Monday, Jun. 28, 1993

Informed Sources

The F.O.B. Ambassador Track

U.S. Presidents always know the perfect thing to give a pal -- an ambassadorship. Secretary of State Warren Christopher recently sent Bill Clinton a list of four career diplomats whom he was recommending to become ambassadors. The President scribbled a no next to each name on the list and wrote at the top, "Where are all our friends?" One candidate has since been promised an embassy, one is leaving government, two are still waiting.

Pointing Fingers with Bloody Hands

WASHINGTON -- After 600 refugees were massacred in Liberia on June 6, it seemed as if everybody in this country riven by civil war wanted to blame somebody else for the slaughter. Eyewitnesses said the forces of rebel leader Charles Taylor were responsible; Taylor blamed the pro-government Armed Forces of Liberia. Now investigators believe that both versions have a piece of the even ghastlier truth. Taylor's rebels entered the camp, stole rice from the refugees and then went on a killing orgy. A.F.L. soldiers, who were supposed to be guarding the camp, did not intervene or bother to phone nearby West African peacekeeping troops, and later they looted the corpses.

Who's Running China?

HONG KONG -- Deng Xiaoping, China's senior leader, may be too senile to govern. According to a Western diplomatic source, the 88-year-old head of state has lost all real decision-making ability, and now Deng's family members -- some of whom had taken advantage of the authority vacuum -- stand to lose power. Members of the top leadership are distancing themselves from Deng's children, and a corrupt Deng retainer was recently stripped of his immunity from prosecution by the man who may someday officially become Deng's successor, Jiang Zemin.