HAMPTON ROADS AND LIBERIA OPEN ARMS FOR A WARLORD LIBERIAN PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR HAS A BLOODY PAST AND A POOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. BUT THE LEADER OF VIRGINIA BEACH'S ROCK CHURCH, WITH THE HELP OF A NORFOLK CITY COUNCILMAN, IS TRYING TO ARRANGE FOR TAYLOR AND HIS WIFE TO TOUR THE REGION. THAT WOULD SEND A TERRIBLE MESSAGE, SOME EXPERTS SAY.(FRONT)

From: The Virginian Pilot | Date: July 30, 2000| Author: Szabo, Liz | Copyright information

Liberian warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor, who came to power after winning a devastating seven-year civil war, has long been accused of hacking his way to the top.

Now, U.S. State Department officials say they have evidence that Taylor is bankrolling the rebels waging war in Sierra Leone - the same rebels who have raped, murdered and mutilated tens of thousands of civilians, who have gouged out eyes and sliced open the bellies of pregnant women.

So why...

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