TOLBERT OF LIBERIA IS KILLED IN A COUP LED BY A SERGEANT

Army enlisted men, charging "rampant corruption" in Liberia, staged a predawn coup today in which President William R. Tolbert Jr. was killed and replaced as head of state by a 28-year-old sergeant. In the first announcement over Monrovia Radio after the coup, Master Sgt. Samuel K. Doe said the army would be in charge in this West African counrtyu of 1.7 million people until a decision was made on the government. A later announcement referred to Sergeant Doe as the head of state, which was founded by slaves from the United States as the first black republic in Africa. Visitors to the executive mansion compund said Sergeant Doe was running the country from an outside building, assisted by other enlisted men who referred to him as "Mr. President."

In the Monrovia radio announcement, Sergeant Doe said an Army Redemption Council had seized control because "rampant corruption and continious failure by the Government to effectively handle the ffair of the Liberian people left the enlisted men no alternative." Shooting erupted around the five-story executive mansion, which houses the presidential offices and residence, soon after midnight. There was also sparodic shooting at several military installations.

Sergeant Doe disclosed President Tolbert's death to the Liberian News Agency, but no details were available on exactly how it occurred. Mr Tolbert's wife, Victoria, was arrested, the sergeant said. Sergeant Doe also broadcast announcements appointing junior officers, mostly captains and lieutenants, and some non-commissioned officers to take charge of rural areas. The enlisted men freed leaders of the opposition People's Progress Party, who were jailed after the called March 7 for President Tolbert's resignation. The freed leaders were present at the mansion, but informed sources said they appeared to be acting only in an advisory role.

There was some looting in the capital, much of it by soldiers, with stores owned by Lebanese and Indian merchants and homes of Government officials among the major targets. But the looting was not as widespread as an outbreak last year during rioting over an increase in rice prices. shooting was hears in the capital for hours after the coup, but it apparently came mostly from soldiers firing into the air in celebration. Soldiers commandeered vehicles and rode them through the city. Sergeant Doe proclaimed the situation "under control", but he ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew and suspended flights to and from the country. He also bradcast order to officials of the deposed Government to report to the executive mansion. The announcements were interspersed with American rock music and African songs.

The 66-year-old slain President was a descendant of freed American slaves who founded the republic in 1847. Though only 5 percent of the population, these "freed-men" have long dominated politics ans commerce, and American cultural influence is evident. Little in known of Sergeant Doe's background, but he is apparently of indigenous origin. "We know nothing about the political views of Sergeant Doe", said the British vice consul, Jeremy Lardner. "we never heard of him before." According to informed sources, however, his political outlook is "moderate".

During the afternoon, the American charge d'Affairs, Julian Walker, met at the executive mansion with Sergeant Doe and invited the Soviet Ambassador to a meeting. The American Ambassador, Robert P Smith, is in the United Stated for medical treatment. Details of the talks were not disclosed but Sergeant Doe appealed to foreign governments over radio not to "interfere". Diplomats here said the coup took them by surprise. Liberia had been regarded as one of Africa's most stable countries. "There was no intimation a coup would take place", Mr Laudner said. "Although one knows such a thing always is possible there was no forewarning".

Mt Tolbert, who was chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, had been President since July 1971 when he succeeded William VS Tubman, who died after almost 28 yers in office. Mr Tolbert was elected to an eight-year term in 1975 and woul have left office in 1983 under a Constitution that limits a president to ine full term. His family has widespread business interests and there have been periodic allegations of conflict of interest and corruption involving Government officials.

The People's Progress Party, which was formed in January, was banned last month after it organised a demonstation at the executive mansion calling for Mr. Tolbert's resignation and a share in political power.

The coup came three days after Amnesty International, a human rights group based in London, charged that the Government had issued "an open invitation to political murder" by offering rewards of $1 500 to $2 000 for the return "dead of alive" of 20 members of the party. The group said in a report: "The 20 proscribed individuals are being sought in connection with a current crackdown on the People's Progressive Party, the first opposition party permitted to function in Liberia since the late 1950's."

Source: New York Times