Riot 'was part of coup bid’

Press, 18 April 1979, Page 8

Riot 'was part of coup bid’

NZPA-Reuter Monrovia; (Liberia) I The Liberian President (Mr William Tolbert) has said; that the week-end rioting i which left 29 dead was part of an attempt to overthrow; the Government. Summoning journalists to a Cabinet meeting to assure them that everything was now under control, the president gave the first casualty figures for the demonstrations and rioting and looting on Saturday. He said that; there were 409 casualties, in-] eluding 29 killed, one a policeman: The demonstrations were designed by “wicked and evil men to bring chaos and disorder in the country with the eventual objective of overthrowing the Gover iment. I have information to back it,” President Tolbert said. He added that there was evidence that foreign elements were behind these instigators.

The trouble . began when large groups marched on the State house on Saturday to protest against a Minister’s suggestion that rice prices be raised. Tanks were called out and the police fired on the demonstrators, who threw stones.

During the night virtually every big store in the capital was looted and ransacked. On Monday business remained at a standstill, with only a few Government offices open, as the clean-up continued. President Tolbert accused leaders of the Progressive Alliance of Liberia of trying to stir people against the Government. He said the leaders were all in hiding.