MIDDLE EAST BRIEF xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx FOR 2 AUGUST 1990.

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005302072
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 23, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2009
• Case Number: F-2007-00156
• Publication Date: August 21, 1990

APPROVED FOR RELEASED DATE: 09-02-2009 _t+CaCCT EtiRt1- IMMEDIATE PAGE 001 TOT: 0208582 AUG 90 OIR/DB OUTGOING FRP: , (b)(1) (b)(3) hi c S S A G E T SECRE 1 -  FIGHTING HEATED UP YESTERDAY AS GOVERNMENT TROOPS PUSHED BACK PRINCE JOHNSON'S FORCES IN MONROVIA AS ELEMENTS LOYAL TO CHARLES THE ARMY CONTINUED ITS COUNTERATTACK AGAINST JOHNSON'S INSURGENT TROOPS, PUSHING THEM OUT OF DOWNTOWN MONROVIA. THE REBELS STILL HAVE A FOOTHOLD ALONG THE CITY'S NORTHERN RIM AND CONTROL THE OF PEOPLE FLED THE CENTERS SEEKING SAFETL LINE S. SOLDIERS THREATENED THOSE SEEKING REFUGE A SPOKESMAN FOR TAYLOR'S REBELS TOLD REPORTERS THE US MUST HAVE BROUGHT JOHNSON INTO DOWNTOWN MONROVIA VIA HELICOPTER OR SOME OTHER ROUTE US PERSONNEL HAD WORKED OUT. HE SPECULATED THAT THE US, PRESIDENT DOE. AND JOHNSON MAY SOON ARRIVE AT A DEAL TO REPLACE DOE COMMENT: JOHNSON'S FORCES ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING THE OFFENSIVE IN DOWNTOWN MONROVIA. TAYLOR APPEARS TO BE CONTENT TO LET THE ARMY AND JOHNSON'S TROOPS WEAR EACH OTHER DOWN WHILE HIS MEN SLOWLY TIGHTEN THE NOOSE AROUND THE CAPITAL. HIS VICTORY AGAINST THE ARMY AT TUBMANBURG REMOVES THE POSSiBILITY OF BEING ATTACKED FROM THE REAR. TAYLOR'S FORCES ARE NOW FREE TO DEAL WITH JOHNSON, FORCING THE BREAKAWAY REBEL LEADER TO WAGE A TWO-FRONT WAR. TAYLOR IS LIKELY TO TRY TO D AT JOHNSON BEFORE MOVING ON THE EXECUTIVE MANSION. US CITIZENS ARE AT GREATER RISK AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS--AND NOW TAYLOR'S REBELS--INCREASINGLY DOUBT US CLAIMS OF NEUTRALITY. FIGHTING IN THE VICINITY OF THE EMBASSY COMPOUND IS LIKELY TO ESCALATE AS BOTH SIDES BATTLE FOR CONTROL THERE. SOLDIERS ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL GROW EVEN LESS RETICENT ABOUT DAMAGING US FACILITIES 0 u T G 0 I N G 0 U T G 0 N G At E S S A G E