Rebel Chief in Liberian Coup Attempt Slain

Supporters of President Samuel K. Doe today put on grisly display the body of abortive coup leader Gen. Thomas Quiwonkpa, who was captured and killed hours earlier by government soldiers, an official said.

Doe publicly announced the slaying of the rebel chief and said anyone spotted on the streets after a 6 p.m. curfew would be considered a rebel and be executed.

Quiwonkpa was captured early today by three soldiers in a house outside Monrovia, the U.S.-backed president said in a radio and television broadcast.

Soon afterward the rebel general’s body was put on public display at the military barracks in the Liberian capital.

Quiwonkpa led the attempted coup Tuesday by riding a tank to the president’s executive mansion. The rebels immediately captured local radio stations and claimed their coup was successful, but they were later defeated in battles with loyalist troops. At least 15 soldiers were killed, officials said.

In his radio address today, Doe said Quiwonkpa was captured near the state radio station, about 10 miles outside the capital.

Doe, who came to power during a bloody 1980 coup, issued a “shoot to kill” order for anyone found violating the curfew.

“The situation in this country is very tense. . . . I repeat, if you are caught one minute after 6 o’clock you will be executed,” Doe said.

Foreign diplomats breaking the curfew will “face the full force of the law,” he said.

Doe also warned residents against harboring any rebels and said tight security will remain in force while they are being tracked down.

But he also had a reassuring message for the foreign community, which includes about 3,500 Americans.

“We want to assure our foreign investors and members of the diplomatic corps that their lives, their property, will be fully protected,” Doe said.

Life in Monrovia was rapidly returning to normal today. Banks, stores and supermarkets were open again and traffic was flowing almost normally, residents said.