In
March 1991, as the war began to degenerate into series of atrocities, the
American embassy in Monrovia requested that all American nationals and
peace corp workers leave Nimba county. Foreigners came under attack,
and some were even kidnapped and killed. Even the embassy came under
attack as its Liberian personnel disappeared in fear for their lives and
the embassy's own Liberian guards made death threats against embassy
staff.
The
guards were angered that the embassy was removing taxes from their
paychecks. Earlier in the year, Doe had cancelled all taxes, but the
legislature had not approved the plan. The guards vented their
frustration on the embassy, and may even have burned down an embassy
warehouse. The day after the fire, the guards even marched on the
embassy until they were stopped by the ambassador and the Liberian
National Police.
One
of the guards called himself "Terminator-5" and gave graphic
descriptions of the harms he would cause to embassy staff during the
employment dispute. On the night of the fire, he was heard to shout
"It has begun," though nothing happened that night other
than the fire.
The
guards only embarked on a campaign of verbal terror and intimidation
against the staff and did not actually commit violence against the staff. This
scenario simulates what would have happened had the guards actually turned
on the embassy staff and attempted to loot the embassy. This action
is a night action with a half moon and no artificial lighting in the
embassy grounds.
All
buildings except the main embassy building are single story. The
embassy building is a two-story building.
Guards: The
embassy guard units have been angered by the deduction of taxes from their
paychecks. In the troubled civil war economy, American dollars keep
them and their families from starving. However, to protest against
the Liberian government would be suicidal as the Satue or AFL would
quickly kill them. It is much safer to protest against the embassy. Tonight,
however, a group of guards intends to do more than protest. A squad
has gathered and will attack the embassy building and attempt to loot it
for cash and valuables. Prisoners are required to show the locations
of valuables, or as hostages to force the cooperation of the other staff. Guards
set up in the embassy grounds.
Guard
Units:
2 Green
M1 Carbine
10
Militia
M1 Carbine
5 Militia
M-870 with 20 rounds "00"
Ammunition: All
guards carry 3 magazines FMJ. They also carry up to 10 petrol bombs (molotov
cocktails).
Staff: The
staff at the embassy has been cut back as much as possible, and only
essential people remain. They are staying in the embassy residences
because local residences have become too dangerous. The majority of
the staff are civilians, but there is a trio of USMC guards to provide
some measure of protection. The staff must hold off the attack of the
guards and prevent the guards from injuring the staff. Spare weapons
exist for some of the staffers who wish to join in the defence. Staff
set up in the main embassy building.
Staff
Units:
2 Line
M-16A2
1 Line
M-870 with 30 "00" & 10 slugs
4 Untrained
M-16A2
Ammunition: Except
where otherwise noted, all units carry 6 magazines FMJ. The USMC
guards (Line troops) also have access to 4 M26A2 hand grenades each and 2
tear gas grenades each. Gas masks are available for the USMC guards
only.
Civilians: There
are 7 unarmed civilians in the embassy building. They will see the
Liberian guards as an abusive non-authority.
Spoils: There
is a safe holding embassy funds and documents on the second floor of the
main embassy building. It is located in the northwest corner of the
floor.
Victory: The
Liberian guards score a major victory if they can loot the safe of the
embassy. The embassy staff win by preventing this.