INTRO: A FIVE-SHIP U-S NAVY TASK FORCE IS DUE TO ARRIVE OFF THE COAST OF LIBERIA SHORTLY TO HELP SECURE THE U-S EMBASSY COMPOUND IN WAR-RAVAGED MONROVIA. SEVERAL HUNDRED U-S MARINES MAY GO ASHORE TO PROTECT U-S FACILITIES. VOA’S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE NAVAL TASK FORCE HEADED BY THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP U-S-S GUAM WILL ARRIVE OFF THE LIBERIAN COAST LATE FRIDAY OR EARLY SATURDAY — CARRYING HELICOPTERS AND ABOUT 18 HUNDRED U-S MARINES.

THE MARINES WILL RELIEVE SPECIAL FORCES AND HELICOPTER UNITS FLOWN TO THE REGION TO CONDUCT EVACUATIONS AND GUARD THE SEA-SIDE U-S EMBASSY COMPOUND AFTER THE FLARE-UP IN LIBERIA’S CIVIL WAR BEGAN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

AIR FORCE GENERAL HOWELL ESTES, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, SAYS SEVERAL HUNDRED MARINES WILL GO ASHORE TO PROTECT ABOUT 20 U-S DIPLOMATS CONTINUING TO OPERATE THERE.

///ESTES ACT///

WE’VE GOT THE SAME MISSION NOW. THAT’S TO PROTECT THE EMBASSY — REALLY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE IN THE EMBASSY. THE EMBASSY’S NOT WHAT’S IMPORTANT. IT’S THE PEOPLE IN IT. SO THAT TAKES X-NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THAT’S WHAT WE’LL PUT ASHORE. NO MORE. NO LESS.

///END ACT///

THE TASK FORCE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO EVACUATE THE REMAINING U-S PERSONNEL IF NECESSARY AND TO CONDUCT HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS. U-S HELICOPTERS HAVE FLOWN MORE THAN 21-HUNDRED PEOPLE OUT OF MONROVIA SINCE LAST WEEK INCLUDING 435 AMERICANS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/PK

18-Apr-96 5:20 PM EDT (2120 UTC) NNNN

Source: Voice of America .