LIBERIA: APPARENT COUP

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005638510
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: July 21, 2011
• Case Number: F-2009-01701
• Publication Date: April 12, 1980

APPROVED FOR RELEASE^
DATE: 07-18-2011
(b) (1)
(b) (3)
 Warning Notice Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
National Security Unauthorized Disclosure
Intormatioq Subject to Criminal Sanctions
 President Tolbert may have been killed last night
in an apparently successful coup mounted by junior ele-
ments of his presidential guard led by a Sergeant Samuel
Forces loyal to Tolbert for the most art a ear
to be in disarray.
Doe--apparently a tribal Liberian--
has not clarified whether he intends to form a military
government or hand over power to civilian opponents of
Tolbert. He has announced, however, that he will sta
in charge "until corruption is eliminated."
Several political prisoners reportedly have been
released, including Gabriel Mathews, leader of the
moderately leftist Progressive People's Party, who was
arrested last month on charges of treason. He helped
precipitate rice riots last April which nearly brought
down the Tolbert regime.
Top military commanders and old guard politicians,
such as Minister of Justice Chesson, who control police
and paramilitary elements, reportedly are in hiding.
Liberian-US relations traditionally have been
characterized by a "special relationship." We have no
reports that US citizens or important US civil and mili-
tary communications facilities in Liberia have been at-
tacked. If leftist civilian opposition elements come
to power or gain influential positions, however, Liberia
may well end its. close relationship with the US or at
the least impose a monetary price tag on US facilities
12 April 1980