Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
A Maryland County Representative has described government officials found in the business of awarding less beneficial contracts in concession areas as gangsters.
Representative Bhofal Chambers said it was counterproductive for government officials to approve concession deals not in the interest of the people.
He made the statement while again condemning the contract that led to the takeover of the Decoris oil palm by the Ivorian agro company, SIFCA.
According to Representative Chambers, it was unacceptable for some government officials to be involved in corrupt practice in the awarding of contracts.
The Pleeblo-Sodoken District-two and ruling Unity Party lawmaker did not identify any of the officials he considered as criminals.
But his statement comes nine days after he put a halt to the operations of the SIFCA contract in Maryland.
Representative Chambers claimed the 60 million investment capital of SIFCA is too low compared to the 127 million dollars being offered by the group, BSP.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
CHINESE ‘JUSTICE’: Chinamen Accused of Killing S. African Go on Trial in Liberia
Source: Star Radio Liberia
M. Welemongai Ciapha, II (213) 077-119-511
DAY IN COURT: Almost a year after the stabbing death of a South African national, allegedly by two Chinese nationals, the lawyer for the accused pair argued Tuesday that his clients could not speak the English Language, and further requested the court to obtain an interpreter. But the trial appears headed from some graphic details as the indictment suggests the victim, Wesley Craig, was allegedly stabbed to death with knives at his Randall Street residence on September 6, 2009 – and the accused had some serious motives for murder.
Monrovia -
The trial of two Chinese nationals, Meng Wang and Li Ma, who were indicted by the grand jury of Montserrado County for their involvement in the killing of a South African, began Tuesday at Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
The victim, Wesley Craig, was allegedly stabbed to death with knives at his Randall Street residence on September 6, 2009.
When the case was called for hearing, Atty. Sunifu Sherrif, who is one of the public defenders for Montserrado County brought to the attention of the court that his clients could not speak the English Language, and further requested the court to obtain an interpreter.
The defense submitted that his request was not intended to delay or baffle the proceedings, but in order for his clients to have fair justice.
In response to the application made by the defense, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, one of the prosecuting lawyers interposed no objection.
According to the indictment, copy of which is in the possession of FrontPage Africa, on September 6, 2009 the defendants Wang and Ma purchased two knives with criminal motives and went to the victim’s house.
The indictment further noted that during police preliminary investigation conducted with the accused, it was established that the deceased and the defendants became friends at an entertainment center called the “Village”, where they usually met to play pool.
“That on Sunday, September 6, Wang and Ma with criminal motives, went to the victim’s house to visit him after purchasing the two kitchen knives.
That upon arriving, they met Craig and his fiancée, yet to be identified, and the house boy. They all had conversation for sometime after which the victim’s fiancée left,” the indictment averred.
The indictment further revealed that the defendants remained in the apartment with the deceased and the house boy, and about 6:00 P.M., when the house boy had left, the defendants later returned and knocked the door of the apartment.
When the door was opened, the indictment further disclosed the defendants, Wang and Ma, told Craig that they wanted some water to drink.
Accordingly, said the indictment: “the victim took them to his kitchen, opened the refrigerator and offered them water. When they got through the drinking, the victim walked ahead of them toward the front door, so that they could leave. In the process, they (defendants) grabbed the victim, put a sharp instrument believed to be a knife to the (victim’s) throat, and threatened to kill him if he did not give them the money he had in the house.”
According to the indictment, the victim pleaded with them that he did not have money, but the accused walked with the victim toward his bed-room while the knife was still at his throat.
It is stated in the indictment that the defendants commanded the victim to lay down on his back on the floor, and that while lying down with the knife still pointed at his neck by one of the defendants, the other defendant went in the room, took the victim’s shirt and trousers, tied his feet and hands.
Further in the indictment, it is also averred that the victim managed to have untied the rope, but when the defendants noticed that the victim had untied the rope, they rushed on him, threw him on the bed, got hold of the knives and began stabbing him all over his body.
“The victim was still struggling, when the defendants put his (victim’s) trousers on his neck and tried to strangle him, but to no avail. Co-defendant Meng Wang then slashed the victim’s throat to silence him. That after killing the victim, they searched his whole apartment for money, but did not find any,” the indictment stated.
The indictment further pointed out that after killing Craig, the defendants criminally took one laptop, one Digital Camera, a bed clock, a DVD player and a cigarette lighter and made away with them.
M. Welemongai Ciapha, II (213) 077-119-511
DAY IN COURT: Almost a year after the stabbing death of a South African national, allegedly by two Chinese nationals, the lawyer for the accused pair argued Tuesday that his clients could not speak the English Language, and further requested the court to obtain an interpreter. But the trial appears headed from some graphic details as the indictment suggests the victim, Wesley Craig, was allegedly stabbed to death with knives at his Randall Street residence on September 6, 2009 – and the accused had some serious motives for murder.
Monrovia -
The trial of two Chinese nationals, Meng Wang and Li Ma, who were indicted by the grand jury of Montserrado County for their involvement in the killing of a South African, began Tuesday at Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
The victim, Wesley Craig, was allegedly stabbed to death with knives at his Randall Street residence on September 6, 2009.
When the case was called for hearing, Atty. Sunifu Sherrif, who is one of the public defenders for Montserrado County brought to the attention of the court that his clients could not speak the English Language, and further requested the court to obtain an interpreter.
The defense submitted that his request was not intended to delay or baffle the proceedings, but in order for his clients to have fair justice.
In response to the application made by the defense, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, one of the prosecuting lawyers interposed no objection.
According to the indictment, copy of which is in the possession of FrontPage Africa, on September 6, 2009 the defendants Wang and Ma purchased two knives with criminal motives and went to the victim’s house.
The indictment further noted that during police preliminary investigation conducted with the accused, it was established that the deceased and the defendants became friends at an entertainment center called the “Village”, where they usually met to play pool.
“That on Sunday, September 6, Wang and Ma with criminal motives, went to the victim’s house to visit him after purchasing the two kitchen knives.
That upon arriving, they met Craig and his fiancée, yet to be identified, and the house boy. They all had conversation for sometime after which the victim’s fiancée left,” the indictment averred.
The indictment further revealed that the defendants remained in the apartment with the deceased and the house boy, and about 6:00 P.M., when the house boy had left, the defendants later returned and knocked the door of the apartment.
When the door was opened, the indictment further disclosed the defendants, Wang and Ma, told Craig that they wanted some water to drink.
Accordingly, said the indictment: “the victim took them to his kitchen, opened the refrigerator and offered them water. When they got through the drinking, the victim walked ahead of them toward the front door, so that they could leave. In the process, they (defendants) grabbed the victim, put a sharp instrument believed to be a knife to the (victim’s) throat, and threatened to kill him if he did not give them the money he had in the house.”
According to the indictment, the victim pleaded with them that he did not have money, but the accused walked with the victim toward his bed-room while the knife was still at his throat.
It is stated in the indictment that the defendants commanded the victim to lay down on his back on the floor, and that while lying down with the knife still pointed at his neck by one of the defendants, the other defendant went in the room, took the victim’s shirt and trousers, tied his feet and hands.
Further in the indictment, it is also averred that the victim managed to have untied the rope, but when the defendants noticed that the victim had untied the rope, they rushed on him, threw him on the bed, got hold of the knives and began stabbing him all over his body.
“The victim was still struggling, when the defendants put his (victim’s) trousers on his neck and tried to strangle him, but to no avail. Co-defendant Meng Wang then slashed the victim’s throat to silence him. That after killing the victim, they searched his whole apartment for money, but did not find any,” the indictment stated.
The indictment further pointed out that after killing Craig, the defendants criminally took one laptop, one Digital Camera, a bed clock, a DVD player and a cigarette lighter and made away with them.
Eyeing Opportunity: Lawmaker Wants Diaspora Liberians Vote In 2011 elections
Moses Varfee Kowo
Source: FrontPage Africa
Monrovia –
Lofa County Lawmaker, Eugene Fallah Kparkar, has submitted a draft Legislation seeking legal permission for Liberians legally living in other countries to vote in elections in their country.
Kparkar told journalists after the Act was sent to the Committees on Elections, Foreign Affairs and Judiciary that he hope his colleagues will see the proposal in a positive way and to continue the disenfranchisement of Liberians who are living in other countries legally.
Fallah Kparkar says all Liberians legally living in different countries should have the opportunity to vote in their embassies accredited near that country’s capital and that the National Elections Commission shall conduct voter registration for these Liberians at their embassies .
Drafters of the Act quotes article 5.1 of the New Electoral Reform Law of 2004 as their reliance which states: “ Except one who has been judicially declared to be incompetent or of unsound mind, or who has been barred from voting as a result of his/her conviction or imprisonment for an infamous crime which disenfranchises him as a voter and has not been restored to full citizenship, a Liberian citizen who has attained the age of 18 or above and a valid registration card may vote at any election in the voting precinct of the electoral district for which he/she is registered.”
Fallah Kparkar said all Liberians legally living in different countries should have the opportunity to vote in their embassies accredited near that country’s capital and that the National Elections Commission shall conduct voter registration for these Liberians at their embassies .
His remarks were clearly spelt out in section 5.2 of his proposed Act: “where to vote: a Liberian citizen who has attained the age of 18 years or above with a valid registration card shall vote only in the voting precinct in the electoral district for which he/she is registered”
“(B) A Liberian citizen in the Diaspora who has attained the age of 18 years or above with a valid registration card shall vote only in the Liberian Embassy of the country in which the voter resides and have gone through the registration process conducted by NEC in the same embassy.”
But some lawmakers are concern that Liberia might be lacking the technical capacity to conduct elections outside its borders at this time; but others also count on a recent successful process in Liberia in which Guineans residing in Liberia voted in their national elections.
The new recommendation is expected to raise new debate in the Legislature as some Liberians might struggle to define ‘what is the legal definition of people that are living in other parts of the world’.
Source: FrontPage Africa
Monrovia –
Lofa County Lawmaker, Eugene Fallah Kparkar, has submitted a draft Legislation seeking legal permission for Liberians legally living in other countries to vote in elections in their country.
Fallah Kparkar says all Liberians legally living in different countries should have the opportunity to vote in their embassies accredited near that country’s capital and that the National Elections Commission shall conduct voter registration for these Liberians at their embassies .
Drafters of the Act quotes article 5.1 of the New Electoral Reform Law of 2004 as their reliance which states: “ Except one who has been judicially declared to be incompetent or of unsound mind, or who has been barred from voting as a result of his/her conviction or imprisonment for an infamous crime which disenfranchises him as a voter and has not been restored to full citizenship, a Liberian citizen who has attained the age of 18 or above and a valid registration card may vote at any election in the voting precinct of the electoral district for which he/she is registered.”
Fallah Kparkar said all Liberians legally living in different countries should have the opportunity to vote in their embassies accredited near that country’s capital and that the National Elections Commission shall conduct voter registration for these Liberians at their embassies .
His remarks were clearly spelt out in section 5.2 of his proposed Act: “where to vote: a Liberian citizen who has attained the age of 18 years or above with a valid registration card shall vote only in the voting precinct in the electoral district for which he/she is registered”
“(B) A Liberian citizen in the Diaspora who has attained the age of 18 years or above with a valid registration card shall vote only in the Liberian Embassy of the country in which the voter resides and have gone through the registration process conducted by NEC in the same embassy.”
But some lawmakers are concern that Liberia might be lacking the technical capacity to conduct elections outside its borders at this time; but others also count on a recent successful process in Liberia in which Guineans residing in Liberia voted in their national elections.
The new recommendation is expected to raise new debate in the Legislature as some Liberians might struggle to define ‘what is the legal definition of people that are living in other parts of the world’.
Sime Darby Company in criminal allegations
Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The multi-million dollar rubber concession company Sime Darby has been accused of criminally exploiting the former Guthrie Rubber Plantation.
Bomi County Representative Tarnue Cooper alleged the company which claims to have assets of 849-Million US dollars is still tapping the old rubber trees it inherited.
Representative Cooper alleged since its inception, Sime Darby has been paying workers from the meager latex obtained from the old rubber trees.
According to the Bomi lawmaker, workers who initially earned three hundred US dollars under the old management now earn fifty US dollars under Sime Darby.
The Senjeh District-Two Representative also accused the company of hiring drivers from Monrovia thus denying citizens of the area employment opportunity.
He said these hired drivers are usually given preferential treatment over their home-based counterpart something Representative Cooper described as unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Bomi County Representative Tarnue Cooper says Sime Darby is still using security people that resemble militia forces on the plantation.
He alleged the company has failed to implement its security program as provided for in the concession agreement.
All efforts to get a response from Government representative and Consultant at Sime Darby Boimah Soni failed as his phone rang endlessly.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The multi-million dollar rubber concession company Sime Darby has been accused of criminally exploiting the former Guthrie Rubber Plantation.
Bomi County Representative Tarnue Cooper alleged the company which claims to have assets of 849-Million US dollars is still tapping the old rubber trees it inherited.
Representative Cooper alleged since its inception, Sime Darby has been paying workers from the meager latex obtained from the old rubber trees.
According to the Bomi lawmaker, workers who initially earned three hundred US dollars under the old management now earn fifty US dollars under Sime Darby.
The Senjeh District-Two Representative also accused the company of hiring drivers from Monrovia thus denying citizens of the area employment opportunity.
He said these hired drivers are usually given preferential treatment over their home-based counterpart something Representative Cooper described as unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Bomi County Representative Tarnue Cooper says Sime Darby is still using security people that resemble militia forces on the plantation.
He alleged the company has failed to implement its security program as provided for in the concession agreement.
All efforts to get a response from Government representative and Consultant at Sime Darby Boimah Soni failed as his phone rang endlessly.
Legislature approves resolution to amend constitution
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Senate has finally concurred with the House of Representatives to approve a joint resolution to amend certain provisions of the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
In its session Tuesday, the Senate voted to concur with the House to amend Articles 52 (c), 72 (b), 83 (a) and (b).
The vote followed a report by the six-member conference committee chaired by Grand Gedeh Senator Isaac
Nyenabo.
The Senate endorsed the report for the controversial ten-year residency clause for the Presidency prior to election in Article 52 (c) to be reduced to five years.
Article 72 (b) which among others restricts judges of subordinate courts to retire at the age of seventy was amended for the judges to serve above seventy five years.
A change was also effected in the date of general voting contained in Article 83 (a) from the second Tuesday in October to the first Tuesday in November.
The Senate also agreed to amend Article 83 (b) to provide election of public officers not by absolute majority but by simple majority except for the Presidency.
The Chairman of the Senate’s conference Committee Isaac Nyenabo described the concurrence vote as a great day for Liberia.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Senate has finally concurred with the House of Representatives to approve a joint resolution to amend certain provisions of the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
In its session Tuesday, the Senate voted to concur with the House to amend Articles 52 (c), 72 (b), 83 (a) and (b).
The vote followed a report by the six-member conference committee chaired by Grand Gedeh Senator Isaac
Nyenabo.
The Senate endorsed the report for the controversial ten-year residency clause for the Presidency prior to election in Article 52 (c) to be reduced to five years.
Article 72 (b) which among others restricts judges of subordinate courts to retire at the age of seventy was amended for the judges to serve above seventy five years.
A change was also effected in the date of general voting contained in Article 83 (a) from the second Tuesday in October to the first Tuesday in November.
The Senate also agreed to amend Article 83 (b) to provide election of public officers not by absolute majority but by simple majority except for the Presidency.
The Chairman of the Senate’s conference Committee Isaac Nyenabo described the concurrence vote as a great day for Liberia.
Mass demolition of private homes claims House attention
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
An investigation is underway at the House of Representatives into government’s ongoing demolition exercises in Monrovia and its environs.
The investigation is a result of a letter by Montserrado District-two Representative Rufus Neufville drawing the House attention to the situation.
According to him, the ongoing demolition by the Public Works Ministry which is opening alleys and streets in and around Monrovia is problematic.
Representative Neufville said it was disturbing for concrete structures to be demolished without any notice and compensation for the occupants.
The letter sparked heated debate in the House with division emerging among the Representatives.
Lawmakers including Alomiza Ennos, Reginal Teah, Koukou Dorbor, Edwin Snowe of Montserrado and Eugene Fallah Kparkar of Lofa supported the letter.
However, Representatives Haja Fatta Siryon of Bomi, Moses Kollie of Lofa and Elijah Seah of River Gee and Zoe Pennue of Grand Gedeh objected to the letter.
They argued that the occupants were given prior notice and that they have been reluctant to leave.
Amidst the division, the House summoned Public works Minister Kofi Woods to appear before its appropriate committee on Thursday for clarification.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
An investigation is underway at the House of Representatives into government’s ongoing demolition exercises in Monrovia and its environs.
The investigation is a result of a letter by Montserrado District-two Representative Rufus Neufville drawing the House attention to the situation.
According to him, the ongoing demolition by the Public Works Ministry which is opening alleys and streets in and around Monrovia is problematic.
Representative Neufville said it was disturbing for concrete structures to be demolished without any notice and compensation for the occupants.
The letter sparked heated debate in the House with division emerging among the Representatives.
Lawmakers including Alomiza Ennos, Reginal Teah, Koukou Dorbor, Edwin Snowe of Montserrado and Eugene Fallah Kparkar of Lofa supported the letter.
However, Representatives Haja Fatta Siryon of Bomi, Moses Kollie of Lofa and Elijah Seah of River Gee and Zoe Pennue of Grand Gedeh objected to the letter.
They argued that the occupants were given prior notice and that they have been reluctant to leave.
Amidst the division, the House summoned Public works Minister Kofi Woods to appear before its appropriate committee on Thursday for clarification.
Liberia/China US$ 8.6 million deal backfires
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into an 8.6 million US dollars contract signed between Liberia and a Chinese firm.
The contract relates to the renovation of the dilapidated hotel building at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.
The investigation by the House was triggered by a protest letter by Grand Gedeh Representative Zoe Pennue.
Representative Pennue claimed the contract was dubiously signed because it did go through the public procurement and concession commission’s laws.
According to him, it was important for the House to look at the agreement to ensure transparency and accountability.
In its session Tuesday, the House voted in majority to constitute a special committee to investigate the agreement.
The Committee comprises Montserrado Representative Koukou Dorbor, Chairperson, and Grand Gedeh lawmaker Kai Farley, Co-chair.
The membership includes Vinicious Hodges of Grand Bassa, Evans Koah of Nimba and the newly seated River Gee Representative Christian Chea.
Our reporter says the inclusion of lawmaker Chea on the committee came hours after he took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution of Liberia.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into an 8.6 million US dollars contract signed between Liberia and a Chinese firm.
The contract relates to the renovation of the dilapidated hotel building at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.
The investigation by the House was triggered by a protest letter by Grand Gedeh Representative Zoe Pennue.
Representative Pennue claimed the contract was dubiously signed because it did go through the public procurement and concession commission’s laws.
According to him, it was important for the House to look at the agreement to ensure transparency and accountability.
In its session Tuesday, the House voted in majority to constitute a special committee to investigate the agreement.
The Committee comprises Montserrado Representative Koukou Dorbor, Chairperson, and Grand Gedeh lawmaker Kai Farley, Co-chair.
The membership includes Vinicious Hodges of Grand Bassa, Evans Koah of Nimba and the newly seated River Gee Representative Christian Chea.
Our reporter says the inclusion of lawmaker Chea on the committee came hours after he took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution of Liberia.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
President orders ‘illegal’ Ducor residents to vacate, PLUS Ambassador to the United States Nathaniel Barnes refused to go to Liberia despite being ordered by the Liberian President to report.
Written by Robert J. Clarke, Jr.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has again called on people she considers illegal occupants of the premises of the Ducor Intercontinental Hotel to vacate.
Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio told reporters the President has asked the occupants to take advantage of the relocation plan offered by government.
Mr. Badio said renovation work on the hotel will soon begin and government wants to ensure that the work is not hindered.
Meanwhile, the Executive Mansion says it has not received its Ambassador to the United States Nathaniel Barnes despite being ordered to report.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last week recalled Ambassador Barnes from the US for what the Mansion calls consultation.
The Presidential Press Secretary told reporters it may take less than a month for the return of the recalled Ambassador.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has again called on people she considers illegal occupants of the premises of the Ducor Intercontinental Hotel to vacate.
Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio told reporters the President has asked the occupants to take advantage of the relocation plan offered by government.
Mr. Badio said renovation work on the hotel will soon begin and government wants to ensure that the work is not hindered.
Meanwhile, the Executive Mansion says it has not received its Ambassador to the United States Nathaniel Barnes despite being ordered to report.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last week recalled Ambassador Barnes from the US for what the Mansion calls consultation.
The Presidential Press Secretary told reporters it may take less than a month for the return of the recalled Ambassador.
WAEC mass failures claim of education officials’ attention
Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Education Ministry says it is concerned about report of mass failure of senior high school students in this year’s West African Examination Council exams.
The Deputy Minister of Education for Instruction said statistics indicates that the general performance of students has dropped.
Deputy Mnister Mator Kpangbai told the news conference Monday the general performance of students dropped from seventy eight per cent in 2008 to seventy six percent in 2009.
He named poor quality of instruction in schools as one of the underlying factors responsible for the mass failure of students.
The Deputy Education Minister however disclosed the ministry has instituted several measures to improve the quality of instruction in the school system.
He identified the measures as prioritizing teachers’ development and realignment of the existing curriculum with other WAEC member countries.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Education Ministry says it is concerned about report of mass failure of senior high school students in this year’s West African Examination Council exams.
The Deputy Minister of Education for Instruction said statistics indicates that the general performance of students has dropped.
Deputy Mnister Mator Kpangbai told the news conference Monday the general performance of students dropped from seventy eight per cent in 2008 to seventy six percent in 2009.
He named poor quality of instruction in schools as one of the underlying factors responsible for the mass failure of students.
The Deputy Education Minister however disclosed the ministry has instituted several measures to improve the quality of instruction in the school system.
He identified the measures as prioritizing teachers’ development and realignment of the existing curriculum with other WAEC member countries.
Campbell agent denies lying over Taylor diamonds 'gift'
Source: BBC Africa News
Courtenay Griffiths: "Miss White, I suggest that your account is a complete pack of lies"
The former agent of supermodel Naomi Campbell has denied lying in her testimony at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Under cross examination, Carole White repeated allegations that Ms Campbell received diamonds from Mr Taylor after a dinner in South Africa in 1997.
Defence counsel Courtenay Griffiths called her account "a complete pack of lies" made up to assist a lawsuit over breach of contract with Ms Campbell.
"It's not a lie," Ms White said.
Charles Taylor
The former agent is suing Ms Campbell for breach of contract, claiming that the model owes her about $600,000 (£375,000) in lost earnings over the past two years.
"Put bluntly," said Mr Griffiths, "For you this is all about money, there ain't nothing funny."
Ms White responded by saying: "I can categorically tell you, this happened. I told people about it after the journey, people that I trusted. It was quite funny at the time. It's not so funny now."
"It has nothing whatsoever to do with my business argument with Naomi Campbell," Ms White added. "This is not about money. This is about a very serious matter and I am telling the truth."
Blood diamonds
Mr Taylor is standing trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague.
He faces 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of which he denies, over his alleged role in the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, where he is accused of backing rebels responsible for widespread atrocities.
'Blood diamonds'
• Rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against governments
• Fuelled conflicts in countries such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and DR Congo
• The 2003 Kimberley Process requires its 49 members, who represent 75 countries, to certify shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free"
• Critics question the system, saying countries with the worst wars have weak internal controls
Mr Taylor is accused of selling diamonds and buying weapons for Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front rebels, who were notorious for hacking off the hands and legs of civilians.
Tens of thousands of people died in interlinked conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1980s and 1990s.
Prosecutors are trying to link the former Liberian leader to the diamonds that Ms Campbell received. He has denied having anything to do with the trade in so-called blood diamonds.
On Monday, Carole White told the court that during a dinner with Nelson Mandela, Mr Taylor told Ms Campbell he would send some men to her guest house to give her diamonds.
Afterwards, she said Ms Campbell was communicating with the men by text and was "very excited" about the diamonds arrival.
Her account contradicted Ms Campbell, who last week testified that she had received the diamonds unexpectedly and did not know who they were from.
'Taylor nodded'
During cross examination, Mr Griffiths queried Ms White's recollection of the dinner and the events afterwards at the guest house.
Carole White said Mr Taylor 'nodded' to indicate that he would give diamonds to Naomi Campbell
The defence lawyer repeatedly asked Ms White how she could be sure that the diamonds were gifts from Mr Taylor.
Ms White told the court she did not hear Mr Taylor directly offering Ms Campbell diamonds at the dinner table.
Instead, she said that Mr Taylor "nodded to Naomi" in agreement when she said "he's going to give me diamonds".
Mr Griffiths then asked Ms White why she thought that two men who came to her guest house to give Miss Campbell a pouch of rough diamonds were sent by Mr Taylor.
"When the men arrived you say they threw pebbles at your window and you looked out. Did the men say they had come from Charles Taylor?" asked Mr Griffiths.
"Not that I recall. They said they had a gift for Miss Campbell," replied Ms White.
"So you assumed they were from Charles Taylor?" said Mr Griffths.
"Yes," said Ms White.
'No recollection'
Last week, Ms Campbell told the court that two unidentified men had come to her room in the middle of the night and given her a pouch of stones.
She said: "At breakfast I told [actress] Mia Farrow and Miss White what had happened and one of the two said, well that's obviously Charles Taylor, and I said, yes I guess it was."
Campbell: 'I saw a few dirty looking stones in the pouch'
But in court today Ms White said she had "no recollection of having breakfast with Mia Farrow".
"Do you recall having breakfast with Naomi Campbell?" asked the presiding judge, Julia Sebutinde.
"I don't recall breakfast at all," Ms White replied.
Mr Taylor, 62, was arrested in 2006 and his trial in opened in 2007.
The former warlord is accused of arming Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the 1991-2002 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels who murdered, raped and maimed Sierra Leone civilians, frequently hacking off their hands and legs.
Mr Taylor's trial gained little international media coverage until the appearance of Ms Campbell.
Courtenay Griffiths: "Miss White, I suggest that your account is a complete pack of lies"
The former agent of supermodel Naomi Campbell has denied lying in her testimony at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Under cross examination, Carole White repeated allegations that Ms Campbell received diamonds from Mr Taylor after a dinner in South Africa in 1997.
Defence counsel Courtenay Griffiths called her account "a complete pack of lies" made up to assist a lawsuit over breach of contract with Ms Campbell.
"It's not a lie," Ms White said.
Charles Taylor
The former agent is suing Ms Campbell for breach of contract, claiming that the model owes her about $600,000 (£375,000) in lost earnings over the past two years.
"Put bluntly," said Mr Griffiths, "For you this is all about money, there ain't nothing funny."
Ms White responded by saying: "I can categorically tell you, this happened. I told people about it after the journey, people that I trusted. It was quite funny at the time. It's not so funny now."
"It has nothing whatsoever to do with my business argument with Naomi Campbell," Ms White added. "This is not about money. This is about a very serious matter and I am telling the truth."
Blood diamonds
Mr Taylor is standing trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague.
He faces 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of which he denies, over his alleged role in the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, where he is accused of backing rebels responsible for widespread atrocities.
'Blood diamonds'
• Rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against governments
• Fuelled conflicts in countries such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and DR Congo
• The 2003 Kimberley Process requires its 49 members, who represent 75 countries, to certify shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free"
• Critics question the system, saying countries with the worst wars have weak internal controls
Mr Taylor is accused of selling diamonds and buying weapons for Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front rebels, who were notorious for hacking off the hands and legs of civilians.
Tens of thousands of people died in interlinked conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1980s and 1990s.
Prosecutors are trying to link the former Liberian leader to the diamonds that Ms Campbell received. He has denied having anything to do with the trade in so-called blood diamonds.
On Monday, Carole White told the court that during a dinner with Nelson Mandela, Mr Taylor told Ms Campbell he would send some men to her guest house to give her diamonds.
Afterwards, she said Ms Campbell was communicating with the men by text and was "very excited" about the diamonds arrival.
Her account contradicted Ms Campbell, who last week testified that she had received the diamonds unexpectedly and did not know who they were from.
'Taylor nodded'
During cross examination, Mr Griffiths queried Ms White's recollection of the dinner and the events afterwards at the guest house.
Carole White said Mr Taylor 'nodded' to indicate that he would give diamonds to Naomi Campbell
The defence lawyer repeatedly asked Ms White how she could be sure that the diamonds were gifts from Mr Taylor.
Ms White told the court she did not hear Mr Taylor directly offering Ms Campbell diamonds at the dinner table.
Instead, she said that Mr Taylor "nodded to Naomi" in agreement when she said "he's going to give me diamonds".
Mr Griffiths then asked Ms White why she thought that two men who came to her guest house to give Miss Campbell a pouch of rough diamonds were sent by Mr Taylor.
"When the men arrived you say they threw pebbles at your window and you looked out. Did the men say they had come from Charles Taylor?" asked Mr Griffiths.
"Not that I recall. They said they had a gift for Miss Campbell," replied Ms White.
"So you assumed they were from Charles Taylor?" said Mr Griffths.
"Yes," said Ms White.
'No recollection'
Last week, Ms Campbell told the court that two unidentified men had come to her room in the middle of the night and given her a pouch of stones.
She said: "At breakfast I told [actress] Mia Farrow and Miss White what had happened and one of the two said, well that's obviously Charles Taylor, and I said, yes I guess it was."
Campbell: 'I saw a few dirty looking stones in the pouch'
But in court today Ms White said she had "no recollection of having breakfast with Mia Farrow".
"Do you recall having breakfast with Naomi Campbell?" asked the presiding judge, Julia Sebutinde.
"I don't recall breakfast at all," Ms White replied.
Mr Taylor, 62, was arrested in 2006 and his trial in opened in 2007.
The former warlord is accused of arming Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the 1991-2002 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels who murdered, raped and maimed Sierra Leone civilians, frequently hacking off their hands and legs.
Mr Taylor's trial gained little international media coverage until the appearance of Ms Campbell.
KEEPING THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT HONEST
IS THIS THE FUTURE YOU HAVE FOR OUR CHILDREN? THE LIBERIA BUREAU OF MARITIME AFFAIRS HAVING THE AUTHORITY TO BORROW BEYOND ITS MEANS THROUGHT DEFICIT SPENDING. THE AUTHORITY HAVING REVENUE OF $10 MILLION CAN BORROW $15 MILLION TO MEET ITS EXPENDITURE. THAT’S THE KIND OF EXPENDITURE THAT EXPLAINS INDEBTING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LIBERIA FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! STOP PUTTING LIBERIA FUTURE IN DEBTS THAT OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHIDREN MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PAY OFF.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA
Written by Abraham Hoff
Chief Community Organizer of LEAD Liberia
H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
LEAD Liberia believes that the Maritime Authority Act is a regulatory set-up for indebting our beloved country (Liberia), plundering our natural resources and promoting financial irresponsibility in Liberia—with that being said, we are calling upon the President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to veto the Maritime Authority Act because it is not in the national interest of our beloved country (Liberia).
According to Frontpageafrica.com, this week Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is expected to sign a revised version of the Liberian Maritime Authority Act which brought in a storm of criticism and international rebuke within the past 10 days for it sweeping grant of powers, mainly dubious, to an unelected body. LEAD Liberia believes it is absurd to give the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of the Authority immunity from prosecution or lawsuits under this Act in the performance and execution of their duties as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners and in carrying out any other governmental functions proscribed under the Liberian Maritime Laws and Regulations, provided the actions of said officers and employees are not determined to be negligent or criminal in nature. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
This generation has decided to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. We need a government that leads with trust and integrity thereby siding with the Liberian people. The people have had enough of the same old--fake politicians who are doing nothing positive but stealing taxpayer money from government’s coffers, taking bribe, committing fraud and engaging in waste and corrupt activities, while depleting the country natural resources. The people have had enough of the status quo who have not done an effective job of understanding what our natural resources are [whether they are renewable or not]. The people have had enough of the status quo because they lack fresh ideas and the torch must be passed to the next generation. If not us WHO? If not now WENT?
The status quo said all is well in Liberia; however, as we travel across Liberia we know that all isn't well because parents are struggling to fee their children--not talking about sending them to school--the youth like me-who have to struggle and make it against all odds are struggling to make end meats, not talking about gaining high school education and/or higher education. Today, we don’t have to take a survey to know that all is not well across Liberia. In fact, my story today is part of the larger Liberian’s story. My story here today is pretty unlikely. My family is not part of the elite class and the well connected in Liberia.
Through the help of God and hard work in school, I got a double promotion from seventh grade to eighth grade. Unfortunately, I was unable to enroll for that semester because my uncle, Josiah did not have the financial standing to send me to school and there were no scholarships for students who do well in schools. I was required to pay my school fees before returning to school for that semester. Therefore, I did not attend school for that semester. I ended up selling boiled eggs from Rally Town Market to Water Side Market; from Mamba Point to Broad Street just to help my uncle and his wife paid for my primary education. I grew up selling plastic bags from Rally Town Market to Water Side Market just to help my uncle and his wife paid for my tuition in primary school. In addition, I carried bags of coal on my head from Rally Town Market to people houses just to earn money for other fees in school—this shouldn’t be in Liberia. My story today is part of the larger Liberian’s story.
These corrupt politicians said all is well in Liberia. Today, the Liberian people are the ones doing the lifting while their elected officials are standing on the sideline to watch ordinary Liberians build schools and pay teachers out of their own pocket. I am talking about the schools the government supposed to build and the teachers the government supposed to pay. I am talking about the same people who destroyed our beloved country because of greed and personal agenda. I am talking about the status quo who have had majority in both the Senate and the House without implanting a single appropriation bill that benefits the struggling people of Liberia. OH they have forsaken the struggling people that got them elected in the first place. But now election is around the corner and they are back with their same old promises and policies--LIFT Liberia and/or New Beginning. We have decided to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. They must pass the torch to the next generation and if Not Us WHO? If Not Now WENT?
These people are out of touch with reality, because if they were not…they who have understand the many problems ordinary Liberians are facing day by day….They who have understand the situations of the young boys and girls who are struggling by the day to earn a high school diploma and/or end meats….some are even selling boiled eggs and plastic bags on the streets to pay for fees in schools….while others are towering bags of fire coal on their heads and engaging in child labor and other immoral acts to support themselves and their families--the youth like me-who have to struggle and make it through primary and secondary schools against all odds. However, our government officials are seeking immunity from prosecution or lawsuits under the Maritime Authority Act, this shouldn’t be in Liberia.
Today, my fellow Liberians, I am calling upon you to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. Today, my fellow Liberians, I calling upon you to tell the status quo as President, Barack Obama said, “Not this year--Not this time. Today Liberians, let’s us come together and tell our so-call politicians and the status quo ‘Not this election and not in this generation. The choice is clear and the time is now, so help us God.
Thank you and May God bless the Republic of Liberia.
LEAD Organizing For Liberia
Abraham Hoff, Chief Community Organizer
077384990 leadliberia@yahoo.com
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA
Written by Abraham Hoff
Chief Community Organizer of LEAD Liberia
H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
LEAD Liberia believes that the Maritime Authority Act is a regulatory set-up for indebting our beloved country (Liberia), plundering our natural resources and promoting financial irresponsibility in Liberia—with that being said, we are calling upon the President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to veto the Maritime Authority Act because it is not in the national interest of our beloved country (Liberia).
According to Frontpageafrica.com, this week Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is expected to sign a revised version of the Liberian Maritime Authority Act which brought in a storm of criticism and international rebuke within the past 10 days for it sweeping grant of powers, mainly dubious, to an unelected body. LEAD Liberia believes it is absurd to give the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of the Authority immunity from prosecution or lawsuits under this Act in the performance and execution of their duties as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners and in carrying out any other governmental functions proscribed under the Liberian Maritime Laws and Regulations, provided the actions of said officers and employees are not determined to be negligent or criminal in nature. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
This generation has decided to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. We need a government that leads with trust and integrity thereby siding with the Liberian people. The people have had enough of the same old--fake politicians who are doing nothing positive but stealing taxpayer money from government’s coffers, taking bribe, committing fraud and engaging in waste and corrupt activities, while depleting the country natural resources. The people have had enough of the status quo who have not done an effective job of understanding what our natural resources are [whether they are renewable or not]. The people have had enough of the status quo because they lack fresh ideas and the torch must be passed to the next generation. If not us WHO? If not now WENT?
The status quo said all is well in Liberia; however, as we travel across Liberia we know that all isn't well because parents are struggling to fee their children--not talking about sending them to school--the youth like me-who have to struggle and make it against all odds are struggling to make end meats, not talking about gaining high school education and/or higher education. Today, we don’t have to take a survey to know that all is not well across Liberia. In fact, my story today is part of the larger Liberian’s story. My story here today is pretty unlikely. My family is not part of the elite class and the well connected in Liberia.
Through the help of God and hard work in school, I got a double promotion from seventh grade to eighth grade. Unfortunately, I was unable to enroll for that semester because my uncle, Josiah did not have the financial standing to send me to school and there were no scholarships for students who do well in schools. I was required to pay my school fees before returning to school for that semester. Therefore, I did not attend school for that semester. I ended up selling boiled eggs from Rally Town Market to Water Side Market; from Mamba Point to Broad Street just to help my uncle and his wife paid for my primary education. I grew up selling plastic bags from Rally Town Market to Water Side Market just to help my uncle and his wife paid for my tuition in primary school. In addition, I carried bags of coal on my head from Rally Town Market to people houses just to earn money for other fees in school—this shouldn’t be in Liberia. My story today is part of the larger Liberian’s story.
These corrupt politicians said all is well in Liberia. Today, the Liberian people are the ones doing the lifting while their elected officials are standing on the sideline to watch ordinary Liberians build schools and pay teachers out of their own pocket. I am talking about the schools the government supposed to build and the teachers the government supposed to pay. I am talking about the same people who destroyed our beloved country because of greed and personal agenda. I am talking about the status quo who have had majority in both the Senate and the House without implanting a single appropriation bill that benefits the struggling people of Liberia. OH they have forsaken the struggling people that got them elected in the first place. But now election is around the corner and they are back with their same old promises and policies--LIFT Liberia and/or New Beginning. We have decided to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. They must pass the torch to the next generation and if Not Us WHO? If Not Now WENT?
These people are out of touch with reality, because if they were not…they who have understand the many problems ordinary Liberians are facing day by day….They who have understand the situations of the young boys and girls who are struggling by the day to earn a high school diploma and/or end meats….some are even selling boiled eggs and plastic bags on the streets to pay for fees in schools….while others are towering bags of fire coal on their heads and engaging in child labor and other immoral acts to support themselves and their families--the youth like me-who have to struggle and make it through primary and secondary schools against all odds. However, our government officials are seeking immunity from prosecution or lawsuits under the Maritime Authority Act, this shouldn’t be in Liberia.
Today, my fellow Liberians, I am calling upon you to give the status quo a “generation retirement check. Today, my fellow Liberians, I calling upon you to tell the status quo as President, Barack Obama said, “Not this year--Not this time. Today Liberians, let’s us come together and tell our so-call politicians and the status quo ‘Not this election and not in this generation. The choice is clear and the time is now, so help us God.
Thank you and May God bless the Republic of Liberia.
LEAD Organizing For Liberia
Abraham Hoff, Chief Community Organizer
077384990 leadliberia@yahoo.com
Monday, August 9, 2010
Charles Taylor 'gave Naomi Campbell diamonds'
Carole White's testimony took most of the afternoon
Source: BBC
Ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor gave Naomi Campbell diamonds after a 1997 dinner in South Africa, the supermodel's former agent Carole White has told Mr Taylor's war-crimes trial.
She said Mr Taylor had promised the model the diamonds during the meal.
The account contradicts evidence given by Ms Campbell, who said she did not know who had given her the gems.
Prosecutors say Mr Taylor traded with rebels in Sierra Leone, giving them weapons in return for diamonds.
Tens of thousands of people died in interlinked conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1980s and 1990s.
Charles Taylor
Mr Taylor denies 11 charges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague, and he has denied having anything to do with the trade in so-called blood diamonds.
According to Ms White, Mr Taylor and Ms Campbell had been "mildly flirtatious" with each other at the 1997 dinner in South Africa, hosted by Nelson Mandela who was the country's president at the time.
Mr Taylor told the supermodel during dinner that he would send some men to give her diamonds, Ms White told the hearing.
"We were sitting around this lounge area at about 10 o'clock at night and we were waiting for these men to arrive," Ms White said.
"She was in communication with them by phone - most likely by text. Someone was informing her that the car was nearly there."
'Surprise gift'
Ms White said Ms Campbell was "very excited" about the diamonds.
"The guys came in and they sat down in the lounge and we sat opposite them... they then took out a quite scruffy paper and they handed it to Miss Campbell and said 'these are the diamonds'," she said.
'Blood diamonds'
• Rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against governments
• Fuelled conflicts in countries such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and DR Congo
• The 2003 Kimberley Process requires its 49 members, who represent 75 countries, to certify shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free"
• Critics question the system, saying countries with the worst wars have weak internal controls
"She opened them and showed them to me. They were quite disappointing because they weren't shiny."
Earlier on Monday, US actress Mia Farrow, who was at the dinner, had also testified that Ms Campbell had been excited by the gift.
Last week, Ms Campbell told the hearing that two men had come into her room in the middle of the night and given her a pouch of stones, and that she did not know who had given her the gift.
She told the court she had given the stones to Jeremy Ractliffe of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund the next morning because she wanted them to go to charity.
Mr Ractliffe has now handed the gems to police, and on Sunday they confirmed that the stones were real diamonds.
Mr Taylor, 62, was arrested in 2006 and his trial in opened in 2007.
The former warlord is accused of arming Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the 1991-2002 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels who murdered, raped and maimed Sierra Leone civilians, frequently hacking off their hands and legs.
The Sierra Leone war became notorious for the widespread use of child soldiers.
Source: BBC
Ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor gave Naomi Campbell diamonds after a 1997 dinner in South Africa, the supermodel's former agent Carole White has told Mr Taylor's war-crimes trial.She said Mr Taylor had promised the model the diamonds during the meal.
The account contradicts evidence given by Ms Campbell, who said she did not know who had given her the gems.
Prosecutors say Mr Taylor traded with rebels in Sierra Leone, giving them weapons in return for diamonds.
Tens of thousands of people died in interlinked conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1980s and 1990s.
Charles Taylor
Mr Taylor denies 11 charges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague, and he has denied having anything to do with the trade in so-called blood diamonds.
According to Ms White, Mr Taylor and Ms Campbell had been "mildly flirtatious" with each other at the 1997 dinner in South Africa, hosted by Nelson Mandela who was the country's president at the time.
Mr Taylor told the supermodel during dinner that he would send some men to give her diamonds, Ms White told the hearing.
"We were sitting around this lounge area at about 10 o'clock at night and we were waiting for these men to arrive," Ms White said.
"She was in communication with them by phone - most likely by text. Someone was informing her that the car was nearly there."
'Surprise gift'
Ms White said Ms Campbell was "very excited" about the diamonds.
"The guys came in and they sat down in the lounge and we sat opposite them... they then took out a quite scruffy paper and they handed it to Miss Campbell and said 'these are the diamonds'," she said.
'Blood diamonds'
• Rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against governments
• Fuelled conflicts in countries such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and DR Congo
• The 2003 Kimberley Process requires its 49 members, who represent 75 countries, to certify shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free"
• Critics question the system, saying countries with the worst wars have weak internal controls
"She opened them and showed them to me. They were quite disappointing because they weren't shiny."
Earlier on Monday, US actress Mia Farrow, who was at the dinner, had also testified that Ms Campbell had been excited by the gift.
Last week, Ms Campbell told the hearing that two men had come into her room in the middle of the night and given her a pouch of stones, and that she did not know who had given her the gift.
She told the court she had given the stones to Jeremy Ractliffe of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund the next morning because she wanted them to go to charity.
Mr Ractliffe has now handed the gems to police, and on Sunday they confirmed that the stones were real diamonds.
Mr Taylor, 62, was arrested in 2006 and his trial in opened in 2007.
The former warlord is accused of arming Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the 1991-2002 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels who murdered, raped and maimed Sierra Leone civilians, frequently hacking off their hands and legs.
The Sierra Leone war became notorious for the widespread use of child soldiers.
Nigeria: How Obasanjo, Sirleaf-Johnson Betrayed Taylor - Fani-Kayode
Iyobosa Uwugiaren
Source: allafrica.com
______________________________________
ANALYSIS
Abuja — Amidst controversy over the ongoing trial of former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, at the International Court of Criminal Justice, The Hague, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former presidential spokesman, has described Taylor as "a man betrayed".
Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation, who blamed his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Liberian president Sirleaf-Johnson and the United States for Taylor's present predicament said, "This was the betrayal of the century."
In a statement entitled, 'Charles Taylor, Naomi Campbell, Blood Diamonds And A Man Betrayed', Chief Fani-Kayode said the agreement with Taylor - not to do anything to him - was put in place before President Sirleaf-Johnson was elected and she was fully aware of its terms from day one.
According to him: "This was the betrayal of the century and, in my view, those that should have known better panicked at the last minute and broke ranks.
"Ironically, the real traitor was not Obasanjo, but rather President Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia. The agreement with Taylor was put in place before she was elected, but she was fully aware of its terms from day one. She was actually the American and Nigerian candidate for that election and she worked very closely with the Americans, Obasanjo and Nigeria before she was elected to power."
Chief Fani-Kayode, who was a member of former President Obasanjo's kitchen cabinet said that the deal with Taylor was that he (Taylor) would be persuaded to step down as president of Liberia by the ECOWAS leaders and the African Union and would be given a "safe haven" in Nigeria after doing so.
Fani-Kayode added: "He (Taylor) would not be harassed; he would not face prosecution in Liberia, Sierra Leone, or at the International Court at The Hague and Nigeria would not be pressured or harassed by anyone to extradite him to anywhere.
"On his part, Taylor was expected to live quietly in Calabar with his relatives, under the direct supervision and care of Donald Duke, the then governor of Cross River State and he was to stay out of Liberian politics and not in any way interfere with what was going on over there."
He said African leaders - including Chief Obasanjo-endorsed the agreement and seven African leaders later went to Liberia and accompanied Taylor to Nigeria, which was to be his new home and final point of destination for many years and possibly the rest of his life.
The former special assistant (Public Affairs) to Obasanjo added that it was the deal with Taylor that led to a free and fair election in Liberia, which brought President Sirleaf-Johnson to power.
"However, after the lady came to power everything changed. She ditched Obasanjo and Nigeria, turned her back on the ECOWAS leaders and the African Union and she became even closer to Bush and the Americans," Fani-Kayode added.
He said Taylor's present problems started when Obasanjo went on a state visit to America and Bush put suffocating pressure on him to release Taylor to enable him face criminal trial.
Fani-Kayode said that although his former boss fought the matter out long and hard, he later succumbed to pressure from the US and President Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia.
He said Obasanjo should have resisted the pressure, because all African leaders at that time were supported him on the matter.
Source: allafrica.com
______________________________________
ANALYSIS
Abuja — Amidst controversy over the ongoing trial of former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, at the International Court of Criminal Justice, The Hague, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former presidential spokesman, has described Taylor as "a man betrayed".
Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation, who blamed his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Liberian president Sirleaf-Johnson and the United States for Taylor's present predicament said, "This was the betrayal of the century."
In a statement entitled, 'Charles Taylor, Naomi Campbell, Blood Diamonds And A Man Betrayed', Chief Fani-Kayode said the agreement with Taylor - not to do anything to him - was put in place before President Sirleaf-Johnson was elected and she was fully aware of its terms from day one.
According to him: "This was the betrayal of the century and, in my view, those that should have known better panicked at the last minute and broke ranks.
"Ironically, the real traitor was not Obasanjo, but rather President Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia. The agreement with Taylor was put in place before she was elected, but she was fully aware of its terms from day one. She was actually the American and Nigerian candidate for that election and she worked very closely with the Americans, Obasanjo and Nigeria before she was elected to power."
Chief Fani-Kayode, who was a member of former President Obasanjo's kitchen cabinet said that the deal with Taylor was that he (Taylor) would be persuaded to step down as president of Liberia by the ECOWAS leaders and the African Union and would be given a "safe haven" in Nigeria after doing so.
Fani-Kayode added: "He (Taylor) would not be harassed; he would not face prosecution in Liberia, Sierra Leone, or at the International Court at The Hague and Nigeria would not be pressured or harassed by anyone to extradite him to anywhere.
"On his part, Taylor was expected to live quietly in Calabar with his relatives, under the direct supervision and care of Donald Duke, the then governor of Cross River State and he was to stay out of Liberian politics and not in any way interfere with what was going on over there."
He said African leaders - including Chief Obasanjo-endorsed the agreement and seven African leaders later went to Liberia and accompanied Taylor to Nigeria, which was to be his new home and final point of destination for many years and possibly the rest of his life.
The former special assistant (Public Affairs) to Obasanjo added that it was the deal with Taylor that led to a free and fair election in Liberia, which brought President Sirleaf-Johnson to power.
"However, after the lady came to power everything changed. She ditched Obasanjo and Nigeria, turned her back on the ECOWAS leaders and the African Union and she became even closer to Bush and the Americans," Fani-Kayode added.
He said Taylor's present problems started when Obasanjo went on a state visit to America and Bush put suffocating pressure on him to release Taylor to enable him face criminal trial.
Fani-Kayode said that although his former boss fought the matter out long and hard, he later succumbed to pressure from the US and President Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia.
He said Obasanjo should have resisted the pressure, because all African leaders at that time were supported him on the matter.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Joint Resolution: End in Itself or Catalyst
Source: The Analyst
Written by The Analyst Staff Writer
The government of Liberia issued a legislative Joint Resolution reinforcing existing electoral guidelines and constitutional provisions – despite irreconcilable demographic shifts due to war and slow postwar recovery – to apply in the 2011 general and presidential elections.
ICGL Says ‘Catalyst’; Calls for Accelerated Efforts
The resolution is a compromise intended to get around the current impasse between the Legislature and the Executive on the allocation of the population-per-electoral district ratio, a necessary condition for the holding of the 2011 elections, constitutionally.
Proponents say that solves the dilemma between having an election without legal constituent demarcations and having one with a legal guarantor of a sort.
But not many agree – amongst them is the International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL), a cardinal stakeholder in the Liberian recovery process. This brings to the front burner the question of whether the Joint Resolution should be an end in itself (a temporary substitute for the Threshold Act) or a catalyst for more legislative enactments prior to Elections 2011. The Analyst, reports.
The ICGL, though took note of the signing of the legislative Joint Resolution last week, has urged the National Legislature to move quickly to reinforce relevant portions of the Constitution in time for the holding of referendums required for the legal conduct of the 2011 presidential and general elections.
Intent of Legislative Joint Resolution
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf signed into law a Joint Resolution of the National Legislature, which from all considerations the government intended to be an end in itself – providing the legal framework for the conduct of the 2011 general and presidential elections.
“The issue of setting the Electoral Threshold has dragged on for two long. It may not be the best document but certainly an instrument that can guide us toward an important exercise to sustain our democracy. The National Elections Commission can now begin the process leading to the holding of successful elections next year,” Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said of the Joint Resolution during a regular press briefing Monday this week.
He then quoted President Sirleaf as saying that those who may have problem with the issuance of a joint resolution instead of a threshold law must consider the greater picture of what the resolution lent to the process and give their support for a smooth and transparent process.
“Among other measures, the Joint Resolution states that the sixty-four (64) Electoral Districts set up and used by the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the conduct of the 2005 Presidential and Legislative elections shall remain constant,” he disclosed.
But he quoted the resolution as saying that for the purpose of the 2011 presidential and legislative elections, each county would retain the existing number of seats it has in the House of Representatives.
From the government’s standpoint, according to observers, that should end the chapter on the Threshold Act debate until otherwise ordered and open the door for preparatory works for the conduct of Elections 2011.
As ICGL Sees It
But for the ICGL, the release of the Joint Resolution is actually the beginning of what must be achieved in order to hold free, fair, and democratic elections in 2011 to which the international community stands ready to contribute generously.
“Members of the ICGL take note of the signing of the “Joint Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives on the setting of an Electoral Threshold for the conduct of the 2011 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia” and encourage all Liberians to remain engaged until the electoral framework for the 2011 elections, as required by the Constitution, is established.
It strongly urges the Legislature to accelerate the passage of the elections-related provisions of the Constitution to facilitate the conduct of the necessary referendum in time for the 2011 elections,” the group said in a position statement issued yesterday.
The statement, which was signed by ICGL, co-chairs Amb. Kenneth Asare Bosompem of Ghana and Amb. Attilio Pacifici of the European Union, did not specify the “election-related provisions” that must be passed, neither did it say what referendum needed to be conducted prior to the 2011 elections.
But the group said it was necessary that the process leading up to the elections was planned appropriately because the 2011 elections were crucial test to the extent of democratization in the country and to the return to normalcy. It said this would be the case because the pending elections were to be handled exclusively by Liberians under the watchful eyes of the international community.
“Therefore, the ICGL urges the National Elections Commission (NEC) to proceed with dispatch all arrangements toward the successful conduct of the 2011 elections,” the statement said.
The statement said once the group was contented that the electoral process was on keel, it would do everything possible to make additional contributions to costs related to the establishment of legal framework for the 2011 elections. It did not say what it would do if the government failed to put into place the required legal framework.
Background to impasse
The current 64-member House of Representatives is based on the on-the-spot registration of voters and existing legislative representation quota in 2005. It was the best solution to give displaced Liberians and returning exiles, who could not return to their original places of abode, the opportunity to take part in the 2005 legislative and presidential elections.
As the result of that ‘solution’, Montserrado and neighboring counties, which were relatively safe for electoral activities, received lion’s share of the house representatives, with nearly half of the representatives coming from Montserrado County alone.
The representation anomaly, plus the conduct of a population census in 2008 in keeping with Article 39, necessitated the review of the population-per-constituency ratio, thus prompting the introduction of the “Threshold Bill” by the Executive Branch of Government nearly two years ago.
The Constitution of Liberia at Article 80 (d) sets the population-per-constituency ratio at 20,000 based on the 1984 national census and authorized the National Legislature to prescribe a different figure “in keeping with population growth and movements as revealed by a national census; provided that the total number of electoral constituencies in the Republic shall not exceed one hundred”.
Since the Constitution came into force in 1986 not only has the populated shifted dramatically, but also the political subdivisions of Liberia have grown from 13 to 15 as the economic withdrew into unrecoverable coma, overshadowing the genuine need to increase in House representation.
The Representative section of the Capitol Building, a parliamentary building constructed sometime in the early 1960s when there were only nine political subdivisions in the country today carries a burden for 15 counties – with a minimum of four lawmakers complete with support staff.
The question that faces the government is how to increase the number of constituencies and representatives without incurring the additional need of expanding the parliamentary building and increasing the legislative wage and incentives bills.
This has been the bone of contention of the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building – the former arguing on the side of the need to avoid the opportunity cost for increasing representation and enshrining participatory democracy and the latter arguing on behalf of representation of the people.
More than twice the Executive Mansion vetoed a House and Senate concurrence bill favoring a radical increase in representation, arguing that any increase in legislative representation would put additional strain on national resources and undermine the economic recovery process.
It was to get around the stalemate as the 2011 presidential and general election crept silently upon them that the Legislature signed a joint resolution agreeing to disagree and the President immediately signed it into law, hoping that that would put the debate on ice at least until some conditions in the future reawakened it.
Now the question that remains is what would the government – the Executive and the Legislature – do in the few remaining months, in the wake of the ICGL contention for the proper things to be put into place, that it did not do, could not do, in more than two years.
Whatever it finds to do, analysts says, will be a test of nationhood ahead of the elections that many agree will test Liberia’s level of democratization and protection of sovereignty.
Written by The Analyst Staff Writer
The government of Liberia issued a legislative Joint Resolution reinforcing existing electoral guidelines and constitutional provisions – despite irreconcilable demographic shifts due to war and slow postwar recovery – to apply in the 2011 general and presidential elections.
ICGL Says ‘Catalyst’; Calls for Accelerated Efforts
The resolution is a compromise intended to get around the current impasse between the Legislature and the Executive on the allocation of the population-per-electoral district ratio, a necessary condition for the holding of the 2011 elections, constitutionally.
Proponents say that solves the dilemma between having an election without legal constituent demarcations and having one with a legal guarantor of a sort.
But not many agree – amongst them is the International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL), a cardinal stakeholder in the Liberian recovery process. This brings to the front burner the question of whether the Joint Resolution should be an end in itself (a temporary substitute for the Threshold Act) or a catalyst for more legislative enactments prior to Elections 2011. The Analyst, reports.
The ICGL, though took note of the signing of the legislative Joint Resolution last week, has urged the National Legislature to move quickly to reinforce relevant portions of the Constitution in time for the holding of referendums required for the legal conduct of the 2011 presidential and general elections.
Intent of Legislative Joint Resolution
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf signed into law a Joint Resolution of the National Legislature, which from all considerations the government intended to be an end in itself – providing the legal framework for the conduct of the 2011 general and presidential elections.
“The issue of setting the Electoral Threshold has dragged on for two long. It may not be the best document but certainly an instrument that can guide us toward an important exercise to sustain our democracy. The National Elections Commission can now begin the process leading to the holding of successful elections next year,” Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said of the Joint Resolution during a regular press briefing Monday this week.
He then quoted President Sirleaf as saying that those who may have problem with the issuance of a joint resolution instead of a threshold law must consider the greater picture of what the resolution lent to the process and give their support for a smooth and transparent process.
“Among other measures, the Joint Resolution states that the sixty-four (64) Electoral Districts set up and used by the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the conduct of the 2005 Presidential and Legislative elections shall remain constant,” he disclosed.
But he quoted the resolution as saying that for the purpose of the 2011 presidential and legislative elections, each county would retain the existing number of seats it has in the House of Representatives.
From the government’s standpoint, according to observers, that should end the chapter on the Threshold Act debate until otherwise ordered and open the door for preparatory works for the conduct of Elections 2011.
As ICGL Sees It
But for the ICGL, the release of the Joint Resolution is actually the beginning of what must be achieved in order to hold free, fair, and democratic elections in 2011 to which the international community stands ready to contribute generously.
“Members of the ICGL take note of the signing of the “Joint Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives on the setting of an Electoral Threshold for the conduct of the 2011 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia” and encourage all Liberians to remain engaged until the electoral framework for the 2011 elections, as required by the Constitution, is established.
It strongly urges the Legislature to accelerate the passage of the elections-related provisions of the Constitution to facilitate the conduct of the necessary referendum in time for the 2011 elections,” the group said in a position statement issued yesterday.
The statement, which was signed by ICGL, co-chairs Amb. Kenneth Asare Bosompem of Ghana and Amb. Attilio Pacifici of the European Union, did not specify the “election-related provisions” that must be passed, neither did it say what referendum needed to be conducted prior to the 2011 elections.
But the group said it was necessary that the process leading up to the elections was planned appropriately because the 2011 elections were crucial test to the extent of democratization in the country and to the return to normalcy. It said this would be the case because the pending elections were to be handled exclusively by Liberians under the watchful eyes of the international community.
“Therefore, the ICGL urges the National Elections Commission (NEC) to proceed with dispatch all arrangements toward the successful conduct of the 2011 elections,” the statement said.
The statement said once the group was contented that the electoral process was on keel, it would do everything possible to make additional contributions to costs related to the establishment of legal framework for the 2011 elections. It did not say what it would do if the government failed to put into place the required legal framework.
Background to impasse
The current 64-member House of Representatives is based on the on-the-spot registration of voters and existing legislative representation quota in 2005. It was the best solution to give displaced Liberians and returning exiles, who could not return to their original places of abode, the opportunity to take part in the 2005 legislative and presidential elections.
As the result of that ‘solution’, Montserrado and neighboring counties, which were relatively safe for electoral activities, received lion’s share of the house representatives, with nearly half of the representatives coming from Montserrado County alone.
The representation anomaly, plus the conduct of a population census in 2008 in keeping with Article 39, necessitated the review of the population-per-constituency ratio, thus prompting the introduction of the “Threshold Bill” by the Executive Branch of Government nearly two years ago.
The Constitution of Liberia at Article 80 (d) sets the population-per-constituency ratio at 20,000 based on the 1984 national census and authorized the National Legislature to prescribe a different figure “in keeping with population growth and movements as revealed by a national census; provided that the total number of electoral constituencies in the Republic shall not exceed one hundred”.
Since the Constitution came into force in 1986 not only has the populated shifted dramatically, but also the political subdivisions of Liberia have grown from 13 to 15 as the economic withdrew into unrecoverable coma, overshadowing the genuine need to increase in House representation.
The Representative section of the Capitol Building, a parliamentary building constructed sometime in the early 1960s when there were only nine political subdivisions in the country today carries a burden for 15 counties – with a minimum of four lawmakers complete with support staff.
The question that faces the government is how to increase the number of constituencies and representatives without incurring the additional need of expanding the parliamentary building and increasing the legislative wage and incentives bills.
This has been the bone of contention of the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building – the former arguing on the side of the need to avoid the opportunity cost for increasing representation and enshrining participatory democracy and the latter arguing on behalf of representation of the people.
More than twice the Executive Mansion vetoed a House and Senate concurrence bill favoring a radical increase in representation, arguing that any increase in legislative representation would put additional strain on national resources and undermine the economic recovery process.
It was to get around the stalemate as the 2011 presidential and general election crept silently upon them that the Legislature signed a joint resolution agreeing to disagree and the President immediately signed it into law, hoping that that would put the debate on ice at least until some conditions in the future reawakened it.
Now the question that remains is what would the government – the Executive and the Legislature – do in the few remaining months, in the wake of the ICGL contention for the proper things to be put into place, that it did not do, could not do, in more than two years.
Whatever it finds to do, analysts says, will be a test of nationhood ahead of the elections that many agree will test Liberia’s level of democratization and protection of sovereignty.
An Open Letter To The Liberia House of Representatives
KEEPING LIBERIA MINISTERS WITH US$1000, 00 CARS HONEST
NOT LIBERIA, NOT THIS TIME
Written by Abraham Hoff
Chief Community Organizer of LEAD Liberia
Chief Community Organizer of LEAD Liberia
077384990 leadliberia@yahoo.com
DEAR Representatives
LEAD Liberia applauds Honorable Evans Koah and his colleagues’ efforts to prevent waste in post—conflict government of Liberia thereby launching an investigation into the purchase of luxurious cars by some members of the Executive Branch. Liberia will be a great nation and a better place to live not because of its perfection, but the belief that loyalty to the country is paramount to loyalty to government persons, party and/or any ministers. The belief that working in the interest of the masses and investing in our children and the youth; the belief that Liberians who love Liberia can change it. People who had the audacity to believe that Liberia could be a better place and the courage to work to make it so. Today in Liberia, government officials are riding US$100K CARS, while leaving ordinary Liberians with the residual side effects of poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, illiteracy, challenges of health, crime and corruption that often define the lives of many of our people especially, disadvantaged families, our seniors, underprivileged youth and young women.
Today in Liberia, our government officials don’t put the people and the country above personal agenda when making critical decisions that could affect the masses and the national interest of the country like purchasing a CUSTOM—MADE US$100K Lincoln Navigator. We the people have been promised change, but we are yet to see the change. And we have been disappointed. Our government officials usually put individual greed above the people and the national interest of the country. If Liberia is to flourish with development, peace, unity, security and prosperity; we must learn to put the people and the national interest of the country above partisan’s ideology and above individual greed, just like Honorable Evans Koah. The challenges ahead are great; however the benefits are even greater.
The LEAD Organizing For Liberia believes we must change not just our policies, but our politics and the corrupt system that often runs our government. These are not just broken politics. These are policy failures that reward their interests over the common interest and the short-term over the long-term. These are broken politics that often puts government at the service of the powerful and more corrupt individuals while leaving the people to fend for themselves and their children. These are policy failures and broken politics that often create a corrupt system for rewarding those individuals who are caught up in corruption scandals and shuts out the voice of the Liberian People. The Liberian’s State is at risk. Poverty is on the rise, and millions of our fellow citizens have no access to healthcare and good education, while families struggling to care for their children and aging parents but our government officials are riding US$100K CARS. The cost of gaining higher education is unbearable for parents, students, university and graduate students. Our Teachers and professors do not receive good pay for good work. This is not the Liberia we dream off. The fail transportation system, underemployed and unemployment are hitting poor families and working families alike.
Today, we are calling upon the Liberian government to implement fiscal policy that will require government ministries, agencies, commissions; bureaus, etc. to keep administrative costs to a minimum while maximizing their ability to provide support and assistance to the suffering people of Liberia. LEAD Liberia is calling upon the Liberian government to launch Liberia Employees Charitable Campaign thereby asking all government employees, especially those in high places of government to donate to the charitable campaign, which will fund projects such as education, seniors programs, food banks, clean water, sustainable community development, etc. since our government officials have enough money to buy CUSTOM—MADE US$100K cars—they should be giving back some of that money to the community and to the suffering people of Liberia.
The theme for this Charitable Campaign shall be REACHING OUT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. The National Legislation of Liberia shall ensure the limits of fundraising expenses to no more than 10 cents on a dollar. The government of Liberia shall make sure that all government employees giving and participation in this charitable campaign is volunteered through payroll deduction. The Minister of Health & Social Welfare and the Minister of Youth & Sport shall serve as co-chairs for the “Liberia Employees Charitable Campaign” along with a citizen oversight committee. The choice is clear and the time is now, so help us God.
Thank you and May God bless the Republic of Liberia.
LEAD Organizing For Liberia
Sierra Leone: Actress to Testify Before UN-Backed War Crimes Trial of Former Liberian Leader
Source: allafrica.com
The actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow is set to give evidence on Monday about blood diamonds that are the current focus of testimony at the ongoing trial of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor at a United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal.
Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) will hear from Ms. Farrow and the agent Carole White following evidence given yesterday by the high-profile British model Naomi Campbell.
Ms. Campbell told the SCSL, which is sitting in The Hague in the Netherlands for the trial of Mr. Taylor, that she was given a pouch of "very small, dirty-looking stones" by two unidentified men while staying at the home of the former South African president Nelson Mandela in 1997.
Mr. Taylor, who is on trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, has long been accused of using blood diamonds to fuel conflict in Sierra Leone while he served as leader of neighbouring Liberia.
A blood diamond is a diamond that is mined in a war zone and then sold to finance the activities of an army, insurgency or warlord, and they have been a feature of many African conflicts in the past two decades.
But Mr. Taylor denies the blood diamond allegations and has pleaded not guilty before the SCSL to 11 charges, including pillage, slavery for forced marriage purposes, collective punishment and the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The charges relate to his alleged support for two rebel groups in Sierra Leone - the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and the Revolutionary United Front.
Ms. Campbell said yesterday that the men did not introduce themselves when they gave her the pouch while she was trying to sleep at the presidential home following a dinner party held by Mr. Mandela.
Discussing the matter the next morning at breakfast with Ms. Farrow and Ms. White, Ms. Campbell said she was told the stones were likely to be diamonds and from Mr. Taylor, another guest at the dinner party.
The model said she later gave the stones to a representative of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund because she wanted them to go to charity. She said she was unaware of Mr. Taylor before the dinner party or the term 'blood diamond.'
The SCSL was set up jointly by the Sierra Leonean Government and the UN in 2002 and is headquartered in Freetown, the capital. It is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and national law committed on Sierra Leonean territory since the end of November 1996.
The actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow is set to give evidence on Monday about blood diamonds that are the current focus of testimony at the ongoing trial of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor at a United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal.
Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) will hear from Ms. Farrow and the agent Carole White following evidence given yesterday by the high-profile British model Naomi Campbell.
Ms. Campbell told the SCSL, which is sitting in The Hague in the Netherlands for the trial of Mr. Taylor, that she was given a pouch of "very small, dirty-looking stones" by two unidentified men while staying at the home of the former South African president Nelson Mandela in 1997.
Mr. Taylor, who is on trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, has long been accused of using blood diamonds to fuel conflict in Sierra Leone while he served as leader of neighbouring Liberia.
A blood diamond is a diamond that is mined in a war zone and then sold to finance the activities of an army, insurgency or warlord, and they have been a feature of many African conflicts in the past two decades.
But Mr. Taylor denies the blood diamond allegations and has pleaded not guilty before the SCSL to 11 charges, including pillage, slavery for forced marriage purposes, collective punishment and the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The charges relate to his alleged support for two rebel groups in Sierra Leone - the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and the Revolutionary United Front.
Ms. Campbell said yesterday that the men did not introduce themselves when they gave her the pouch while she was trying to sleep at the presidential home following a dinner party held by Mr. Mandela.
Discussing the matter the next morning at breakfast with Ms. Farrow and Ms. White, Ms. Campbell said she was told the stones were likely to be diamonds and from Mr. Taylor, another guest at the dinner party.
The model said she later gave the stones to a representative of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund because she wanted them to go to charity. She said she was unaware of Mr. Taylor before the dinner party or the term 'blood diamond.'
The SCSL was set up jointly by the Sierra Leonean Government and the UN in 2002 and is headquartered in Freetown, the capital. It is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and national law committed on Sierra Leonean territory since the end of November 1996.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Liberia: UN Welcomes Efforts to Contain Spread of HIV/Aids
Source: allAfrica.com
United Nations officials in Liberia have welcomed the launch of a new national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS, stressing the importance of tackling the disease before infection rates become high in the West African country.
Liberia's National AIDS Commission yesterday launched a strategic framework for 2010 to 2014 in the capital, Monrovia, with the target of containing the spread of HIV at its current rate of 1.5 per cent among the general population.
The strategy also aims to mitigate the disease's impact on the health and well-being of people infected with HIV.
While Liberia currently has low HIV infection rates, UN officials note that experts warn that the country's authorities need to increase the intensity of their prevention and care efforts to avert an epidemic of the scale experienced by many countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
"HIV steadily marches on, and now, rather than later, is the best time for us to rally behind Liberia in preventing the HIV from spreading," said Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for the Rule of Law.
"We cannot allow Liberia to suffer such a fate, in addition to the challenges of extreme levels of poverty and unacceptably high levels of sexual and gender-based violence."
United Nations officials in Liberia have welcomed the launch of a new national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS, stressing the importance of tackling the disease before infection rates become high in the West African country.
Liberia's National AIDS Commission yesterday launched a strategic framework for 2010 to 2014 in the capital, Monrovia, with the target of containing the spread of HIV at its current rate of 1.5 per cent among the general population.
The strategy also aims to mitigate the disease's impact on the health and well-being of people infected with HIV.
While Liberia currently has low HIV infection rates, UN officials note that experts warn that the country's authorities need to increase the intensity of their prevention and care efforts to avert an epidemic of the scale experienced by many countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
"HIV steadily marches on, and now, rather than later, is the best time for us to rally behind Liberia in preventing the HIV from spreading," said Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for the Rule of Law.
"We cannot allow Liberia to suffer such a fate, in addition to the challenges of extreme levels of poverty and unacceptably high levels of sexual and gender-based violence."
All My Discussions With Mr. Taylor Were About Peace In Sierra Leone, Issa Sesay Tells Special Court
Source: The Trial of Charles Taylor of Liberia
A former Sierra Leonean rebel leader testifying for Charles Taylor today told the Special Court for Sierra Leone judges in The Hague that all the discussions he had with the former Liberian president focused mainly on how to bring the conflict in Sierra Leone to an end.
Issa Hassan Sesay, a former interim leader of the Revolutionary Unit Front (RUF) who has been convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for his role in the Sierra Leone conflict and who now is serving a 52 year jail sentence in Rwanda, has spent more than two weeks testifying for Mr. Taylor. In his testimony today, Mr. Sesay gave credence to a regular theme that was prevalent in Mr. Taylor’s own testimony: that Mr. Taylor was a peacemaker and his involvement with rebel forces in Sierra Leone was solely to bring an end to the conflict in that country.
When asked today by a defense lawyer for Mr. Taylor, Silas Chikera what the nature of his discussions with Mr. Taylor were in the year 2000, Mr. Sesay had this to say:
“All the discussion I had with Charles Taylor in 2000 was about peace in Sierra Leone, and it is in those discussions that peace started and that’s why peace returned to Sierra Leone.”
Mr. Taylor has long maintained that he only had dealings with RUF rebels because he was working with the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring peace to Sierra Leone. Prosecutors on the other hand have said that Mr. Taylor was in control of the rebel group and that in his regular meetings with RUF commanders in Liberia, he received diamonds from the rebels, gave them arms and ammunition for use in Sierra Leone, and helped them to plan certain operations that led to the commission of crimes against the civilian population of the country. According to prosecutors, when Mr. Sesay became leader of the RUF, Mr. Taylor instructed him not to allow the RUF to be disarmed by United Nations peacekeepers. Mr. Taylor has denied these assertions. Today, Mr. Sesay told the court that the allegations are lies because Mr. Taylor was a peacemaker.
“Mr. Taylor was concerned about the disarmament in Sierra Leone and the commitment of the RUF…Even Mr. Taylor was one of the ECOWAS leaders who brokered peace in Sierra Leone,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
Mr. Sesay also refuted the testimony of a previous prosecution witness Abu Keita, who in 2008 told the court that on the instructions of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sesay asked RUF fighters to attack Guinea with the aim of unseating that country’s president, the late Lansana Conte. Mr. Keita told the court that he was among those who were sent to attack Guinea. Mr. Sesay denied this account, saying instead that the the RUF only entered into Guinea when they repelled Guinean forces who had attacked RUF positions in Sierra Leone.
When asked by Mr. Chikera why the RUF had to go into Guinean territory, Mr. Sesay said, “It was to ensure that the Guineans did not attack RUF position and they had been doing it from 1998.”
“The Guineans had been crossing and attacking RUF positions in 1998 and the RUF had been in Kailahun since 1991 and they never crossed into Guinea but the Guineans started attacking RUF positions from [19] 98 up to 2000…When they returned to Guinea, RUF chased them there,” Mr. Sesay said.
Mr. Sesay dismissed as lies, claims by Mr. Keita when he testified for the prosecution that Mr. Sesay sent him and some men to attack Guinea.
“I did not send Abu Keita or any other person to attack Guinea. He is lying. That is a lie,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
Mr. Sesay told the court that Mr. Keita had made up stories against Mr. Taylor because the Prosecutor had made promises to send him and his family abroad and to give him some money for his testimony. He said when the Prosecutor had not honoured his promise, Mr. Keita had threatened to take legal action against the Prosecutor in the Sierra Leonean courts. Mr. Sesay said he read about Mr. Keita’s threat of court action in the Sierra Leonean newspapers while he (Sesay) was in detention in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sesay’s testimony continues on Tuesday. On Monday, Hollywood actress Mia Farrow and Naomi Campbell’s former agent Carole White will take the witness stand to testify about allegations that Mr. Taylor gave Ms. Campbell a gift of rough diamonds in South Africa in 1997. Ms. Campbell herself testified about the incident yesterday.
A former Sierra Leonean rebel leader testifying for Charles Taylor today told the Special Court for Sierra Leone judges in The Hague that all the discussions he had with the former Liberian president focused mainly on how to bring the conflict in Sierra Leone to an end.
Issa Hassan Sesay, a former interim leader of the Revolutionary Unit Front (RUF) who has been convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for his role in the Sierra Leone conflict and who now is serving a 52 year jail sentence in Rwanda, has spent more than two weeks testifying for Mr. Taylor. In his testimony today, Mr. Sesay gave credence to a regular theme that was prevalent in Mr. Taylor’s own testimony: that Mr. Taylor was a peacemaker and his involvement with rebel forces in Sierra Leone was solely to bring an end to the conflict in that country.
When asked today by a defense lawyer for Mr. Taylor, Silas Chikera what the nature of his discussions with Mr. Taylor were in the year 2000, Mr. Sesay had this to say:
“All the discussion I had with Charles Taylor in 2000 was about peace in Sierra Leone, and it is in those discussions that peace started and that’s why peace returned to Sierra Leone.”
Mr. Taylor has long maintained that he only had dealings with RUF rebels because he was working with the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring peace to Sierra Leone. Prosecutors on the other hand have said that Mr. Taylor was in control of the rebel group and that in his regular meetings with RUF commanders in Liberia, he received diamonds from the rebels, gave them arms and ammunition for use in Sierra Leone, and helped them to plan certain operations that led to the commission of crimes against the civilian population of the country. According to prosecutors, when Mr. Sesay became leader of the RUF, Mr. Taylor instructed him not to allow the RUF to be disarmed by United Nations peacekeepers. Mr. Taylor has denied these assertions. Today, Mr. Sesay told the court that the allegations are lies because Mr. Taylor was a peacemaker.
“Mr. Taylor was concerned about the disarmament in Sierra Leone and the commitment of the RUF…Even Mr. Taylor was one of the ECOWAS leaders who brokered peace in Sierra Leone,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
Mr. Sesay also refuted the testimony of a previous prosecution witness Abu Keita, who in 2008 told the court that on the instructions of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sesay asked RUF fighters to attack Guinea with the aim of unseating that country’s president, the late Lansana Conte. Mr. Keita told the court that he was among those who were sent to attack Guinea. Mr. Sesay denied this account, saying instead that the the RUF only entered into Guinea when they repelled Guinean forces who had attacked RUF positions in Sierra Leone.
When asked by Mr. Chikera why the RUF had to go into Guinean territory, Mr. Sesay said, “It was to ensure that the Guineans did not attack RUF position and they had been doing it from 1998.”
“The Guineans had been crossing and attacking RUF positions in 1998 and the RUF had been in Kailahun since 1991 and they never crossed into Guinea but the Guineans started attacking RUF positions from [19] 98 up to 2000…When they returned to Guinea, RUF chased them there,” Mr. Sesay said.
Mr. Sesay dismissed as lies, claims by Mr. Keita when he testified for the prosecution that Mr. Sesay sent him and some men to attack Guinea.
“I did not send Abu Keita or any other person to attack Guinea. He is lying. That is a lie,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
Mr. Sesay told the court that Mr. Keita had made up stories against Mr. Taylor because the Prosecutor had made promises to send him and his family abroad and to give him some money for his testimony. He said when the Prosecutor had not honoured his promise, Mr. Keita had threatened to take legal action against the Prosecutor in the Sierra Leonean courts. Mr. Sesay said he read about Mr. Keita’s threat of court action in the Sierra Leonean newspapers while he (Sesay) was in detention in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sesay’s testimony continues on Tuesday. On Monday, Hollywood actress Mia Farrow and Naomi Campbell’s former agent Carole White will take the witness stand to testify about allegations that Mr. Taylor gave Ms. Campbell a gift of rough diamonds in South Africa in 1997. Ms. Campbell herself testified about the incident yesterday.
Mandela charity official 'received Campbell diamonds'
Source: BBC
The former head of Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Jeremy Ractliffe, has said he did receive uncut diamonds from the model Naomi Campbell.
He issued a statement after her testimony at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
It is alleged she received the gems from Mr Taylor in 1997, which could link him to illegal "blood diamonds".
Mr Ractliffe said he was happy to testify in The Hague and had now handed the stones over to the authorities.
"Three small uncut diamonds were given to me by Naomi Campbell on the Blue Train on 26 September 1997," he said in a statement sent to the BBC.
South Africa's special Hawks police unit has since confirmed to the BBC that they received the stones from Mr Ractliffe on Thursday, who first made contact with them on Tuesday.
It said the diamonds were now being tested to find out their origin.
Protecting reputations
At the trial, Ms Campbell said she was given some "dirty-looking stones" after a 1997 charity dinner hosted by South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela where Mr Taylor was also a guest.
She said two unidentified men appeared at her room and gave her the stones.
She told the court she did not have proof they came from Mr Taylor and had given them to Mr Ractliffe because she wanted the stones to go to charity.
"Naomi suggested they could be of some benefit to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) - but I told her I would not involve the NMCF in anything that could possibly be illegal," Mr Ractliffe said.
The fund has repeatedly denied receiving any diamonds from Ms Campbell.
Mr Ractliffe, who is still a trustee of the fund, said he took the diamonds as he thought it might be illegal for her to take them out of the country.
"In the end I decided I should just keep them," he said.
"A factor that influenced me not to report the matter to anyone was to protect the reputation of the NMCF, Mr Mandela himself and Naomi Campbell, none of whom were benefiting in any way."
Ms Campbell said at the trial in The Hague on Thursday that she spoke to Mr Ractliffe on the telephone in 2009, and he said he still had the stones.
Our reporter says it is possible that Mr Ractliffe and even Ms Campbell may have committed offences under South African law.
'Serious investigation'
The legal code stipulates that any person without a permit who finds a rough diamond must forthwith hand it in at a police station.
Hawks' spokesman Musa Zondi told the BBC the gemstones had already been sent off for "verification and authentication".
If they proved to be "blood diamonds" a "serious investigation" would be set in motion and "everyone who was involved with the diamonds" would be questioned, he said.
Allegations that the uncut gemstones were given to Ms Campbell emerged in a statement by US actress Mia Farrow, who also attended the 1997 dinner.
Ms Farrow and Ms Campbell's former agent Carole White are due to appear before the Special Court for Sierra Leone at The Hague on Monday.
Mr Taylor is accused of using illegally mined diamonds to secure weapons for Sierra Leone's RUF rebels during the 1991-2001 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels.
The rebels were notoriously brutal, frequently hacking off the hands and legs of civilians.
The former head of Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Jeremy Ractliffe, has said he did receive uncut diamonds from the model Naomi Campbell.
He issued a statement after her testimony at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
It is alleged she received the gems from Mr Taylor in 1997, which could link him to illegal "blood diamonds".
Mr Ractliffe said he was happy to testify in The Hague and had now handed the stones over to the authorities.
"Three small uncut diamonds were given to me by Naomi Campbell on the Blue Train on 26 September 1997," he said in a statement sent to the BBC.
South Africa's special Hawks police unit has since confirmed to the BBC that they received the stones from Mr Ractliffe on Thursday, who first made contact with them on Tuesday.
It said the diamonds were now being tested to find out their origin.
Protecting reputations
At the trial, Ms Campbell said she was given some "dirty-looking stones" after a 1997 charity dinner hosted by South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela where Mr Taylor was also a guest.
She said two unidentified men appeared at her room and gave her the stones.
She told the court she did not have proof they came from Mr Taylor and had given them to Mr Ractliffe because she wanted the stones to go to charity.
"Naomi suggested they could be of some benefit to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) - but I told her I would not involve the NMCF in anything that could possibly be illegal," Mr Ractliffe said.
The fund has repeatedly denied receiving any diamonds from Ms Campbell.
Mr Ractliffe, who is still a trustee of the fund, said he took the diamonds as he thought it might be illegal for her to take them out of the country.
"In the end I decided I should just keep them," he said.
"A factor that influenced me not to report the matter to anyone was to protect the reputation of the NMCF, Mr Mandela himself and Naomi Campbell, none of whom were benefiting in any way."
Ms Campbell said at the trial in The Hague on Thursday that she spoke to Mr Ractliffe on the telephone in 2009, and he said he still had the stones.
Our reporter says it is possible that Mr Ractliffe and even Ms Campbell may have committed offences under South African law.
'Serious investigation'
The legal code stipulates that any person without a permit who finds a rough diamond must forthwith hand it in at a police station.
Hawks' spokesman Musa Zondi told the BBC the gemstones had already been sent off for "verification and authentication".
If they proved to be "blood diamonds" a "serious investigation" would be set in motion and "everyone who was involved with the diamonds" would be questioned, he said.
Allegations that the uncut gemstones were given to Ms Campbell emerged in a statement by US actress Mia Farrow, who also attended the 1997 dinner.
Ms Farrow and Ms Campbell's former agent Carole White are due to appear before the Special Court for Sierra Leone at The Hague on Monday.
Mr Taylor is accused of using illegally mined diamonds to secure weapons for Sierra Leone's RUF rebels during the 1991-2001 civil war - a charge he denies.
Prosecutors say that from his seat of power in Liberia, Mr Taylor also trained and commanded the rebels.
The rebels were notoriously brutal, frequently hacking off the hands and legs of civilians.
More Worries For Taylor’s Associates: Obama Extends Assets Freeze
Nat Nyuan Bayjay
Source: FrontPage Africa
Monrovia -
A recent presidential declaration from United States President Barack Obama calling for the extension of former President Charles Taylor’s associates’ assets freeze for another year adds to the already worrisome international restrictions being faced by certain public officials that served under the regime of the former Liberian leader.
In a July 19, 2010 letter being published in the US Federal Register and transmitted to the US Congress titled ‘Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Former Liberian Regime Of Charles Taylor’, President Obama said his action was in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) to continue the property blocking of the former President’s associates for another year.
Obama said: “I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.”
Former US President George W. Bush, Jr, on July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, declared a National Emergency and ordered related measures, including the blocking of the property of certain persons connected to former President Taylor which is said to be in pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706).
Accordingly, former President Bush took the action six years ago as a mean of dealing with what he referred to as the unusual and extraordinary threat to the US’ foreign policy constituted by the actions and policies of the former Liberian leaders and other persons.
The National Emergency stated at the time that the action in particular was intended to what was termed as Taylor and his officials’ unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.
Taylor & Others’ Actions ‘Undermine Liberia’s Transformation & Recovery’
The measures against the former Liberian officials, some who still find themselves in the current government, was expected to expire on July 24 but the new man in charge of the world’s most powerful nation thinks the measures should be kept in force because the actions and policies of Taylor and his associates left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine the post-war country’s recovery process.
Obama: “The actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine Liberia's transformation and recovery.”
In his letter, coming from his Press Secretary, Obama said: “Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the National Emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 2010. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.”
Bush’s action came a month after the UN the Security Council Committee on June 14 2004, established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia approved a list of individuals and entities subject to the measures contained in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1532 for the assets freeze catergory.
Paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1532, adopted on 12 March 2004, reads as follows: 1. Decides that, to prevent former Liberian President Charles Taylor, his immediate family members, in particular Jewell Howard Taylor and Charles Taylor, Jr., senior officials of the former Taylor regime, or other close allies or associates as designated by the Committee established by paragraph 21 of resolution 1521 (2003) (hereinafter, “the Committee”) from using misappropriated funds and property to interfere in the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia and the sub-region, all States in which there are, at the date of adoption of this resolution or at any time thereafter, funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled directly or indirectly by Charles Taylor, Jewell Howard Taylor, and Charles Taylor, Jr. and/or those other individuals designated by the Committee, including funds, other financial assets and economic resources held by entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of them or by any persons acting on their behalf or at their direction, as designated by the Committee, shall freeze without delay all such funds, other financial assets and economic resources, and shall ensure that neither these nor any other funds, other financial assets or economic resources are made available, by their nationals or by any persons within their territory, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of such persons;”
Obama’s extension further worsens the woes of Taylor’s associates who have been struggling with no success to have their names removed from a United Nations imposed travel ban.
The travel bans, imposed over five years ago, have been strangulating several associates, key among who are his wife, Bong County Jewel Howard Taylor, and Montserrado County Edwin Snowe, Jr.
Despite the lifting of an arms embargo imposed since 1999 on the post-war country during the regime of Taylor by the UN’s Security Council in the latter part of last year, the travel ban was however extended by another year.
While the UN Council stated it was lifting the embargo based on what it said was due to the country’s sustained progress made by the Government since January 2006 that was being “beneficial to all Liberians with the support of the international community”, it stated that it extended the travel ban by 12 months on the concerned persons it describes as being treat to the country’s peace process.
The latest move by Obama would cause more harm to affected individuals who have political ambition.
For instance, Senator Taylor from whom strong speculations continue to emerge that she wants to seek the vice presidential slot for one of the opposition newly formed coalition, has been vigorously campaigning to have her name removed that late saw an organized group of women in June presenting a three-page petition to the government calling for the lifting of the UN travel ban imposed on female associates of former president Charles Taylor.
In times past, several Liberians and groups have launched several campaigns and sometimes protest to have both the travel ban and assets freeze removed.
In February of 2008, several Liberians and groups launched fresh appeal to the then US President Bush to assist in lifting the travel ban and assets freeze during his visit to Liberia.
Those affected by the extension include Cyril Allen, former Chairman of Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP), Randolph Cooper, former Managing Director of Robertsfield International Airport (RIA), Adolphus Dolo, Senator of Nimba County, George Dweh, former suspended Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) and Jewel Howard-Taylor, former first lady of Liberia now Senior Senator of Bong County, Charles Bright, Former Minister of Finance, Moussa Cisse, Former Chief of Presidential Protocol, Jenkins Dunbar, Former Minister of Lands, Mines, and Energy, and George Martin, Ambassador of Liberia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Others include Myrtle Gibson, former senator and Advisor to the former Liberian President, Reginald B. Goodridge Former Minister for Culture, Information and Tourism, Gus Kouwenhoven, owner of Hotel Africa and President of the controversial Oriental Timber Company (OTC), among others.
The UN Security Committee stated that it would continue to update the list on a regular basis.
Source: FrontPage Africa
Monrovia -
A recent presidential declaration from United States President Barack Obama calling for the extension of former President Charles Taylor’s associates’ assets freeze for another year adds to the already worrisome international restrictions being faced by certain public officials that served under the regime of the former Liberian leader.
In a July 19, 2010 letter being published in the US Federal Register and transmitted to the US Congress titled ‘Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Former Liberian Regime Of Charles Taylor’, President Obama said his action was in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) to continue the property blocking of the former President’s associates for another year.
Obama said: “I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.”
Former US President George W. Bush, Jr, on July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, declared a National Emergency and ordered related measures, including the blocking of the property of certain persons connected to former President Taylor which is said to be in pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706).
Accordingly, former President Bush took the action six years ago as a mean of dealing with what he referred to as the unusual and extraordinary threat to the US’ foreign policy constituted by the actions and policies of the former Liberian leaders and other persons.
The National Emergency stated at the time that the action in particular was intended to what was termed as Taylor and his officials’ unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.
Taylor & Others’ Actions ‘Undermine Liberia’s Transformation & Recovery’
The measures against the former Liberian officials, some who still find themselves in the current government, was expected to expire on July 24 but the new man in charge of the world’s most powerful nation thinks the measures should be kept in force because the actions and policies of Taylor and his associates left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine the post-war country’s recovery process.
Obama: “The actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine Liberia's transformation and recovery.”
In his letter, coming from his Press Secretary, Obama said: “Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the National Emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 2010. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.”
Bush’s action came a month after the UN the Security Council Committee on June 14 2004, established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia approved a list of individuals and entities subject to the measures contained in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1532 for the assets freeze catergory.
Paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1532, adopted on 12 March 2004, reads as follows: 1. Decides that, to prevent former Liberian President Charles Taylor, his immediate family members, in particular Jewell Howard Taylor and Charles Taylor, Jr., senior officials of the former Taylor regime, or other close allies or associates as designated by the Committee established by paragraph 21 of resolution 1521 (2003) (hereinafter, “the Committee”) from using misappropriated funds and property to interfere in the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia and the sub-region, all States in which there are, at the date of adoption of this resolution or at any time thereafter, funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled directly or indirectly by Charles Taylor, Jewell Howard Taylor, and Charles Taylor, Jr. and/or those other individuals designated by the Committee, including funds, other financial assets and economic resources held by entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of them or by any persons acting on their behalf or at their direction, as designated by the Committee, shall freeze without delay all such funds, other financial assets and economic resources, and shall ensure that neither these nor any other funds, other financial assets or economic resources are made available, by their nationals or by any persons within their territory, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of such persons;”
Obama’s extension further worsens the woes of Taylor’s associates who have been struggling with no success to have their names removed from a United Nations imposed travel ban.
The travel bans, imposed over five years ago, have been strangulating several associates, key among who are his wife, Bong County Jewel Howard Taylor, and Montserrado County Edwin Snowe, Jr.
Despite the lifting of an arms embargo imposed since 1999 on the post-war country during the regime of Taylor by the UN’s Security Council in the latter part of last year, the travel ban was however extended by another year.
While the UN Council stated it was lifting the embargo based on what it said was due to the country’s sustained progress made by the Government since January 2006 that was being “beneficial to all Liberians with the support of the international community”, it stated that it extended the travel ban by 12 months on the concerned persons it describes as being treat to the country’s peace process.
The latest move by Obama would cause more harm to affected individuals who have political ambition.
For instance, Senator Taylor from whom strong speculations continue to emerge that she wants to seek the vice presidential slot for one of the opposition newly formed coalition, has been vigorously campaigning to have her name removed that late saw an organized group of women in June presenting a three-page petition to the government calling for the lifting of the UN travel ban imposed on female associates of former president Charles Taylor.
In times past, several Liberians and groups have launched several campaigns and sometimes protest to have both the travel ban and assets freeze removed.
In February of 2008, several Liberians and groups launched fresh appeal to the then US President Bush to assist in lifting the travel ban and assets freeze during his visit to Liberia.
Those affected by the extension include Cyril Allen, former Chairman of Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP), Randolph Cooper, former Managing Director of Robertsfield International Airport (RIA), Adolphus Dolo, Senator of Nimba County, George Dweh, former suspended Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) and Jewel Howard-Taylor, former first lady of Liberia now Senior Senator of Bong County, Charles Bright, Former Minister of Finance, Moussa Cisse, Former Chief of Presidential Protocol, Jenkins Dunbar, Former Minister of Lands, Mines, and Energy, and George Martin, Ambassador of Liberia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Others include Myrtle Gibson, former senator and Advisor to the former Liberian President, Reginald B. Goodridge Former Minister for Culture, Information and Tourism, Gus Kouwenhoven, owner of Hotel Africa and President of the controversial Oriental Timber Company (OTC), among others.
The UN Security Committee stated that it would continue to update the list on a regular basis.
Bomi Superintendent replaced, Sam Brown takes over
Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made additional appointments in government, subject, where applicable to confirmation by the Senate.
Those appointed are Sam Brown, Superintendent, Bomi County replacing Mohamed Massaley and Emmanuel Kerkula, Development Superintendent, Gbarpolu County.
The Bomi Caucus had earlier jailed outgoing Superintendent Mohamed Massaley over misplaced priority of the county development projects.
Outgoing Superintendent Massaley was also embroiled in the purchase of a controversial yellow machine which never worked up to his removal.
The Executive Mansion did not however state the exact reason for which Mr. Massaley was relieved of his post.
Also appointed are Rebecca Boakai, Acting City Mayor, Tubmanburg and Richard Fillajuah, Commissioner, Kongba District, Gbarpolu County.
President Sirleaf has also reconstituted the Board of Directors of the National Transit Authority in anticipation of the arrival of new buses from India within a month.
Josephine Francis has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the NTA while Alexander Suah and Karmo Ville were appointed members.
The Executive Mansion says they would be joined by the Statutory Members of the Board which include the Ministers of Finance and Transport.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made additional appointments in government, subject, where applicable to confirmation by the Senate.
Those appointed are Sam Brown, Superintendent, Bomi County replacing Mohamed Massaley and Emmanuel Kerkula, Development Superintendent, Gbarpolu County.
The Bomi Caucus had earlier jailed outgoing Superintendent Mohamed Massaley over misplaced priority of the county development projects.
Outgoing Superintendent Massaley was also embroiled in the purchase of a controversial yellow machine which never worked up to his removal.
The Executive Mansion did not however state the exact reason for which Mr. Massaley was relieved of his post.
Also appointed are Rebecca Boakai, Acting City Mayor, Tubmanburg and Richard Fillajuah, Commissioner, Kongba District, Gbarpolu County.
President Sirleaf has also reconstituted the Board of Directors of the National Transit Authority in anticipation of the arrival of new buses from India within a month.
Josephine Francis has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the NTA while Alexander Suah and Karmo Ville were appointed members.
The Executive Mansion says they would be joined by the Statutory Members of the Board which include the Ministers of Finance and Transport.
Firestone worker kidnapped in broad daylight
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Margibi Legislative Caucus Chairman has reported the kidnapping of a worker of the Firestone Rubber Plantation in the County.
The Chairman of the Caucus told a news conference Thursday the Firestone worker identified as James Flomo was abducted by suspected illicit rubber tappers.
Representative Saar Gbollie said the kidnapping occured Wednesday between Kpanyan town and Division 44 in Margibi.
He said the whereabouts of the abducted tapper remains unknown with a state of insecurity in the area where the abduction took place in broad daylight.
Representative Gbollie said security forces were investigating the incident.
According to him, the security forces have discovered some clothing belonging to James Flomo and that a vigorous search was ongoing.
Representative Gbollie warned such terroristic act will not be tolerated and called on those involved to stop or will be made to stop.
The Margibi Legislative Caucus Chairman called on citizens of the County to cooperate with the security forces by exposing illicit tappers and their cohorts.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Margibi Legislative Caucus Chairman has reported the kidnapping of a worker of the Firestone Rubber Plantation in the County.
The Chairman of the Caucus told a news conference Thursday the Firestone worker identified as James Flomo was abducted by suspected illicit rubber tappers.
Representative Saar Gbollie said the kidnapping occured Wednesday between Kpanyan town and Division 44 in Margibi.
He said the whereabouts of the abducted tapper remains unknown with a state of insecurity in the area where the abduction took place in broad daylight.
Representative Gbollie said security forces were investigating the incident.
According to him, the security forces have discovered some clothing belonging to James Flomo and that a vigorous search was ongoing.
Representative Gbollie warned such terroristic act will not be tolerated and called on those involved to stop or will be made to stop.
The Margibi Legislative Caucus Chairman called on citizens of the County to cooperate with the security forces by exposing illicit tappers and their cohorts.
NEC to use joint resolution for 2011 elections
Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The National Elections Commission says it would conduct the 2011 general and presidential elections in line with the joint resolution passed by the legislature.
President Johnson-Sirleaf signed who the document into law said it may not be the best but could serve as a guide for the sustenance of Liberia’s democracy.
The Commission’s Chairman, James Fromayan said NEC will have no other option but to conduct the elections once the bill is printed into hand bill.
According to Chairman Fromayan, it is not the responsibility of the commission to question the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of the bill.
Mr. Fromayan believes it is the role of political parties and other relevant institutions to question the legality or illegality of the bill and not NEC.
The National Elections Commission’s Boss however said the commission will release an official position statement on the issue shortly.
Mr. Fromayan spoke Thursday at the Special Edition of the Wilfred E. Clark Lecture Forum in Monrovia.
It was organized by the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association in collaboration with the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia.
The forum was held under the theme: Implications for the hosting of credible elections in 2011 in the absence of Threshold as provided for in the Liberian Constitution.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The National Elections Commission says it would conduct the 2011 general and presidential elections in line with the joint resolution passed by the legislature.
President Johnson-Sirleaf signed who the document into law said it may not be the best but could serve as a guide for the sustenance of Liberia’s democracy.
The Commission’s Chairman, James Fromayan said NEC will have no other option but to conduct the elections once the bill is printed into hand bill.
According to Chairman Fromayan, it is not the responsibility of the commission to question the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of the bill.
Mr. Fromayan believes it is the role of political parties and other relevant institutions to question the legality or illegality of the bill and not NEC.
The National Elections Commission’s Boss however said the commission will release an official position statement on the issue shortly.
Mr. Fromayan spoke Thursday at the Special Edition of the Wilfred E. Clark Lecture Forum in Monrovia.
It was organized by the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association in collaboration with the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia.
The forum was held under the theme: Implications for the hosting of credible elections in 2011 in the absence of Threshold as provided for in the Liberian Constitution.
Civil society finalizes code of conduct for 2011 elections
Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
About one hundred eighty Civil Society and Community-based Organizations are attending a one-day interactive forum to finalize a draft code of conduct.
The Director of Civic Education said the code of conduct will guide the groups in the delivery of civic and voter education messages for the 2011 elections.
Mr. Sam Cole told Star Radio members of the participating CSOs and CBOs will review the draft code of conduct to be adopted.
Mr. Cole said when adopted, the groups would be accountable to provisions within the code of conduct.
According to Mr. Cole, the civil society and community-based organizations will be accredited at the end of the one-day event.
Mr. Cole said the accreditation symbolizes an authority from the Commission for the groups to solicit funding from their partners in the execution of their duties.
He however warned the NEC will revoke the accreditation of organizations caught violating the code of conduct or distorting civic education messages.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
About one hundred eighty Civil Society and Community-based Organizations are attending a one-day interactive forum to finalize a draft code of conduct.
The Director of Civic Education said the code of conduct will guide the groups in the delivery of civic and voter education messages for the 2011 elections.
Mr. Sam Cole told Star Radio members of the participating CSOs and CBOs will review the draft code of conduct to be adopted.
Mr. Cole said when adopted, the groups would be accountable to provisions within the code of conduct.
According to Mr. Cole, the civil society and community-based organizations will be accredited at the end of the one-day event.
Mr. Cole said the accreditation symbolizes an authority from the Commission for the groups to solicit funding from their partners in the execution of their duties.
He however warned the NEC will revoke the accreditation of organizations caught violating the code of conduct or distorting civic education messages.
Gunmen attack Buchanan hospital
Written by Gabriel Paul
Source: Star Radio Liberia
A group of unknown men early Wednesday morning attacked the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
Our correspondent says the robbers made away with one of the two Yamaha Motorbikes belonging to the hospital.
The county’s Health Officer Dr. Saybeh Vanyanbah said the gunmen attacked the hospital by firing in the air and scared away nurses and security guards on duty.
Dr. Vanyanbah said the robbers escaped after UNMIL and Liberia National Police Officers were alerted.
He said the situation has caused panic for health workers on night shift and called on the citizens to move against armed robbers in the county.
Meanwhile, police in Grand Bassa County have launched a massive search for the armed robbers that hit the Buchanan hospital Wednesday morning.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
A group of unknown men early Wednesday morning attacked the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
Our correspondent says the robbers made away with one of the two Yamaha Motorbikes belonging to the hospital.
The county’s Health Officer Dr. Saybeh Vanyanbah said the gunmen attacked the hospital by firing in the air and scared away nurses and security guards on duty.
Dr. Vanyanbah said the robbers escaped after UNMIL and Liberia National Police Officers were alerted.
He said the situation has caused panic for health workers on night shift and called on the citizens to move against armed robbers in the county.
Meanwhile, police in Grand Bassa County have launched a massive search for the armed robbers that hit the Buchanan hospital Wednesday morning.
PUL condemns New Democrat’s nude publication
Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Press Union of Liberia has issued a statement condemning the Thursday August 5th publication of the New Democrat Newspaper.
The condemnation followed the publication of a naked picture of the British supermodel Naomi Campbell on the front page of the paper.
The Union described the publication as distasteful and a betrayal of the public’s trust.
Article Eleven of the PUL’s code of conduct states that: photographs should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight an event out of context.
In the case of the New Democrat publication, the PUL believes Naomi Campbell’s picture was a contradiction of the story and therefore misleading.
Meanwhile, the Publisher of the New Democrat Newspaper Tom Kamara has admitted that the publication was what he calls an error of judgment.
Mr. Kamara and editors who faced the PUL’s Grievance and Ethics committee Thursday, apologized to the public and promised to do an erratum.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Press Union of Liberia has issued a statement condemning the Thursday August 5th publication of the New Democrat Newspaper.
The condemnation followed the publication of a naked picture of the British supermodel Naomi Campbell on the front page of the paper.
The Union described the publication as distasteful and a betrayal of the public’s trust.
Article Eleven of the PUL’s code of conduct states that: photographs should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight an event out of context.
In the case of the New Democrat publication, the PUL believes Naomi Campbell’s picture was a contradiction of the story and therefore misleading.
Meanwhile, the Publisher of the New Democrat Newspaper Tom Kamara has admitted that the publication was what he calls an error of judgment.
Mr. Kamara and editors who faced the PUL’s Grievance and Ethics committee Thursday, apologized to the public and promised to do an erratum.
Senate orders New Democrat Newspaper to appear
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Senate has summoned the Publisher of the New Democrat Newspaper and his co-workers in connection with the publication of a nude picture.
The Senate took the decision Thursday after verbal complaint over the paper’s August 5th publication.
The New Democrat’s publication carried a naked photo of what appears to be British Supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The paper published the story amidst Thursday’s testimony of Madam Campbell in the ongoing war crimes trial of former President Charles Taylor in The Hague.
Senate Pro Temp Cletus Wotorson brought the publication to the attention of the Senate, describing it as unacceptable.
Pro Temp Wotorson said while he encourages free press, it sends a bad image for the Country for womanhood to be disgraced by a newspaper.
The Senate did not say when the New Democrat authorities should appear before its Information and Broadcasting Committee for questioning.
Meanwhile, the Senate has accepted a request by three civil groups summoned by the body.
The three groups which were to appear Thursday are now due to meet the Senate on August 12.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Senate has summoned the Publisher of the New Democrat Newspaper and his co-workers in connection with the publication of a nude picture.
The Senate took the decision Thursday after verbal complaint over the paper’s August 5th publication.
The New Democrat’s publication carried a naked photo of what appears to be British Supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The paper published the story amidst Thursday’s testimony of Madam Campbell in the ongoing war crimes trial of former President Charles Taylor in The Hague.
Senate Pro Temp Cletus Wotorson brought the publication to the attention of the Senate, describing it as unacceptable.
Pro Temp Wotorson said while he encourages free press, it sends a bad image for the Country for womanhood to be disgraced by a newspaper.
The Senate did not say when the New Democrat authorities should appear before its Information and Broadcasting Committee for questioning.
Meanwhile, the Senate has accepted a request by three civil groups summoned by the body.
The three groups which were to appear Thursday are now due to meet the Senate on August 12.
President Sirleaf freezes County Development Fund
Written by Robert J. Clarke, Jr.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered a freeze on the accounts of the county development fund of all counties.
Information Minister Cletus Sieh told a news conference the freeze will remain enforced until deem otherwise by the President.
Minister Sieh said President Sirleaf took the decision based on a request by the General Auditing Commission.
The GAC wants the CDF accounts closed to enable it comprehensively carry out audits of all the accounts.
The Information Minister clarified, ongoing projects will still be carried out but through what he called a special procedure put in place.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered a freeze on the accounts of the county development fund of all counties.
Information Minister Cletus Sieh told a news conference the freeze will remain enforced until deem otherwise by the President.
Minister Sieh said President Sirleaf took the decision based on a request by the General Auditing Commission.
The GAC wants the CDF accounts closed to enable it comprehensively carry out audits of all the accounts.
The Information Minister clarified, ongoing projects will still be carried out but through what he called a special procedure put in place.
House orders investigation into luxurious vehicles
Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the purchase of highly-priced luxurious vehicles by government Ministries and agencies.
The investigation was triggered by a letter from Nimba District six and Unity Party Representative Evans Koah.
Representative Koah wrote the House drawing its attention to what he considers the misapplication of government’s scarce resources by Ministries and agencies.
In the letter, lawmaker Koah wonders whether a government official has justification to buy a vehicle costing 90 to 100 thousand US dollars for use.
He directly linked his concern to government Ministers, Managing Directors, Chairman of Commissions, Deputy and Assistant Ministers.
Representative Koah argued the purchases of these highly priced luxurious vehicles are made in the face of other vehicles that could be bought for 35 to 40 thousand US dollars.
He called for the institution of a budget law to guide against the purchase of highly-priced luxurious vehicles by government Ministries and agencies.
Lawmaker Koah said the measure would lead to the purchase of additional vehicles for staffers, reduce poverty and create additional employment.
The letter was overwhelmingly supported by members of the House with a mandate for the Finance Committee to look into the situation.
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the purchase of highly-priced luxurious vehicles by government Ministries and agencies.
The investigation was triggered by a letter from Nimba District six and Unity Party Representative Evans Koah.
Representative Koah wrote the House drawing its attention to what he considers the misapplication of government’s scarce resources by Ministries and agencies.
In the letter, lawmaker Koah wonders whether a government official has justification to buy a vehicle costing 90 to 100 thousand US dollars for use.
He directly linked his concern to government Ministers, Managing Directors, Chairman of Commissions, Deputy and Assistant Ministers.
Representative Koah argued the purchases of these highly priced luxurious vehicles are made in the face of other vehicles that could be bought for 35 to 40 thousand US dollars.
He called for the institution of a budget law to guide against the purchase of highly-priced luxurious vehicles by government Ministries and agencies.
Lawmaker Koah said the measure would lead to the purchase of additional vehicles for staffers, reduce poverty and create additional employment.
The letter was overwhelmingly supported by members of the House with a mandate for the Finance Committee to look into the situation.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Campbell testimony shines light on blood diamonds and the importance of international justice
Press Release
Source: Global Witness
The role of natural resources in funding conflict will be highlighted by the testimony of supermodel Naomi Campbell at the trial of former warlord and President of Liberia Charles Taylor in the Hague tomorrow (August 5), said campaign group Global Witness. Taylor is charged with war crimes committed in Sierra Leone including murder, rape and use of child soldiers, but has yet to face justice for crimes committed in neighbouring Liberia. The event offers a valuable reminder of the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Campbell has been called to testify by the prosecution, having allegedly accepted a diamond as a gift from Taylor in 1997. There is no suggestion that Campbell knew the possible origin of the diamond. Global Witness was among the first to expose how the warlord Taylor used funds from the sales of illegal diamonds and timber to pay for his brutal campaign in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which saw hundreds of thousands killed and many more assaulted, raped, displaced and tortured.
“Ms Campbell's testimony reminds us of the damage that can be done by power-hungry individuals who illegally exploit their country's natural resource wealth to wage campaigns of violence and brutality against civilians. The Taylor trial is an important moment in the history of international justice, when the survivors of his regime may finally see some reparation,” said Oliver Courtney, Global Witness spokesperson.
Global Witness investigations into civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia first uncovered the role of diamonds in funding conflict, and the organisation was co-nominated for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. Its campaigning triggered a concerted international effort to address the issue, resulting in the founding of the government-led Kimberley Process (KP) rough diamond certification scheme in 2003. This international system brings together national governments, civil society and the diamond industry in an attempt to eradicate blood diamonds from the international trade.
Ms Campbell's testimony is timely because it draws fresh attention to the problems which still plague the international diamond trade, and the weaknesses they have exposed in the functioning of the Kimberley Process. Three years ago, one of the largest diamond finds in history was uncovered in eastern Zimbabwe’s Marange area. This triggered a diamond rush by destitute citizens, swiftly followed by a savage government crackdown, as Zimbabwe’s military-political elite sought to gain control of the country’s new-found diamond wealth.
Once again, diamond wealth is propping up a system of violence, abuse and illicit activity with horrendous consequences for a civilian population that should be benefitting from its country’s natural resources. Global Witness has repeatedly called for the Kimberley Process to take decisive action on the case of Zimbabwe – but so far the KP has not shown the political will necessary to address the crisis in the country’s diamond sector seriously.
“Global Witness first highlighted the scourge of blood diamonds 12 years ago, and yet the trade is still funding violence and abuse,” said Courtney. “This is a damning indictment of the promises made by KP member governments and the diamond industry to stamp out blood diamonds once and for all.”
Contacts:
The Hague: Oliver Courtney, +447815 731889 ocourtney@globalwitness.org
London: Elly Harrowell, +44 207 492 5888 +44 7703 108 401 or Annie Dunnebacke, +44 207 492 5897, +44 7912 517127 adunnebacke@globalwitness.org
Source: Global Witness
The role of natural resources in funding conflict will be highlighted by the testimony of supermodel Naomi Campbell at the trial of former warlord and President of Liberia Charles Taylor in the Hague tomorrow (August 5), said campaign group Global Witness. Taylor is charged with war crimes committed in Sierra Leone including murder, rape and use of child soldiers, but has yet to face justice for crimes committed in neighbouring Liberia. The event offers a valuable reminder of the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Campbell has been called to testify by the prosecution, having allegedly accepted a diamond as a gift from Taylor in 1997. There is no suggestion that Campbell knew the possible origin of the diamond. Global Witness was among the first to expose how the warlord Taylor used funds from the sales of illegal diamonds and timber to pay for his brutal campaign in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which saw hundreds of thousands killed and many more assaulted, raped, displaced and tortured.
“Ms Campbell's testimony reminds us of the damage that can be done by power-hungry individuals who illegally exploit their country's natural resource wealth to wage campaigns of violence and brutality against civilians. The Taylor trial is an important moment in the history of international justice, when the survivors of his regime may finally see some reparation,” said Oliver Courtney, Global Witness spokesperson.
Global Witness investigations into civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia first uncovered the role of diamonds in funding conflict, and the organisation was co-nominated for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. Its campaigning triggered a concerted international effort to address the issue, resulting in the founding of the government-led Kimberley Process (KP) rough diamond certification scheme in 2003. This international system brings together national governments, civil society and the diamond industry in an attempt to eradicate blood diamonds from the international trade.
Ms Campbell's testimony is timely because it draws fresh attention to the problems which still plague the international diamond trade, and the weaknesses they have exposed in the functioning of the Kimberley Process. Three years ago, one of the largest diamond finds in history was uncovered in eastern Zimbabwe’s Marange area. This triggered a diamond rush by destitute citizens, swiftly followed by a savage government crackdown, as Zimbabwe’s military-political elite sought to gain control of the country’s new-found diamond wealth.
Once again, diamond wealth is propping up a system of violence, abuse and illicit activity with horrendous consequences for a civilian population that should be benefitting from its country’s natural resources. Global Witness has repeatedly called for the Kimberley Process to take decisive action on the case of Zimbabwe – but so far the KP has not shown the political will necessary to address the crisis in the country’s diamond sector seriously.
“Global Witness first highlighted the scourge of blood diamonds 12 years ago, and yet the trade is still funding violence and abuse,” said Courtney. “This is a damning indictment of the promises made by KP member governments and the diamond industry to stamp out blood diamonds once and for all.”
Contacts:
The Hague: Oliver Courtney, +447815 731889 ocourtney@globalwitness.org
London: Elly Harrowell, +44 207 492 5888 +44 7703 108 401 or Annie Dunnebacke, +44 207 492 5897, +44 7912 517127 adunnebacke@globalwitness.org
ELECTION 2011: THE BATTLE OF GOOD VERSUS EVIL
By T. Q. Harris, Jr.
Election 2011 is more than an exercise in Democracy; rather, for the vast majority of Liberians, it is a desperate struggle for survival…an all-out Battle between the forces of good and evil! It’s a fight for the heart and soul of a nation! This is a defining moment! Therefore no true son or daughter of the soil can afford to stand idly by and watch.
So egregious were the crimes perpetrated by the warlords and their co-conspirators that the mention of their names even now strikes fear in the hearts of many Liberians. Knowing this, they continue to threaten and intimidate the larger population. This is why Liberians are eagerly looking forward to the 2011 election. It offers the best opportunity to create a Tribunal that will hold accountable persons bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity which will lay the foundation for Rule of Law and Accountability. Moreover, through free and fair election, Liberians will have a shot at changing their fortunes peacefully and putting an end to impunity.
Most of the killings were carried out by children as young as 5 who were given drugs, guns and ammunition and turned loose on the population. Now they have become young adults but have yet to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. The future of this generation of Liberians has been destroyed by individuals driven by greed, selfishness and blind ambition. There is no doubt the effects of this calamity will linger for decades.
This is an example of how those who have broken the law, dehumanized the population, and wrecked the entire infrastructure are currently holding Liberia hostage: Following cessation of hostilities in 2003 the idea of a truth commission was proposed by Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and others as a critical first step toward national healing and lasting peace. Not long following her inauguration as the president, Madam Sirleaf established the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). International resources, including veteran expertise were mobilized to assist the Commission’s work. Approximately US$10 Million (Ten Million United Stated Dollars) was invested in an elaborate undertaking to determine the best way forward. The process concluded 4 years later with a comprehensive report which contains sweeping recommendations. (TRC Final Report: https://www.trcofliberia.org/reports/final)
However, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, THE IRON LADY, has rejected the TRC report and refused to implement the recommendations. She is unwilling to discuss the atrocities but has instead used the report as a wedge to further divide the Liberian people. Why? Because the Truth Commission has recommended that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf not hold public office for a period of thirty (30) years, due to evidence related to her direct involvement in the carnage that killed and maimed more than 300,000 men, women and children, including 5 American Nuns.
But it is obvious Madam Sirleaf has no intention of acknowledging her role in the disaster, nor will she implement the TRC's recommendations without being forced to do so. Last January she launched her reelection campaign while addressing the National Legislature. “I will be a formidable candidate,” she declared. The President is even willing to provide cover for persons who have committed unspeakable atrocities if that will keep her in power. Impunity has yet again trumped accountability. This no doubt is dangerous!
The President’s behavior is a clear indication of how difficult - if not impossible – it is to restore normalcy in post-war Liberia under the leadership of persons who are connected in any way to the senseless destruction of lives and properties during the 15-year war. Faced with limited options Liberians have opted for election, believing it offers the best remedy. Should this fail to produce the desired results, the alternative is obvious.
In conclusion, reelecting Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the Presidency would be an endorsement of the status quo and a return to business as usual. Her government has failed the Liberian people! After five years of governance, graced by massive international support and goodwill, the Sirleaf administration has yet to produce a clear national agenda. The population is mired in hopelessness and despair. Chaos and lawlessness aptly describe the current order of business, as corruption spins out of control. Oftentimes one has to wonder if anyone is in charge. The legal system currently is in total disarray. Those who planned, financed and executed the 15-year carnage have not yet been brought to justice, and there is no plan to heal the nation. U.N. travel ban and assets freeze have yet to be enforced. Furthermore, persons guilty of rape and torture continue to elude justice; their victims have no redress. The issue of land dispute presents a clear and present danger. A large percentage of the population survives exclusively on remittances from abroad. Unemployment poses a serious threat to national security. Liberians in the thousands go to bed most nights hungry. There is increasing restlessness across the nation. And the presence of U.N. Troops gives a false sense of security.
It is time for a change! It is time for a fresh new start!! Surely it’s time for visionary leadership!!!
_______________________________________________________________________________The Author: T. Q. Harris, Jr. is a member of the Free Democratic Party (of Liberia). He is expected to be a Presidential candidate in the 2011 Election. Mr. Harris in 1997 was the Vice Presidential nominee of his Party. He’s currently the Chairman of Liberian Contemp UPS. For more information: http://www.tqharrisforpresident.com/; http://www.friendsoftq.org/; liberia1@charter.net; and Phone: (562) 216-3177
Election 2011 is more than an exercise in Democracy; rather, for the vast majority of Liberians, it is a desperate struggle for survival…an all-out Battle between the forces of good and evil! It’s a fight for the heart and soul of a nation! This is a defining moment! Therefore no true son or daughter of the soil can afford to stand idly by and watch.  |
| Liberia - West Africa |
In a deadly attack on the Liberian population of 3.5 million by so-called liberators, not less than 200,000 men, women and children were massacred. Thousands more maimed and psychologically damaged. Countless numbers of women were violently raped and abused as sex slaves. And there are those who were tortured, beaten and permanently scared.
 |
| Liberia civil war - over 200,000 people were killed |
The brutal 15-year war forced more than a million people from their homes. Tens of thousands fled for their lives into refugee camps throughout West Africa and beyond. Many today are still living in horrible conditions afraid to return because the people responsible for the deaths of their loved ones are now ruling the country. And the deafening silence on the part of the international community regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Liberia has given cause for concern.
So egregious were the crimes perpetrated by the warlords and their co-conspirators that the mention of their names even now strikes fear in the hearts of many Liberians. Knowing this, they continue to threaten and intimidate the larger population. This is why Liberians are eagerly looking forward to the 2011 election. It offers the best opportunity to create a Tribunal that will hold accountable persons bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity which will lay the foundation for Rule of Law and Accountability. Moreover, through free and fair election, Liberians will have a shot at changing their fortunes peacefully and putting an end to impunity.
Most of the killings were carried out by children as young as 5 who were given drugs, guns and ammunition and turned loose on the population. Now they have become young adults but have yet to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. The future of this generation of Liberians has been destroyed by individuals driven by greed, selfishness and blind ambition. There is no doubt the effects of this calamity will linger for decades.
This is an example of how those who have broken the law, dehumanized the population, and wrecked the entire infrastructure are currently holding Liberia hostage: Following cessation of hostilities in 2003 the idea of a truth commission was proposed by Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and others as a critical first step toward national healing and lasting peace. Not long following her inauguration as the president, Madam Sirleaf established the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). International resources, including veteran expertise were mobilized to assist the Commission’s work. Approximately US$10 Million (Ten Million United Stated Dollars) was invested in an elaborate undertaking to determine the best way forward. The process concluded 4 years later with a comprehensive report which contains sweeping recommendations. (TRC Final Report: https://www.trcofliberia.org/reports/final)
However, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, THE IRON LADY, has rejected the TRC report and refused to implement the recommendations. She is unwilling to discuss the atrocities but has instead used the report as a wedge to further divide the Liberian people. Why? Because the Truth Commission has recommended that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf not hold public office for a period of thirty (30) years, due to evidence related to her direct involvement in the carnage that killed and maimed more than 300,000 men, women and children, including 5 American Nuns.
But it is obvious Madam Sirleaf has no intention of acknowledging her role in the disaster, nor will she implement the TRC's recommendations without being forced to do so. Last January she launched her reelection campaign while addressing the National Legislature. “I will be a formidable candidate,” she declared. The President is even willing to provide cover for persons who have committed unspeakable atrocities if that will keep her in power. Impunity has yet again trumped accountability. This no doubt is dangerous!
The President’s behavior is a clear indication of how difficult - if not impossible – it is to restore normalcy in post-war Liberia under the leadership of persons who are connected in any way to the senseless destruction of lives and properties during the 15-year war. Faced with limited options Liberians have opted for election, believing it offers the best remedy. Should this fail to produce the desired results, the alternative is obvious.
In conclusion, reelecting Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the Presidency would be an endorsement of the status quo and a return to business as usual. Her government has failed the Liberian people! After five years of governance, graced by massive international support and goodwill, the Sirleaf administration has yet to produce a clear national agenda. The population is mired in hopelessness and despair. Chaos and lawlessness aptly describe the current order of business, as corruption spins out of control. Oftentimes one has to wonder if anyone is in charge. The legal system currently is in total disarray. Those who planned, financed and executed the 15-year carnage have not yet been brought to justice, and there is no plan to heal the nation. U.N. travel ban and assets freeze have yet to be enforced. Furthermore, persons guilty of rape and torture continue to elude justice; their victims have no redress. The issue of land dispute presents a clear and present danger. A large percentage of the population survives exclusively on remittances from abroad. Unemployment poses a serious threat to national security. Liberians in the thousands go to bed most nights hungry. There is increasing restlessness across the nation. And the presence of U.N. Troops gives a false sense of security.
It is time for a change! It is time for a fresh new start!! Surely it’s time for visionary leadership!!!
_______________________________________________________________________________The Author: T. Q. Harris, Jr. is a member of the Free Democratic Party (of Liberia). He is expected to be a Presidential candidate in the 2011 Election. Mr. Harris in 1997 was the Vice Presidential nominee of his Party. He’s currently the Chairman of Liberian Contemp UPS. For more information: http://www.tqharrisforpresident.com/; http://www.friendsoftq.org/; liberia1@charter.net; and Phone: (562) 216-3177
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