria as a good place from which Mr
Taylor could "address the indictment".


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/3266075.stm

Published: 2003/11/13 03:48:27 GMT

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