Liberia's truth panel recommends banning Sirleaf from office

UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary 06 July 2009
Source: AFP World News / English Date: July 06, 2009

MONROVIA, July 6, 2009 (AFP) - Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended Monday that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf be banned from holding public office for 30 years because of her alleged role in a civil war. In its final report, the panel investigating Liberia's successive 1989-2003 civil wars included Sirleaf's name in a list of people it accused of being "the financiers and political leaders of the different warring factions." "They (those named) should be banned from occupying public office for 30 years beginning the day of the passage of the report at the parliament," the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended. On the list, seen by AFP, the name of Sirleaf, who was elected in 2005, was present along with those of several members of her government, including Transport Minister Jackson Doe, the elder brother of former president Samuel Doe. In a hearing before the commission in February, Sirleaf denied ever being a member of the movement led by rebel leader and warlord Charles Taylor, who was president of the West African country between 1997 and 2003.
Prosecutors: former Liberian President Charles Taylor's list of defence witnesses is excessive
Source: Canadian Press Date: July 06, 2009
THE HAGUE, Netherlands _ The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor could take up to four more years, if his lawyers call all their witnesses, prosecutors told judges Monday at a Sierra Leone war crimes tribunal sitting in The Hague. Taylor is due to begin his defence case next week answering 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone. Taylor will take the stand in his own defence on July 14, a day after his lawyers present their opening statement. Prosecution trial lawyer Brenda Hollis said at a hearing Monday that Taylor's lawyers have lined up an "excessive" list of 256 potential witnesses. However, the defence lawyers are not expected to call all the witnesses on their list to testify. Taylor's lead attorney, Courtenay Griffiths, pointed out that prosecutors listed some 200 witnesses and called 91. Griffiths told judges he has "no intention of being here another four years." Taylor is accused of arming and controlling militias from across the border in Liberia, where he held power from 1997 until he was forced into exile in 2003.

International Clips on West Africa
Ivory Coast's SIFCA seeks to double palm oil output
ABIDJAN, July 6 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's SIFCA group will double its annual palm oil output to 500,000 tonnes over the next three years with technical and financial investment from Singapore's Wilmar International, SIFCA said. It said that the increased output and the SIFCA group's purchase of its own ship to improve regional deliveries should help reduce the reliance on Asian imports while also easing a deepening shortfall in palm oil across West Africa. 'With this project, palm oil production from Palmci (a part of the SIFCA group) will increase from 250,000 tonnes to 500,000,' Palmci Managing Director Angora Tano told Reuters at the weekend. 'Wilmar will bring its techniques and experience in boosting production from plantations and reducing factory and refining costs to make the finished product more competitive for a growing market,' Tano said.
Local Media – Newspaper
Pro-War Crimes Court Group Wants Sirleaf, Others Resign
(The Inquirer, The Monitor, Public Agenda, Plain Truth, The News)

· A pro-war crimes court group, Forum for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court for Liberia (FORUM) has called for the resignation of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and others listed in the TRC final report.
· The Forum’s National Chairman, Mulbah Morlu believes the resignation will pave the way for proper investigation.
· The Group earlier endorsed the TRC final report, describing it as the best means for moving Liberia forward.
· According to the group, the collective merits of the Commission’s findings outweigh its misgivings about some of the recommendations.
· The group however disagreed with the granting of amnesty to people it considers active combatants who committed heinous crimes.
· The group pledged to advocate for the prosecution of active combatants who were given amnesty.
· Meanwhile, the Plain Truth reports that in a “survey” conducted by the paper, citizens say the President has lost the moral authority to govern and requested her immediate resignation.

TRC Commissioner Gives Dissenting Opinion over Recommendations
(Liberian Express, New Vision)

· A crack has seemingly emerged in the final verdict of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) with a dissenting opinion of one of its Commissioners.
· Commissioner Pearl Brown-Bull disagreed with the final report and declined to sign it claiming criminal prosecution and debarment as recommended runs contrary to the Liberian constitution and other legal instruments.
· She cited among other things an Act enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in 2003 granted immunity from both civil and criminal proceedings against all persons within the jurisdiction of Liberia from act or crimes committed during the civil war from December 1989 to August 2003.
· Meanwhile, the TRC’s Information Officer said that there’s nowhere in the TRC guidelines that all commissioners have to sign before a report becomes final.


Coalition of Civil Society Group Wants Legislature Reject TRC Report
(The Monitor)

· A consortium of civil society grouping, the Coalition for Peace and Tranquility in Liberia has called on the Legislature to reject the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) final report.
· The group in a statement described the TRC report as a political document targeted at rivals.
· The coalition said the consistent division among TRC Commissioners amounts to waste of tax payers’ money.
· They said the report will further divide the people of Liberia instead of helping to bring genuine healing and reconciliation.

ICTJ says TRC Report Vital But Not Last Step
(Liberian Express, The Inquirer)

· The International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) provides a necessary foundation for Liberians to debate their past and address present and future need.
· In a statement, the ICTJ’s President Alex Boraine said the report was a necessary step but there was a need for additional measures to deal with Liberia’s difficult past.
· The ICTJ said an Independent National Commission on Human Rights, responsible for ensuring follow-up to the TRC's work, must also be properly organized and given the necessary authority.
· The International Centre for Transitional Justice assists countries pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse and has been working in Liberia since 2004 to support actors engaging in transitional justice efforts.

Consortium of Political Parties Frown at Delays to Enact Electoral Bills
(Liberian Express)

· A consortium of ten political parties in Liberia has expressed reservation over what they call the consistently failure and delay of the Legislature to enact the electoral bill ahead of the 2011 Presidential and General elections.
· In a statement, the parties made reference to the decision of the Senate to send back to the House of Representatives the Threshold Bill to additionally ensure that no county has less than two seats.

AU Summit Ends As Leaders Discuss Formation of Unity Government
(Heritage, New Vision, Liberian Express)

· The 13th ordinary session of the African Union has ended in Libya with a resolution to implement the Maputo declaration.
· The declaration called for the ten percent of the national budget of each member state to be allocated for Agriculture production. Leaders of the summit agreed to implement the decision.
· Meanwhile, the AU leaders have proposed the introduction of an African Union Authority to replace the African Union.
· The Authority, if approved, will provide for a President, Vice President and Secretaries, to coordinate affairs within Africa in a united manner.

Government Accuses UNMIL Of Drugs Trafficking
(Plain Truth)

· [SIC] Confidence between the Liberian Government and the United Nations Mission in Liberia appears to be sustaining manifold bruises with the former accusing the latter of drugs trafficking.
· The accusation comes in the aftermath of the use of over US$500,000 confiscated from a Nigerian businessman by government in 2006.
· The allegations are purported contained in an official Government statement forwarded to the House of Representatives committee set up to probe the matter.
· In the statement, The National Security Advisor, Dr. Boimah Fahnbulleh defended Government use of the money claiming that the alleged drugs found on the Nigerian at the time was stolen by an UNMIL Officer insinuating that there was a collusion between the officer and the businessman .

International Partners Support Bureau Of Immigration
(Daily Observer)

· The restructuring of the Liberian security sector has touched the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) with a flurry of international assistance in terms of capacity-building, equipment and other support.
· In a statement, the Commissioner of the BIN, Chris Massaquoi, said negotiations with partners aimed at “strengthening institutional capacity and tackling global migratory issues, particularly within the sub-region” culminated in support from the Dutch, French, American and the German Governments.

ICRC Dedicates Over US$15,000 Water Kiosk in Monrovia Suburb
(The Monitor, Daily Observer)

· The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has dedicated a water tower in the Crab Hole community in Duala outside Monrovia.
· Speaking at a brief hand-over ceremony, the Managing Director of the LWSC, Humbu Tulay, said the facility constructed at a cost of US$15,400 was done with support from the ICRC which decided to initiate a viable water project for residents in the area.
· The project was implemented by a Liberian construction company, Humbu Enterprises, under the supervision of Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).

Local Media – Star Radio (culled from website today at 09:00 am)
President Sirleaf Not Embarrassed By TRC Report
· The Executive Mansion says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is going through the TRC report and would comment appropriately.
· Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said the president had been in Libya attending the AU summit and is yet to fully read the report.
· President Sirleaf is among people listed by the TRC to be banned from public office for thirty years.
· At the same time, Mr. Badio says the President is not embarrassed by the inclusion of her name in the report.
· On calls for the President to resign, he said the Executive Mansion will not dignify the call and cautioned people that the ban remains a recommendation.

Pro-War Crimes Court Group Wants Sirleaf, Others Resign
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Coalition of Civil Society Group Wants Legislature Reject TRC Report
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

LNP Training Academy Suspends Use of Firing Range
· The National Police Training Academy says it has suspended the use of its firing range.
· In an interview, Police Training Commandant James Hallowanger said the decision followed the digging of dirt from around the range by residents.
· Commissioner Hallowanger said the act was unsafe and would delay the training of officers of the Emergency Response Unit when it comes to the use of firearms.
· The Police Training Commandant disclosed the academy is also facing a serious land crisis saying people encroaching on the 100-acre of land given the Academy by the late J. C. N. Howard.
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

AU Summit Ends As Leaders Discuss Formation of Unity Government

Truth F.M. (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
Consortium of Political Parties Frown at Delays to Enact Electoral Bills
****

Liberia commission recommends warlord prosecution

UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary 03 July 2009
Source: AP Online Regional - Africa Date: July 02, 2009

MONROVIA, Liberia_Liberia's truth and reconciliation commission recommended Thursday that ex-President Charles Taylor and seven other former warlords be prosecuted for crimes against humanity for their alleged roles in the West African country's civil war. The commission now will submit its recommendations to the country's legislature for consideration. It is not clear when it would start dealing with recommendations contained in the report. Liberia's back-to-back wars, which lasted from 1989 to 2003, sparked vicious factional fighting that killed an estimated 250,000 and displaced millions. Taylor, who launched the 1989 invasion, is on trial at The Hague, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in neighboring Sierra Leone. The Liberian commission recommended that he and seven other former warlords be prosecuted for offenses including "human rights violations, violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights laws, war crimes, egregious domestic economic crimes," the report said. Among those recommended for prosecution was Prince Johnson, a former rebel leader who won a landslide victory in the 2005 postwar election and is now a sitting senator.

Student finds determination to succeed
Source: McClatchy-Tribune Information Services Date: July 03, 2009
Jul. 3--Bernardine Okyne has come to Coastal Georgia all the way from war-torn Liberia thanks to her lifelong dreams and her steadfast determination. She is now a student at the Brunswick Job Corps, and while it may seem like she's a long way from home, she has made Brunswick her home and the people at Job Corps her second family. "They make you feel at home," she said, "They show you love and care and support." Okyne, 23, was born in Liberia, but fled to Ghana with her family when she was 6 years old to escape the Liberian Civil War. She now carries herself with the kind of confidence and strength of someone born to succeed. "Whatever happens in life happens for a reason. Never regret," Okyne said. She wants to be a neurosurgeon, and she has a firm path planned to take her there. Her dream of being a doctor developed naturally for her as a child growing up in Africa. "I'd see people in Africa, and if they had a brain tumor I would think, 'I wish I was a doctor so I could help them,'" she said. "I want to save lives and prevent suffering."

International Clips on West Africa
Sekou Conneh Is Treated As A Guinean
Jul 03, 2009 (All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Reacting to public outcries relative to the reticence of the Liberian Government on the detention of Sekou Conneh in Guinea, former leader of one of the warring factions in Liberia, Information Minister Dr. Laurence Bropleh has set the record straight, saying that the detained Conneh is being treated as Guinean national and not a Liberian citizen. Saying that the Government of Liberia was concerned about his condition, he indicated that they (government) cannot do much because the former warlord is prominent citizen of Guinea. Apart from saying that he is a Guinean national, the Information Minister in the same vein noted that the Liberian government has not received any formal communication from the military government of Guinea, neither Ambassador E. Sumo Jones who follows the activities of all Liberians in that country.
Local Media – Newspaper
TRC Recommends President Sirleaf, Others Be Barred From Public Office for 30 Years
(Daily Observer, Liberian Express, Heritage, The News, The Inquirer, The Informer, New Vision, New Democrat, The Analyst, National Chronicle, The Independent, The Parrot)

· The Truth and Reconciliation Communication has finally released the listing of people recommended for prosecution and public sanction.
· Those recommended for prosecution include former President Charles Taylor of the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) Prince Johnson of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) and Alhaji Kromah of United Liberation Movement for Liberia (ULIMO) K.
· Others are George Boley of Liberia Peace Council (LPC), Thomas Yaya Nimely of Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), and Sekou Damante Konneh of Liberia United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).
· The TRC also recommended that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Senator Isaac Nyenabo, Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, Toga McIntosh Gayewea and Joe Gbala among others to be barred from holding public office for 30 years.
· The Truth Commission named Lewis Brown, Oscar Cooper, Coocoo Dennis, Cora Peabody, Emmanuel Shaw and Edwin Snowe as those who committed economic crimes.
· Former Maritime Commissioner under Taylor, Mr. Benoni Urey, Charles Taylor, Lonestar Communications, Firestone Corporation are also among people and institutions accused of committing economic crimes.
· Under its further investigation column, the TRC wants Daniel Chea, Peter Coleman, Cyril Allen, Siaka Sherif and others to be further investigated.

Senate Finally Passes “Controversial” Population Threshold Bill
(Daily Observer, The Informer, New Vision, The Parrot, The News, The Analyst, Heritage)

· The Senate has finally passed into law a compromise version of the controversial population threshold bill
· The Senate passed the bill at 40,000 provided no County has less than two representations in the House of Representatives.
· The passage of the threshold bill came as a result of over five hours of closed doors discussions by the Senate.
· A conference committee would now be set up to harmonize the two versions of the threshold bill passed by the both Houses.
· The House of Representative earlier passed the bill at 40,000 without a condition.

US Funds Renovation of Harper City Hall
(The Informer)

· Maryland County authorities have turned over the Harper City Hall to the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) for rehabilitation and construction works.
· The renovation which is expected to last for four months has already been sub-contracted to GILGAL, a local construction firm, to implement the rehabilitation and construction of the hall.
· During programs marking the turn over of the hall, LCIP’s representative, Heather Robertson said LCIP has rehabilitated nine administrative buildings in the country, and the project in Harper will raise the number to 10.
· She said administrative buildings in five other counties have been worked on by the United Nations.
· The renovation of the Harper City Hall is being done with funding from the United States Government.

New Transport Fares Released -Violators To Face The Law
(Heritage,The Informer)

· After months of confrontation between commuters and commercial vehicle drivers, the Government of Liberia has finally released new transport fares for Monrovia and its environs.
· Announcing the new transport fares at the joint news conference hosted by the Ministries of Commerce and Transport, Commerce, Minister Miata Beysolow said the new fare structure is due to the increase in the price of petroleum products especially gasoline.
· A gallon of gasoline is now being sold at a retail price of 230 Liberian dollars.
· In the new fare structure, from Central Monrovia to Paynesville Red-light is 45 Liberian dollars in taxi cab while from Monrovia to Oldroad is now 30 dollars.
· Acting Transport Minister Julius Caesar said the decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce and Transport Unions.
· He said inspectors would be deployed to monitor adherence and warned, serious measures await violators.

Local Media – Star Radio (culled from website today at 09:00 am)
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Senate Finally Passes “Controversial” Population Threshold Bill
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Finance Minister on Liberia’s Fiscal Status
· Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan says Liberia is in a tight financial situation and that the country’s policy of cash based balanced budget was limiting expectations for spending in key sectors.
· According to the Finance Minister, Liberia has revised expectations in terms of Gross Domestic Products and export growth.
· Minister Ngafuan said while other countries have the abilities to borrow, Liberia is constrained to cut back during this period of the global economic slowdown.
· Minister Ngafuan said this was hindering development and key poverty reduction deliverables.

Governance Holds Retreat on Draft National Policy on Decentralization
· The Governance Commission today held a one day decentralization retreat for the House and Senate Committees on Governance.
· According to a statement, the retreat will explain key issues within the draft National Policy on Decentralization and local Governance.
· The statement said awareness on the draft decentralization policy will build consensus on the way forward.
· The policy came out of nearly three-year of nationwide consultations by the Governance Commission, key Government Ministries and Partners.
· The passage into law of the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance will eventually lead to a constitutional referendum in 2010.

Former President Charles Taylor to Begin Testifying July 13
· Former President Charles Taylor’s lead defense lawyer says his client’s testimony would be an integral part of the reconciliation process in Liberia.
· Mr. Courtney Griffiths said if the Liberian government is committed to promoting truth and reconciliation, it should pay attention to Taylor’s testimony.
· Former President Taylor is to give his account of the war in Sierra Leone on July 13.
· Though the testimony would focus on the Sierra Leone crisis, Mr. Griffiths also encouraged all Liberians to pay attention to what Taylor has to say.
· The Former Liberian President is being tried on eleven count criminal charges for allegedly supporting rebel forces in Sierra Leone from 1996 to 2002.

****

More Market Women Acquire Writing Skills

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
International Clips on Liberia

Jun 22, 2009 (All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has formally launched a grassroots literacy movement, Literate Liberia, in Monrovia, with an assurance that Government will continue to support efforts to provide educational opportunities for Liberians who wish to learn, particularly market women. The President commended the organizers of the campaign for providing an opportunity for market women to learn how to read and write. She also lauded women who have volunteered their time to attend the literacy classes. An Executive Mansion release says the Liberian leader urged all women to take advantage of the program. She encouraged those who can read and write to provide whatever little time they can to teach others.
International Clips on West Africa
The American dream: Widowed African father honors wife's wish for children
Source: McClatchy-Tribune Information Services Date
Ganieyou Salamy never wanted a new life. In Abidjan, the Ivory Coast capital, he taught high school physics and chemistry. Nothing suited him better. But his wife, Lysette, had died without realizing a dream. A computer operator, she envisioned her son and three daughters coming to the United States some day. There, she believed, they could have a richer education, a brighter future. Into her wish Salamy leaped. He sold his belongings and came alone to State College in spring 2001, starting over in a foreign land of falling leaves and snow with little English and useless teaching credentials. At one point, he juggled three jobs as he worked to save enough money for his children to join him. He served late-night hamburgers so his oldest daughter, Ade- Jelila, 24, could be a nurse in Philadelphia. Slicing meat and washing dishes paved the way for Anissat, 20, now a Penn State senior, to study counseling and become an award-winning African dance choreographer. Because he worked behind a supermarket deli counter, Seymira, 18, can play rugby on the USA Under-20 National Team as she goes into her sophomore year at Penn State. And Aziz, 10, can thrive at Radio Park Elementary School and enjoy his Nintendo Wii at home.
Local Media – Newspaper
President Sirleaf Instructs Ministers to Sack Corrupt Official without Hesitation
(New Democrat, Liberian Express)

· In a confidential memo to Cabinet Ministers, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has mandated them to fire corrupt officials without hesitation.
· The President’s memo comes just days after the U.N. Under Secretary for Peacekeeping, Mr. Alain Le Roy underlined the importance of transparency in the management of public funding saying that corruption deters donors.
· The President said continuing international and national reports on corruption were beginning to hurt the government.

Delegates at TRC National Reconciliation Conference Want Prosecution for Perpetrators of Conflict
(The Inquirer, Heritage, The News, Liberian Express, New Democrat, The Monitor, Liberia Journal, Public Agenda, Daily Observer)

· Delegates at the just-ended National Reconciliation Conference have recommended prosecution for perpetrators of the civil conflict.
· The delegates in a 38-count resolution also called for the banning of perpetrators to elected or appointed positions among other things.
· The over 400 participants recommended a review of the constitution and the rewriting of Liberia’s history.
· Receiving the participants’ resolution, TRC Chairman Jerome Verdier thanked the delegates and promised to place the recommendations in the Commission’s final report.

Finance Minister Suspends Two Officials over Budget Error
(Liberian Express, Heritage, New Democrat, Plain Truth, Liberian Journal)

· Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan says two versions of the 2009/2010 draft national budget are in circulation.
· In an interview, Minister Ngafuan said one of the budgets contains inconsistencies in figures while the other is without error.
· Addressing a news conference in Monrovia at the weekend, he said the budget with no error had limited copies and during the re-printing of the budget for distribution to members of the legislature and public the error came about.
· Meanwhile, two officials of the budget bureau who have oversight responsibility for printing of the budget have been suspended.

KRTTI Holds First Graduates in 20 Years, Graduates over 170 Teachers
(The Informer, The News, The Inquirer)

· The Kakata Rural Teachers Training Institute (KRTTI) in Kakata, Margibi County, has held its first graduation in 20 years, with 178 teachers awarded certificates.
· Speaking at the occasion, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said the graduation was a manifestation of Government’s commitment to addressing the country’s weak school system.
· The President commended the country’s partners, particularly the United States of America, the Ministry of Education and the faculty and staff of KRTTI for their contribution to the success of the programme.
· Earlier, in a keynote address, United States Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged teachers in the country to demonstrate commitment to the recovery of Liberia through their contributions to the education.

US$4M Microfinance Programme Launched
(Daily Observer)

· A Bangladeshi non-governmental development organization, BRAC Liberia, has officially launched an over US$4 million microfinance programme in the country.
· Speaking at the launch of the program over the weekend, BRAC Country Manager, Mohammad Salam said the programme was aimed as their contributing to the poverty reduction and the creation of employment opportunities.
· Mr. Salam said the program seeks to enhance the income of the poor with emphasis on women in the country.

President Sirleaf Launches Literate Liberia Movement
(The Informer)

· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has formally launched a grassroots literacy movement, Literate Liberia, in Monrovia, with an assurance that Government will continue to support efforts to provide educational opportunities for Liberians who wish to learn, particularly market women.

Liberian University Graduates Face Enrollment Problems Abroad
(Daily Observer)

· The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) has expressed serious concern over the non-enforcement by universities and colleges in the country of basic requirements for meeting international standards of universities.
· Dr. Michael Slawon named the requirements as 'preparation of accreditation standard of higher education, mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, synchronizing curricula, data collection and research surveys'.
· He said as a result of this problem Universality graduates face enrollment problems abroad.

Local Media – Star Radio (culled from website today at 09:00 am)
President Sirleaf in Abuja, Nigeria for ECOWAS Summit
· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in Abuja, Nigeria to take part in the 36th Summit of Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
· The two day mid-year summit of ECOWAS is expected to bring together leaders of the 15-nation regional grouping.

Finance Minister Suspends Two Officials over Budget Error
(Also reported on Sky F.M., and ELBC)

Delegates at TRC National Reconciliation Conference Want Prosecution for Perpetrators of Conflict

Maryland Authorities Welcome ERU Police Officers
· Authorities of Maryland County have officially received ten newly deployed officers of the Emergency Response Unit of the Liberia National Police.
· In an interview, the Mayor of Harper, Regina Sampson said the deployment of the ERU in Harper would help improve of security in the county.
· At present, there is dusk to dawn curfew which was imposed in the city following a violent demonstration there.
· The Harper City Mayor called on residents of Harper to cooperate with the ERU and other police forces in their endeavour to restore total calm to Harper.

E.L.B.C. (News monitored today at 9:00 am)
KRTTI Holds First Graduates in 20 Years, Graduates over 170 Teachers

President Sirleaf Launches Literate Liberia Movement

Liberia Retold History in USA

International Clips on Liberia
Liberia Retold History in USA
By: UMIL News
Monrovia, Liberia

Freetown, Jun 16, 2009 (Concord Times/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- A Human Rights Watch new photographic exhibit, Long Story Bit by Bit: Liberia Retold, featuring the work of award-winning journalist Tim Hetherington has opened on June 12 at Lincoln Center's Furman Gallery in New York, USA. Long Story Bit by Bit: Liberia Retold explores the dynamics of power, international complicity, and the search for justice in recent Liberian history. Liberia's last three presidents have each faced a dramatic end - William Tolbert was disemboweled during a coup d'etat, Samuel Doe was filmed being tortured to death, and Charles Taylor is standing trial for war crimes in The Hague. The exhibit tracks both the terrible years of war and corruption and the more hopeful present, as Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has taken charge of the country as Africa's first elected female head of state.
International Clips on West Africa
UN's Accolade for Koroma
Freetown, Jun 16, 2009 (Concord Times/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- The United Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe, has assured President Koroma that the UN would not only continue to support Sierra Leone but would align its priorities in accordance with the government's 'agenda for change'. Speaking during a brief visit at the President's Hill Station Lodge on Friday 12th June, Mr. Pascoe said the whole UN body was impressed with President Koroma's performance and presentation during the video link on the UN conference on Sierra Leone in New York, which he described as a "resounding success". In his remarks, President Koroma gave a detailed account of his government's aspirations and agenda. Starting with a note of gratitude for the world body's support during the country's most difficult period, the President said Sierra Leone is now engaged in real economic growth. He said the 'agenda for change' "addresses the aspirations and living standards of our people, addresses their poverty and the social services delivery system."

'DAC - a Day to Advocate for Children' - Unicef Rep
Freetown, Jun 16, 2009 (Concord Times/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Country Representative of the child advocacy agency, UNICEF has said that the 'Day of the African Child', celebrated all over Africa today, should be used as a day to advocate for the children of Sierra Leone. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs ahead of today's commemoration of the African child's day, Geert Cappelaere noted that child survival should be one of the major priorities of all non-governmental organizations operating in the country to help foster the standard of living for all children in Sierra Leone. He said UNICEF's theme for this year's commemoration is 'child survival' as the organization looks forward to scaling down child and maternal mortality rates in the country.
Local Media – Newspaper
Finance Ministry Concede Error in Budget Calculation
(New Democrat, National Chronicle, The Parrot, The Inquirer, Daily Observer, The News, Heritage)

· The Finance Ministry has admitted to an error in the 2009/2010 draft budget amounting to over half a million United States dollars.
· The amount was put in the proposed budget under the terms general claims without any explanation.
· The error was discovered by one of the Chairperson of the joint Legislative budget committee.
· Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan confirmed the mistake involving such a huge amount but described it as human error. He however said until a decision on appropriation is made the controversial amount will be reserved under the contingency reserved fund.

U.N. Secretary Wants Continue Support to Liberia
(New Vision)

· U. N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Liberia's partners to continue support to the country which remains fragile but has the potential to be a beacon on stability in the region.
· In his latest report to the Security Council on the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Mr. Ban proposed that the Council authorize the continuation of UNMIL's troop strength of nearly 8,000 until after the 2011 elections.
· He said security conditions permitting the UNMIL drawdown would resume at an accelerated pace during the post-election period.

US Visa 'Fraudsters' Face Prosecution
(Daily Observer)

· Two persons, Wade Appleton and King Sun, have been sent to court in connection to an alleged U.S. visa scam in Monrovia.
· The defendants are said to have collected over US$7,000 from five individuals with the understanding that they would have provided visas for the five to travel to the USA.

Avoid Un-ambitious Recommendations… Former TRC Chairman for Sierra Leone
(Daily Observer, The News, The Inquirer, New Democrat, The Independent)

· Retired Bishop Joseph C. Humper, former Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Sierra Leone, has cautioned the Liberian TRC commissioners against making 'un-ambitious and un-achievable' recommendations aimed at pleasing the victims and perpetrators of human rights abuses.
· Delivering the keynote address at the opening of a five-day national reconciliation conference in Monrovia Bishop Humper called on the government to ensure that the TRC recommendations were given deserved consideration.
· Meanwhile, the conference opened yesterday with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and top Government officials including the National Legislature being absent.
· Two commissioners of the TRC, Counselor Pearl Browne-Bull and Dedeh Dolopei were also reported to have boycotted the start of the conference.

WAEC Exams ‘Fraudsters’ Face NSA Inquest
(Daily Observer)

· The Head of National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Monrovia, Prof. Thomas K. Gaie, said schools that had been caught in examination malpractices for this year would be ‘thoroughly investigated’ by the National Security Agency (NSA).
· Last month over 86,000 students including 6th, 9th and 12th graders sat the WAEC examinations across the country, but with reports of some alleged malpractices.
· Schools that are alleged to have been involved in the examination malpractice are the St. Michael Catholic School, St. Philip Ecumenical School, E.J. Goodridge High School, St. Peters High School all of Gardnersville.
· Others are the Cavalry Chapel Mission, Cathedral Catholic School, the Monrovia Free Pentecostal School, Paynesville Community School P.M. section and the Amos Taybior institute among others.

Local Media – Star Radio (News monitored today at 09:00 am)
Tension Mounts at Guthrie Rubber Plantation
· Reports from Grand Cape Mount County say tension is mounting at the Guthrie Rubber Plantation
· The tension is as a result of the management’s alleged failure to settle the arrears of the workers.
· The workers last week threatened series of go-slow action including the setting up of roadblocks to claim government’s attention.
· The Guthrie Rubber Plantation has been the scene of many strike actions some of which turned out to be violent.
(Also reported on Truth F.M., Sky F.M. and ELBC)

Finance Ministry Concede Error in Budget Calculation
(Also reported on Truth F.M., Sky F.M. and ELBC)

35 Inmates Break Jail In Maryland County
· At least 35 inmates including murder and rape convicts are said to have broken jail in Harper, Maryland County.
· Reports say the escapees broke jail last week during a violent protest in Harper.
· The “mysterious” death of a man sparked the demonstration at which time angry youths vandalized the prison facility, the police depot and the home of the lone suspect in the case.
· Reports say the youths vandalized the prison because the police took the suspect into protective custody there.
· Police have meanwhile arrested 15 people including two youth leaders in connection with the violence. The youth leaders have denied any link to the violence.
· In April, dozens of inmates escaped the National Place of Correction in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County but were all re-arrested.
· At the same time, the Justice Ministry has dismissed two senior officials of the Monrovia Central Prison for their alleged role in a recent jail break at the facility.

Truth F.M. (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
ECOWAS Donates Several Computers to Liberia News Agency
· The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated a consignment of communication gadgets to the Liberia News Agency (LINA).
· During the turn over ceremony the Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS, Ambassador Ansumana Sesay said the presentation was intended to help build the capacity of the national news agencies of its member states.
· Mr. Sesay said the commission was ready to support the post-war recovery programme of member countries.
· ECOWAS donated several laptop and desk top computers among other things to help in the revitalization of the agency.
· Information Ministry authorities have meanwhile expressed gratitude for the donation.

Chief Administrator of Largest Referral Hospital Admits to Bribery at the Facility
· The Chief Administrator of the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre (JFK), Winnie Scott McDonald has admitted to bribery at the nation’s number one referral Hospital.
· She said the act was undermining professionalism at the hospital but said low income was responsible for the problem.
· Speaking at the ongoing budget hearing, the JFK Administrator said the issue of bribery can only be curtailed if the salaries of health practitioners at the centre are improved.

FACE AFRICA clean water team returns from Liberia

After weeks of hard and hands-on works in the war devastated African Country of Liberia, The FACE AFRICA clean water team is back in the U.S.

Press release coming soon

United Nations News

International Clips on Liberia
Cause Canada on Peace Building Project
By: Ben Samuel Turay

Concord Times, May 19, 2009 (Concord Times/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Cause Canada in collaboration with civil society organizations in Sierra Leone has commenced a two-day clinic on peace building for Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory-coast.

Cause peace building coordinator, Daniel N'bompa-Turay told participants at the Archdiocesan Pastoral center in Freetown that the aim of the workshop was to bring the tree countries together to strengthen gender issues, empower women and youths in peace building process.

He said the clinic will also look at educating people about human rights issues and bring both civil society organizations and the government to work as one.

"It is important to discuss about peace building. We want peace in of West Africa," he said. He added that both Liberia and Sierra Leone have experienced brutal civil war and that it was important for the two countries to build on their peace process.

International Clips on West Africa
Mediator sees chance of Ivory Coast "turning point"
OUAGADOUGOU, May 18 (Reuters) - The African leader seeking to broker an end to Ivory Coast's six-year political gridlock hailed a new Nov. 29 election date on Monday as a real chance for the world's top cocoa grower to emerge from the stalemate.

Last week's announcement of the date met with skepticism by analysts who warned it could slip like others before it, citing what they see a lack of political will by incumbent Ivorian leaders benefiting from the political uncertainty.

But Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore said before a new round of mediation talks that President Laurent Gbagbo's government was committed to holding a poll aimed at reuniting a country whose north has been in the hands of rebels since a 2002-03 civil war.

Local Media – Newspaper
UN Security Council Delegation Visits Liberia – Travel Ban victims beg to be heard
(New Democrat, The Analyst, The Monitor, Heritage, the Informer and The Inquirer newspapers)

· A United Nations Security Council delegation is due to visit Liberia on Tuesday on the last stop of an eight-day, four-nation trip to Africa.
· Ambassadors and diplomats from the 15 council nations - the United States of America, France, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Russia, the People’s Republic of China, Austria, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Japan, Libya, Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam - are due to meet with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Cabinet Ministers, the leadership of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), senior members of the UN country team, and the International Contact Group on Liberia.
· The media expects that the delegation, led by US Ambassador Susan Rice, would reaffirm the Council’s support to President Sirleaf's efforts to rebuild the country after back-to-back civil wars.
· Accordingly, the Council will also assess the UN Mission in Liberia, whose mandate expires in September, to determine whether it should be further renewed. The delegation will also assess the operational capacity and sustainability of the Liberia National Police and other security institutions.
· In another twist, a number of Liberians affected by the UN Security Council travel restrictions continued to accuse the government of being insensitive to their plight, urging the visiting UN Security Council delegation to accord them an opportunity to be heard.
· Most of the affected Liberians accused the Council of being selective in removing names from the travel ban list.
· It is widely believed in Liberia that the issue of removal was a key instrument for garnering votes in the heat of the 2005 Presidential campaign. A major Liberian online news magazine suspects that ‘promises were made by some political players that they would advocate on behalf of those restricted from travel and whose assets have been frozen.’
· Recently, Jewel Howard Taylor, wife of former President Charles Taylor lamented that a promise made by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf regarding the turnover of her husband to the war crimes court for trial was not fulfilled, a pledge President Sirleaf denies in her memoir which was released a short while ago.

Suspended LTA Chairman Faces Probe
(Heritage, The News, Daily Observer)
· The suspended Chairman Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Albert Bropleh will submit himself for investigation based on recent audit reports. The rest of the LTA commissioners have complied with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's request to resign their posts.

Man Arrested over US$1M Scam
(The News, Heritage, The Inquirer, Daily Observer)
· A middle-aged man identified as 'E. Jee Sirleaf', who coned the Government to cart away US$1 million under the guise of acting on behalf of the President, is currently undergoing investigation for his alleged involvement in fraudulent acts at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).

Corrections Officer Justifies Jailbreaks
(The Monitor)

· [Sic:] An official of the Corrections and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice has attributed the wave of jailbreaks in the country to neglect of the correction system by the Liberian Government. ‘Correction officers in the country are still operating in primitive days, we walk with prisoners from various detention or prison centers to court; there are no vehicles for corrections officers,’ said Victoria Freeman.

Local Media – Star Radio (News monitored today at 09:00 am)
High-Power UN Security Council Delegation in Monrovia for Assessment
(Also reported on Sky F.M., and ELBC)

US Ambassador Renews Commitment to Assist in Liberia’s Recovery

· In an interview, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas Greenfield expressed her government’s re-newed commitment to supporting Liberia in its recovery programme.
· Ambassador Greenfield said the U.S. was interested in investing in all sectors of the country but said her Government was particularly interested in infrastructure development, security, health and education.
· Meanwhile, the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia has administered the oath of service to six additional Peace Corps volunteers in Monrovia.
· She said the Peace Corps volunteers programme represent a viable and visible symbol of America’s contribution to efforts of world peace.
(Also reported on Sky F.M., and ELBC)

Former President Pro-temp Differs on Proposal to Cut Salaries of Senior Public Officials

· Former President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, Isaac Nyenabo says salaries of certain Government officials cannot be reduced unless constitutional amendments are made.
· According to him, the constitution protects the salaries of the President, Vice President, Chief Justice and the Supreme Court Justices.
· Senator Nyenabo said it was totally wrong for a lawmaker to propose salary deductions for certain government officials.
· His statement was in reaction to a proposal by Montserrado Representative Rufus Neufville for a reduction in the salaries of top government officials.
· Representative Neufville proposed the reduction to ensure that the salaries of civil servants are increased to a minimum of US$150.

Supreme Court Summons Central Bank Governor in Connection with Controversial US$508,200

· Chambers Justice Francis Kporpor has cited the Central Bank Governor, Mills Jones to a conference in connection with the “controversial” half a million dollars seized from a Nigeria in 2006 and used by Government.
· Justice Minister, Philip Banks and lawyers representing the Nigerian will also attend the conference scheduled for Wednesday.
· The conference is in line with the recent rate of mandamus filed against Justice Minter Banks and CBL Governor Dr. Mills Jones.
· The government’s spending of the over US$500,000 on National Security sparked the petition from a local human rights lawyer.

I will not sit

By: T. Q. Harris, Jr.

As we head toward the next Presidential and Legislative elections you will find me standing shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who have said enough is enough. I stand because Liberians have lost countless opportunities by being silent even when the situation demands that we speak. I stand because it is painful to see the country of my birth – Africa first republic - in such a horrible condition. Also, I stand because the slave culture nurtured by our leaders dating back to the 1800s must be eradicated. I stand because only Liberians themselves can deal effectively with the enemies within our midst. And, yes, I stand as the son of a Gio man whose father was sold by his government to work the fields of Fernando Po and also as the son of an Americo-Liberian woman whose great grandmother was born on a ship bringing the freed slaves to this land. It is no coincidence that I was born a Liberian. So, today, I stand because it is my duty.

My decision to enter politics as well as the desire to inspire a new generation of leaders is borne out a firsthand experience interacting with leading actors in the Liberian political arena. Nothing I have seen in the past 19 years has given cause for optimism, as it relates to long-term stability and sustained growth. The fact is Liberia as a nation is frozen in time, unable to move past the Tubman era and unwilling to shake off the American slave culture. And, sadly, the Tubman-generation-leaders are in denial. It’s time for a new vision, new focus, and a reordering of priorities. Moreover, we must begin to repair the damage caused by decades of immoral leadership.

As it relates to my personal evolution, life took a dramatic turn for me on that fateful day when I saw the depressing photograph next to the word LIBERIA on the page of an international newspaper. The year was 1990. And the picture was the usual: Africans on the move, carrying large bundles with children in tow. But this time these were Liberians. My initial reaction was, this can’t be real; not my people, not Liberia! Then next I asked; how could I help? Politics was the farthest from my mind. After all, I left Liberia in December 1978 as a young man with no previous involvement in government or politics. And though my leaving was due to circumstances outside of my control; it turned out to be in many ways a blessing from God, because Liberia’s debacle began in 1979.

There is no going back

Most Liberians seem dubious of the fact this nation could suddenly turn for the worse and become a Haiti, Somalia or an Afghanistan due to prolonged mismanagement and antiquated laws. With illiteracy and unemployment well into the stratosphere, rule of law nonexistent, poverty and corruption deeply entrenched, and the infrastructure in shambles; the chance of a complete collapse has never been greater. Clearly, the individuals Liberians have relied upon to manage the affairs of state, including the current president, have not been up to the task. Perhaps well-intentioned, but collectively their actions have produced one disaster after another. Had it not been for the UN Mission, violence would have yet again erupted. The question now is this: Will UN Troops remain in Liberia indefinitely; if not, what does the future hold?

Liberians themselves rather than the international community must effect the change this nation needs. And it must begin with the 2011 elections. The message coming out of these elections must be clear and unequivocal: Liberia has turned the corner and there is no going back. Because there will be no meaningful progress under Tubman-generation-leaders (TGLs), and the civilized world will not tolerate their recklessness.

As it relates to the senseless violence that devastated this nation, the United States has made its position abundantly clear: (1) Chuckie Taylor has been sentenced to a 97-year prison term by a US court for torturing Liberians; and (2) President George Bush, during his visit to Liberia, did not give the Sirleaf administration a dime. You will recall it was President Bush who in 2003 boldly declared that “Charles Taylor must leave the country.” How disappointed he must have been to see Liberians replace an indicted war criminal with a war crimes suspect? Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s ascent to the presidency is no less disturbing than this infamous chant: You killed my ma…you killed my pa; I will vote for you.

The participants generally were combative

After reading the newspaper’s account of the devastation caused by the war, I began searching for Liberians in the US with information on how to assist displaced families. This would mark the beginning of a 19-year odyssey. Through it all I have come to realize what often is seen as the cause of Liberia’s failure might very well be symptom of a larger problem. Liberia’s creation just might be the cruelest social experiment in recorded history. Is it possible that a people who for generations lived under an extreme form of slavery and even made to believe they were less than humans are able to lead - without guidance or proper instructions - the building of a wholesome functional nation? Absolutely not!

This explains why Liberians in general, after 162 years, continue to exhibit attitudes of slaves in America. Were I to chronicle in detail my personal experiences as a philanthropist and subsequent transition to a political figure it would fill volumes, but I won’t burden you. However, please indulge me in this brief narrative which I hope will help change the thinking of those who believe living conditions of Liberians can improve without personal accountability.

After parting company with Charles Taylor, Charles Brumskine invited me to participate in a teleconference he had organized for the purpose of determining the best way forward in dealing with Charles Taylor’s rogue regime. Participants included Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Togba-Nah Tipoteh, Alhija Kromah and Cletus Wotorson among others. But nothing meaningful was achieved because the participants generally were combative and cantankerous. However, in the closing moments we agreed to organize a meeting in Washington DC where Liberians would elect individuals who will serve as the voice of the opposition. Cletus Wotorson and Charles Brumskine were made chairman and co-chairman respectively of the organizing committee. On the surface it seemed like a great idea, but the level of mistrust and downright hatred between the various personalities made the stated objectives unrealistic.

Realizing that personal differences had doomed the teleconference, I proposed in an email to the group that we meet prior to the Washington DC event at a private venue where we could relax and become better acquainted. This I reckoned might ease tension and help redirect the focus toward the critical issues at hand. But no one responded. For the next 7 days I sent out a number of follow-up emails soliciting a response. Finally, Mr. Wotorson commented by saying, in his 60 years he had never heard of such a thing…in essence, the idea was ludicrous. Days later I commended the group for their efforts and informed them that I had no intention of participating in yet another exercise not likely to produce any real benefit for the Liberian people. It is interestingly to note no one else in the group commented on my proposal.

On the day of the event, a host of Liberians as well as representatives from the UN, the US State Department as well as other major entities converged on Washington DC. Cletus Wotorson was chosen to lead, assisted by Charles Brumskine. But, within forty-eight hours, Charles Brumskine resigned. A week later, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Amos Sawyer were at it again, organizing yet another conference to be held this time in Burkina Faso. While Ellen and Sawyer did the planning, Harry Greaves touted the conference as the final train…anyone not on board will be left out. Again, T. Q. Harris did not attend. Within less than 60 days following the event in Washington DC, the Ellen-Sawyer show in Ouagadougou produced a new opposition leadership team.

TGLs nefarious campaign severely undermined LURD leadership

Behind the public façade, Tubman-generation-leaders (TGLs) - including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – were secretly maneuvering to become the leader of LURD. Money as well as other resources was used to achieve these objectives. They infiltrated the LURD leadership with paid agents who pressed their case and discredited rivals. Their nefarious campaigns constantly undermined Sekou Konneh’s leadership and severely weakened the organization.

How do I know this? Long before there was a LURD, T. Q. Harris was a fearless, vocal opponent of Charles Taylor – the thug who murdered women and children. My resentment of the warlords in general was no secret. I even campaigned against them for the Presidency in 1997 while they were armed and feared by many. Later, I would realize someone was taking note. This was confirmed by the calls I received; one of these calls came unexpectedly from a man who introduced himself as Eddie. He said, we were with the General in Monrovia…after he was killed we fled the country and have regrouped in Freetown. I’m calling because we intend to carry out his dream. And because you were chosen to lead, we’d like you to become involved.

I had never met the former AFL General, but we spoke once by phone. The conversation was brief. He got straight to the point: We are tired of this Charles Taylor nonsense, he said, and are about to take him out…it will be done right here in this town…we’re not starting anything from the border. And because we are military people, not civilians; we would like you to head the government that will replace Charles Taylor. I would have preferred we meet in person, but this will attract attention. Can you meet with my men in a nearby country? They will brief you as to the details. Unfortunately, circumstances did not permit me to meet the General’s men nor did I have the opportunity to ask why they had selected me.

A week following my talk with the General, his men arrived in the nearby country. However, on the day of their arrival, Charles Taylor forces launched a massive assault on the Camp Johnson Road community. The General was killed. Considering the timing, it is likely he and his men were victims of a betrayal.

My investigation of Eddie proved his story was accurate. At the time Eddie, Vamba Kanneh, Lavala Supuwool, and others were in Freetown seeking support to launch an offensive against the Taylor regime. According to information received, those willing and perhaps able to help demanded that they present a leader. Several names were submitted. However, T. Q. Harris was selected. Within days of the decision I was given a number to call. The contact person was the special assistant to a key military officer in the region who told me his boss was quite familiar with the situation in Liberia and very unhappy with Charles Taylor’s treatment of the Liberian people. Also, that he had been instructed to give me all the assistance I need.

Apart from intense lobbying by TGLs such as Vamba Kanneh, Lavala Supuwool and a few others, plans to drive Charles Taylor out of Liberia were progressing quite well until a group headed by George Dweh arrived. They came from Nigeria with promises of cash as well as other resources to support the operation. Money they brought was used to buy influence, including naming the group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). But soon they realized, though T. Q. Harris had never set foot on the ground, his leadership was endorsed by key elements, particularly the fighting men. It was then they requested to speak with me.

I placed a call to George Dweh from my residence in the US. It was our first contact ever. He acknowledged I had broad-based support; yet demanded that I remit $100,000 in order to retain the leadership position. I responded by saying, I won’t give a dime for this purpose! As it became clear I wasn’t giving in, he lowered the amount to $25,000 and explained how quickly I will get the money back once I become president. Again, I restated my position. He then suggested that I think it over. This conversation for all intents and purposes ended my relationship with the group, as it was clear our priorities were not the same.

After facing a number of setbacks in Freetown the group transferred to Conakry where they languished until Charles Taylor made perhaps his worst tactical error by attacking a major border town in Guinea. This made it possible for LURD to receive the resources it needed. However, support would be funneled only through the husband of the president’s spiritual advisor.

LURD operational problems

In May 2003 I received yet another unexpected call from a man who identified himself as V. Marshall. He was sent by his colleagues in LURD to inform me that they were gearing up to take the fight into Monrovia. But before launching, they wanted “a leader more acceptable to the Liberian people”. So the various commanders held a vote and T. Q. Harris was elected. Now they want to know whether I would accept the position. Knowing full well LURD already had a leader in the person of Sekou Damate Konneh; I told Marshall that I will have to get back with them later.

My investigation of V. Marshall showed he was genuine. This was also confirmed by a LURD insider who said Marshall was one of the fighters who didn’t often leave the bush…therefore it must be important.

However, before I could get back with Marshall, we received a call from yet another LURD operative who introduced himself as Abbey, a military advisor. He said LURD Military High Command had sent him to ask me to serve as chief negotiator in order to end the war. According to Abbey, the decision had been taken “because too many little children were dying in the bush while the politicians in LURD were fighting among themselves for power…we want to end this war,” he concluded. I then informed him of the message we had received earlier. He recognized V. Marshall and was happy to learn the fighting men also had contacted me. It immediately became clear LURD had serious organizational problems. So I proceeded to inform Abbey that the request will have to be presented in writing.

Several days later, I was given a number to call the LURD Battlefield Commander who identified himself as Prince Seo. He thanked me for being willing to serve as chief negotiator and asked that we help him with communication. Cell phones were sent to Freetown for both Seo and Abbey. The following week LURD Military High Command presented the statement as requested.

Shortly thereafter, I was contacted by officials of both the UN and the ECOWAS. Encouraged by the statement, a top ECOWAS official commented that it was an extremely significant development. But the so-called politicians in LURD, on the other hand, saw it differently. They reacted violently, even speeding up the attack on Monrovia without a plan to govern. This in large part was the work of paid agents who believed the ensuing chaos would strengthen the position of their benefactors. The strategy worked. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf did not become the leader of LURD; but after failing in Ghana to obtain the top spot in the transitional government, she succeeded in gaining the presidency.

More than enough reason to stand

Regardless of our differences some things are indisputable: (1) More than 200,000 of our fellow compatriots were killed in the carnage and neither the good guys nor the bad guys have been identified; (2) Tens of thousands Liberians have lost their entire inheritance and are now living in abject poverty; (3) The national debt exceeded 4 Billion United States Dollars and there is nothing to show; (4) The nation’s electricity, water and sewer systems were destroyed by the warlords and their accomplices; and (5) A generation has been denied education and proper discipline. How much more must we tolerate?

In a recent interview, Jewel Taylor – wife of the indicted war criminal Charles Taylor – intimated that her husband is a hero, and if he were to return to Liberia and participate in the 2011 elections he would win the presidency hands down. If this is remotely possible, what does it say about Liberians in general? What does it say about you as a person? It says Liberians are morally bankrupt, an ungodly, unprincipled human eating people. And it is through this prism the world now sees us.

This is why I will not sit until a new generation of leaders takes control of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government beginning in 2012. I will not sit until those who have been wronged are given redress. I will not sit until our friends and loved ones who were murdered in cold-blood receive justice as well as the proper respect. I will not sit until the yoke of mental slavery is broken and my people experience true freedom. I Will Not Sit!


The Author: Mr. T. Q. Harris, Jr. is currently the General Chairman of Liberia Contemporees United Patriotic and Strong (Contemp UPS) www.contemporees.org and a former vice presidential nominee. He can be reached by phone in the US at (562) 216-3177 or (562) 824-0385 or by email him at liberia1@charter.net and visit the Friends of TQ website www.friendsoftq.com

UNMIL Daily News summary

UNMIL Public Information Office Complete Media Summaries
24 April 2009
Newspaper Summary
Four Opposition Parties Want Legislature Pass Threshold Bill
(The Analyst, The Inquirer)

· The leadership of four opposition political parties have requested the National Legislature to pass the new Population Threshold Bill currently before it. The four parties - Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Liberty Party (LP), the National Democratic Party (NDPL) and the National Patriotic Party (NPP) - said the census has been conducted in line with the constitution and therefore wanted the lawmakers to pass the threshold bill which is intended to establish electoral constituencies in the country.
· On Wednesday, former President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Isaac Nyenabo said the preliminary census results submitted to the National Legislature cannot be used to enact the threshold bill saying it would be legally wrong for a national law to be based on initial results which are subject to changes.

Justice Minister Explains Controversial US$500,000 Capital Flight from Central Bank
(Heritage, Daily Observer, The Analyst, The Inquirer)

· Justice Minister Philip Banks has disclosed the US$500,000 that reportedly vanished from the Central Bank of Liberia vault was put in government’s coffers.
· Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Minister Banks said the amount was confiscated from a Nigerian national at the Roberts International Airport in 2006.
· The Minister said when the man was arrested by security officers he had the amount plastered to his skin.
· According to Minister Banks, the money was ordered confiscated by the court and placed in government’s coffers saying it is currently being used for security operations in the country.

For WFP Container Disappearance at Port…LSP Director Suspended Indefinitely
(Daily Observer, Liberian Journal)

· Liberia’s Seaport Police Director Ashford Peal has been suspended for time indefinite as a result of the disappearance of three containers and 450 bags of rice over the last few days from the Freeport of Monrovia.
· During a visit to the Freeport of Monrovia Thursday, Internal Affairs Minister and Acting President Ambulai Johnson confirmed that Mr. Peal had been suspended for time indefinite, and four other persons dismissed pending investigation into the matter.
· Minister Johnson said the relevant authorities were conducting investigation into the circumstances surrounding the WFP containers and the 450 bags of rice and that an official report will be forwarded to the President upon her return. Meanwhile, reports say the containers belonging to the WFP are still missing while a truck carrying the consignment of rice has been arrested and is in police custody.

Regional Maritime Rescue Centre Inaugurated in Liberia
(Daily Observer, The Analyst, The Inquirer, New Democrat)

· The Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has been inaugurated in Monrovia.
· Speaking during the inauguration, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Efthimios Mitropoulos described the newly established Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Liberia as a difficult task saying it will require what he called undiminished vigilance, high standard of professionalism and sharp reactions.
· Also speaking, Maritime Bureau Commissioner, Binyan Kesselly renewed Liberia’s commitment to professionally manage and operate the centre.
· According to Mr. Kesselly, the establishment of the centre places Liberia in a ready position to meet the challenges posed by the growing maritime trade in the sub-region.

World Bank Approves US$44M
(Daily Observer)

· The World Bank Group has approved an (International Development Association) IDA Grant of forty-four million United States Dollars (US$44m) equivalent for Urban and Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project for Liberia.
· The development objective of the project is to support Government’s goal of improving road access in Monrovia and targeted rural areas, as well as improving institutional structure for technical management of the road sector. The Urban and Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project will finance several critical components of transport infrastructure around the country.

Radio Summary

Star Radio (News culled from website today at 09:00 am)
Justice Minister Clarifies how US$500,000 confiscated from Nigerian National was used
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Regional Maritime Rescue Centre Inaugurated in Liberia

Executive Wants Legislature Use Preliminary Census Result to Pass Threshold Bill

· The Executive Branch has called on the National Legislature to use the data submitted by the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS).
· Speaking at a regular press briefing Thursday, Acting Information Minister, Cletus Sieh said the current preliminary results of the census would make no difference to the final draft accusing some lawmakers of using the issue to stall the Threshold process.
· On Wednesday, Former President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Isaac Nyenabo said the preliminary census results submitted to the National Legislature cannot be used to enact the threshold bill saying it would be legally wrong for a national law to be based on initial results which are subject to changes.
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Government Re-arrests 35 of the Escapees from the Zwedru Correction Palace

· Government says 35 of the 40 inmates who broke jail at the Zwedru Correction Palace in Grand Gedeh County have been re-arrested.
· Acting Information Minister Cletus Sieh said the inmates were re-arrested following a rigorous operation launched by the Joint Security.
· Acting Minister Sieh said efforts are underway to re-arrest the remaining five who are at large.
· He said most of those re-arrested are hard core criminals who are capable of causing havoc in the country.
(Also reported on Sky F.M., Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Boat Accident Leaves Two Dead

· Two persons are reported dead following separate accidents in Grand Bassa County.
· The first death occurred when 19 persons onboard a sinking boat jumped into the sea to swim ashore.
· The 19 persons including crew members were on board the MV Jeffery sailing from Monrovia to Maryland County.
· The other death occurred when an ambulance dispatched to transport the victims form the boat to Buchanan for treatment involved in an accident.
· Police accounts say the accident occurred when a motorcycle collided head on with the ambulance leaving the motorcyclist dead.

Keeping Africa's Turnaround on Track

By Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
President of Liberia
Thursday, April 9, 2009
(Source: Washington Post newspaper)

For more than a decade, much of Africa has been moving forward. Economic growth is rising, poverty is falling and democratic governance is spreading. But the global financial crisis threatens to undo this progress by reducing investment, exports and aid just as they should be expanding to build on these successes.
While international attention has been understandably focused on events in Darfur, Somalia and Zimbabwe, countries across the continent including Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique and Liberia have been quietly turning around. Economic growth rates regularly exceed 5 percent in many nations. Since 2000, 34 million more African children are in school. More than 2 million Africans are on lifesaving HIV/AIDS medicines. Malaria deaths have been halved in Rwanda and Ethiopia, and the disease has been virtually eradicated in Zanzibar. Poverty rates are falling fast, from 58 to 51 percent across the continent in just six years, according to the World Bank.
The key to this progress is stronger African leadership and more accountable governance. Today, more than 20 African countries are democracies, up from just three in the 1980s; they have competitive elections and improved human rights, and their news media are much freer. These efforts have been supported by increasingly effective development assistance from the United States and other partners.
Consider what has happened in my country, Liberia. After 14 years of devastating war, we faced enormous challenges but had precious few resources. Our democratically elected government has worked with international partners and a growing number of private investors to turn things around. In the past three years, we have doubled primary school enrollment nationwide, refurbished hundreds of health facilities, and begun rebuilding roads and generators. We have taken steps to root out corruption and remove unscrupulous officials. Growth has exceeded 8 percent per year. And, most critical, we are at peace. We are restoring our once-vibrant nation, and the crucial component -- hope -- has already been revived. Without international support, we would not have made this progress and would be at much greater risk of returning to war.
The economic crisis threatens the progress in my country and elsewhere on our continent. An estimated $50 billion in income could be lost in Africa during the next two years. Declining remittances, trade flows and investment could undermine new businesses, throw millions out of work, and increase tensions and instability. The crisis -- which Africa did nothing to cause -- demands a strong response. African nations must do their part by continuing to address corruption, eliminate red tape and reduce obstacles to private-sector growth. But just as industrialized countries need a stimulus, African economies need a boost to keep their progress on track. The Group of 20 meeting last week produced a helpful first step. Going forward, five additional steps are critical.
First, the G-20 pledge to provide the International Monetary Fund with new resources must be fulfilled, and the IMF needs to get those resources to countries quickly and without onerous conditions.
Second, the World Bank and the African Development Bank must better leverage their resources; aggressively front-load support; and better target growth, jobs and safety-net programs. The International Finance Corp., the World Bank's private-sector affiliate, must be especially creative in keeping private investment on track.
Third, bilateral partners must build on their promises to increase aid and make it more effective by reducing bureaucratic delays, speeding disbursements and better aligning programs with African priorities.
Fourth, export credit agencies must use their resources to attack risk and other barriers to trade finance, such as liquidity issues.
Fifth, all countries must resist protectionist pressures so that trade can be the critical engine for restoring global growth.
The citizens and leaders of donor nations should recognize how important their assistance has been to the new leadership in Africa and how appreciative most Africans are for this partnership. Critics say that African economies are shrinking, that poverty is rising and that failing aid is the culprit. But this argument is at least a decade out of date. Africa's turnaround is real, the evidence indisputable. Africans themselves have been the key to this reversal, but more effective aid has played an important role. Reducing aid would slow private-sector growth, stall poverty reduction, and undermine peace and stability in countries that are struggling to become part of the global economy.
It would be a cruel irony if, just as Africa began to succeed, its prospects were cut short by a crisis beyond its control. Strong action by African governments and robust support from the international community can keep Africa's recovery on track. Both should continue to do their part.
The writer is president of Liberia and the author of "This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President."

UNMIL Daily News

UNMIL Public Information Office Complete Media Summaries
3 April 2009

Newspaper Summary


(The Inquirer, New Democrat, National Chronicle)

· Addressing a news conference in Monrovia Thursday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj reassured Liberians that the drawdown plan or scaling down of the UN’s peacekeeping operations in Liberia will proceed in a cautious and gradual manner to ensure that the gains made in consolidating peace in the country are not put at risk.
· In her recent report to the Security Council on UNMIL, SRSG Løj maintained that Liberia’s security situation was relatively stable, but still characterized by underlying fragility and needing to be monitored closely.
· The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) is in the midst of the second phase of its drawdown during which troops levels are to be reduced by nearly 1,500, and further modifications could be made during the third and final segment which kicks off this September.

SRSG Løj Encourages Liberian Legislature to Pass Threshold Bill
(The Inquirer, New Democrat, National Chronicle)

· The Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj has warned that delay in the passage of the population Threshold Bill will affect the timetable of the 2011 elections in the country.
· Speaking during UNMIL press briefing yesterday, Ms. Løj said the forthcoming elections were crucial to the maintenance of peace in the country.

Supreme Court Issues Writ of Prohibition on Elections Commission
(The Analyst, The Inquirer, The Parrot)

· The Supreme Court has issued a writ of prohibition on the National Elections Commission (NEC).
· The writ bars the commission from further proceeding into the case involving some partisans of the opposition Liberia Party (LP) and its leadership.
· The prohibition grew out of a communication served the party by NEC calling on the LP to defer its planned convention scheduled for today, April 3 to tomorrow April 4.
· The Elections Commission cited the complaint filed by some aggrieved partisans as the reason for the proposed deferral.

Ambassador Conmany Wesseh Appointed to European Union
(The Analyst, Heritage, New Vision)

· Ambassador Conmany B. Wesseh has been appointed as Liberia’s Ambassador to the European Union (EU). A Ministry of Foreign Affairs release said the decision is in recognition of Liberia’s increasingly strategic and demanding partnership with the European Union for accelerated development aimed at promoting Liberia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).


Germans Build Liberians' Capacity in Road Engineering
(Daily Observer)

· [sic:] A German capacity-building institution is in the country to train and build the capacity of Liberian contractors in road construction to enable the Liberian firms attract better contract opportunities through professional performances. “The labeling of Liberian contractor as lacking in both professional and logistical capacity to effectively carry out road construction is fast becoming a thing of the past,” said Foday M. Kamara, Sr. president of the of the Association of Liberia Construction Contractors (ALCC).

Radio Summary
Star Radio (News monitored today at 9:00 am)
Supreme Court Intervenes in Liberty Party, NEC Exchanges

Lawmakers Vote to Release Detained LTA's Boss Today
· The House of Representatives voted today to release from further detention the disgraced Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Albert Bropleh.
· The House voted to pardon the detained LTA Chairman based on a motion for reconsideration but maintained its vote of no confidence in Mr. Bropleh.
· The House found the LTA Chairman guilty of perjury and ordered his detention for one month over a scandal in which he solicited and withdrew US$52,000.00 from the LTA accounts as lobby fees for the Legislature.
· In a related development, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has suspended Mr. Bropleh for time indefinite.
(Also reported on Truth F.M., Sky F.M., and ELBC)

Three Opposition Lawmakers Alarm over Unity Party Merger
· Three opposition lawmakers have criticized the merger of the governing Unity Party, Liberia Action Party (LAP) and the Liberia Unification Party (LUP).
· The lawmakers including the Congress for Democratic Change Rufus Neufville described the merger as a threat to multi-democracy saying the independence of the Legislature has been undermined.
· Addressing a news conference yesterday, the three opposition lawmakers said the merger places independent decision making at the National Legislature at risk as both Houses are headed by the LAP which is part of the governing Unity Party coalition.
· House Speaker Alex Tyler and the Senate Pro Temp Cletus Wortorson belong to the Liberia Action Party even though a Spokesman of the party said they will not form part of the merger.
(Also reported on Truth F.M., Sky F.M., and ELBC)

Liberia, Nigeria Sign Technical Agreement
· The Government of Liberia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have signed a Technical and Manpower Assistance Agreement aimed at deploying over 100 volunteers in various professional fields to participate in the ongoing efforts by government to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country.
· Foreign Minister OluBanke King Akerele signed on behalf of government while Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse signed for his government.
(Also reported on Truth F.M., Sky F.M., and ELBC)

900 Sierra Leonean Refugees Get official Residency in Liberia

· Liberia has granted alien residency to 900 Sierra Leonean refugees who sought refuge here since their country’s civil war started in 1991.
· Vice President Joseph Boakai said the government is committed to providing maximum security for all those residing within its borders and that government was in full support of the integration of former Sierra Leonean refugees in the society.
· Vice President Boakai spoke when the 900 former refugees received Sierra Leonean passports to qualify them for the alien residency status.
· For her part, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Marie Barnett called on her kinsmen to remain law abiding and respectful to authority.

Truth F.M. (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
UNMIL Urges Legislature to Pass Threshold Bill

Justice Minister Warns Against Burning Down Police Stations
· Speaking during the dedication of the newly constructed police depot in the Freeport Community on Bushrod Island, Justice Minister Philip Banks has threatened to arrest and persecute anyone who will burn down a police depot and other state assets in the name of seeking redress to their grievances.
· The Minister said citizens must seek legal redress to their concerns rather than resulting to violence.

****

FACE AFRICA TO HOST BENEFIT EVENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Wokie Daboh
Media and Communications
Tel: 617-302-5038
wokie@faceafrica.org

FACE AFRICA to host BENEFIT EVENT in commemoration of
united nation’s world water day

All proceeds from the evening will go towards FACE Africa's Clean Water Initiatives in Liberia

Boston, MA – March, 16, 2009 – In celebration of World Water Day, FACE Africa, a nonprofit organization working to bring innovative nonprofit programs to communities in Africa, will host a benefit event to raise awareness and funds for their clean water initiatives in Liberia. The event will take place on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Massachusetts with special guests E. Denise Simmons, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, and Nathaniel Barnes, Liberian Ambassador to the United States. Peter Thum, Founder of Ethos Water and a former Vice President of Starbucks, will deliver the keynote remark.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards procuring and distributing PUR to rural communities in Liberia.

World Water Day is an international day of observance and action, created to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people worldwide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water. According to UNICEF, lack of clean water is the second largest killer of children under age five and 4,200 children die daily due to the lack of access to clean water. “FACE Africa is proud to join leading NGOs around the country to help raise awareness and funds to tackle the world water crises,” says Saran Kaba Jones, Founder and Executive Director, FACE Africa. “We are especially proud to be working with a company like Procter & Gamble to bring clean water solutions to rural Liberia.”

In February 2009, Procter and Gamble announced plans to appoint FACE Africa as a distributor of the company's point-of-use water treatment flocculent in Liberia. Trade named PUR, the flocculent is an innovation that quickly turns 10 liters of dirty, potentially deadly water into clean and drinkable water.

The organization’s long term goal is to establish more sustainable supply and distribution networks of point-to-use water treatment systems. The second method of water purification they plan to introduce is based on a solar-powered nano-porous membrane known by its trade name as the Sky Station. Manufactured by the engineering firm Siemens, the Sky Station is capable of producing 10,000 liters of clean water a day. Full event details can be found at: http://www.faceafrica.org/benefit_event.htm

About FACE AfricaFACE Africa is a Cambridge, MA based nonprofit organization working to bring innovative and results-oriented non-profit programs that have potential to address critical needs to communities in Africa. The organization supports programs that address rural issues affecting women and children in four key areas: education, health/nutrition, clean water, and technology. Their initial and primary focus is Liberia, a country emerging from a long and devastating civil war. Upon successful implementation of their programs in Liberia, FACE Africa will expand operations to other countries with similar challenges and needs. For more information, visit http://www.faceafrica.org/.

###

UNMIL daily newspaper summary

UNMIL daily Newspaper Summary

War Crimes Court Advocate and several others arrested, charged with Criminal Conspiracy
(The Informer, The Inquirer, National Chronicle, Democrat, The News, The Parrot, Heritage)

· Police in Monrovia on Saturday arrested several protesters including the head of the Forum for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia, Mulbah Morlu, for attempting to stage an ‘unauthorized’ demonstration.
· The men have been charged with criminal conspiracy and are detained at the Monrovia Central Prison pending prosecution.

Deputy UN Envoy Says Joint UN Office Will Boost Teamwork
(The Parrot, The Informer, Heritage)

· The opening of a joint United Nations office in a provincial capital of Liberia will boost cooperation in international support to the West African country, which is recovering from a devastating 14-year civil war, a UN official said today.
· "We have done a lot of planning and lot of work together. It is time for us to change from 'plenty talk' to 'plenty work now,'" said Jordan Ryan, the Deputy UN Envoy in Liberia at the inauguration of the joint UN-office in Zwedru, the capital of southeastern Grand Gedeh County.
· The second such office in the country - the first one was opened in June last year in Voinjama, Lofa County - brings together five UN agencies and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
· The five agencies are the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Liberian Senate Saddled with Financial Malpractices
(National Chronicle, The News, Heritage, New Democrat)

· The Liberian Senate appears to be saddled with financial malpractices as most dailies continued to reflect persistent claims of corruption at the Senate. The latest claim concerns the alleged misapplication of US$71,000 allocated for the removal of Senate Pro Tempore Isaac Nyenabo. The development has drawn the Chairman of the Senate’s Ways, Means and Finance Committee, Richard Divine to the centre of controversy.

UNMIL Chinese Contingent Provides Medical Services in Grand Gedeh County
(The Parrot)
· [sic:] With Liberia now enjoying relative peace, the UN Mission in Liberia(UNMIL) has now shifted into providing humanitarian services such as medical, road construction, assisting in the training of Liberians in vocational and other disciplines. The Chinese Contingent of UNMIL based in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County is among one of the contingents of UNMIL that is rendering great deal of services to the people of Grand Gedeh, a county that lacks medical facilities. The Chinese have a medical clinic that is involved with providing treatments for illnesses, performing medical operations, HIV/AIDS testing and treating malaria and other sicknesses.

Radio Summary
Local Media – Radio Veritas (News monitored today at 9:45 am)
Three Political Parties Want Population Threshold Bill Passed

Three political parties, the National Patriotic Party, Liberia Unification Party and the Free Democratic Party have called for the passage of the Population Threshold Bill.
The Parties said the threshold bill is crucial to the sustenance of democracy in the country saying any attempt to change could spur a constitutional crisis.
They want lawmakers to maintain the proposed 45, 000 population threshold which has sparked controversy in the House.
A spokesman of the House said he was hopeful the bill would be passed shortly.
(Also reported on Star Truth F.M. and ELBC)

UNFPA Donates Vehicles, Motorbikes to Health Ministry

· The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated four vehicles, 14 motorbikes and medical supplies valued at over US$800,000 to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
· Presenting the items to authorities of the Ministry, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Mari Simonen said the donations were intended to help the Ministry address the high maternal mortality rate in the country.
· Dr. Simonen said Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world saying it was “unacceptable”.
· In response Health Minister, Walter Gwenigale commended UNFPA for the continuous support to the Ministry citing the Fistula project as one of such areas. The Fistula project is being funded by the UNFPA.
(Also reported on Star Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Police Confirm Arrest of Over a Dozen Inter-Con Security Guards

· Police authorities have confirmed the arrest of over a dozen security guards of the American-run Inter-Con Security Firm.
· Police spokesman, Lewis Norman said the men were arrested for allegedly posing threat to their fellow officers who breached an ongoing go-slow action.
· He said the men were seen in the vicinity of UNMIL logistic base known as “Star Base” on the Bushrod Island outside Monrovia stopping their colleagues from going to work.
· Earlier, in an interview a group of women claiming to be wives of the arrested men said their husbands were arrested for no reason.
(Also reported on Star Truth F.M. and ELBC)


Deputy House Speaker Wants Re-negotiation of Agriculture Concessions

· In a release, Deputy House Speaker, Togbah Mulbah has called for the re-negotiation of concession agreements with agriculture companies in the country.
· Representative wants the Executive summit to the Legislature concession agreements for forensic ratification and identified the agreements to be reviewed as the Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC), Cavalla Rubber Company (CRC) among others.


Truth F.M. (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
President Sirleaf Launches National Action Plan for Implementation of UN Resolution 1325

· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has launched the National Action Plan for the implementation of United Nations resolution 1325.
· Speaking at the launch, President Sirleaf called on women to take advantage of the new opportunity to advance their education and develop their leadership skills.
· She called on female lawmakers to push for more women participation as well as supporting the Fairness Bill currently being championed by other women.


****

The United States of Africa, ‘a nifty idea’ but a questionable source

By: Sam K. Zinnah

(Clayton, Delaware) The proposed idea of the unification of Africa into one state is one brilliant idea amongst many but the source of the idea remained widely questionable. For centuries, the world’s second largest and most populous continent after Asia “Africa” has been and continued to be rubbed of its resources. The successful division of the “African” continent by the West has largely continued to maintain its purpose “disunity”. Africa is divided into (more than) seven (former) colonies; France, Britain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and the United States. The main reason behind the idea of division is believed to be for economy gains by those (former) colonies. Although the continent is believed to be overtly free today, there are still covert colonial activities everywhere on the continent. Governments are covertly controlled or influenced by their former colonies.

The division of the continent also divides the mind of the continent and it inhabitants. Each of those former colonies does or deals with issues differently. i.e., during my stay in former British colony Ghana as a refugee, I traveled through “former French colony” La Cote d’IVoire (Ivory Coast) by means of road/ground. In Cote d’Ivoire, travelers (from different African Countries) were constantly harassed by Ivorian security forces. More often than none, the Ivorian security forces would stop (commercial) commuter vehicles and take away every passenger’s travel documents. Those collected documents were then used to verify who’s from where. This process was usually referred to as “classification”. Money was squeezed out of travelers based on their nationality. Someone from former British colonies, i.e; Ghana or Nigeria, was charged higher than someone from another colony. Reasons for the different charges were best known to the Ivorian security forces. I am of the strongest believe that those charges were connected to some colonial believes or reasons. On the other hand, someone from the West coast of Africa caught in the Central, North, or East of the continent is treated harsher.

The above attitudes exhibited by the Ivorian security forces in the sub-region shows the level of disunity on the continent of Africa.

In 2006 when I served as the secretary of the Liberian Students Association in the U.S., a case involving several Liberian Students in Egypt and Morocco surfaced on my desk. In Morocco, a Liberian student was sentenced to ten years in prison for carrying a document that was expired for few weeks. Boakai Karnley “a representative of the Liberian group I spoke to in Morocco” told me that the gentleman visited the immigration offices on several occasion to renew his documents but was told to check back after the holidays. According to Boakai, it was during that time that the document expired. Karnley described their stay in Morocco as “frustrating. “We are always hunted for, chased even into our bed rooms. Our rents are increased on the monthly basis simply because we are either black, refugees or from another country”. Those were the exact words of Boakai Karnley. How can we unite when the continent “Africa” is so badly divided into so many pieces? Such unity (if ever possible) will only show on paper (like the African Union that barks than it bites) but completely different in reality.

One African leader, ‘Libya’s col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi’ has for a long time advocated for the creation of a United States of Africa with its Government including a foreign minister, defense minister and minister of trade but Gaddafi’s activities in Africa and around the world does not show any positive connection to his political rhetoric. This author’s attention was recently caught again when Gaddafi threatened to turn his back on Africa if the continent’s leaders again reject his (Gaddafi’s) proposals for closer unity. He said he would instead look towards Europe and the Arab world. I am not sure if Gaddafi “during his political rhetoric speech just ahead of the opening of a summit of African leaders in Ethiopia” was considering his past failed relationship with the same Europe and Arab world.

According to BBC’s Rena Jawad in Tripoli, the Libyan leader said he’s prepared to move his African investments which he said amounted to more than $5 bn (2.5 bn euro) to Arabs and Mediterranean states. Muammar Gaddafi is the Arab world’s longest-serving leader. The colonel came to power in a bloodless coup in 1969 against the ailing King Idris I. Gaddafi was inspired by the late Egyptian leader Gamal Abdul Nasser, who dominated the Arab politics in the 1950s and 1960s. Gaddafi’s attempts to ride on Egypt Nasser’s dream of unifying other Arab States met with less success. Immediately after taking over the Country “Libya”, Gaddafi expelled more than 24,000 Italian, Ousted U.S. and British military forces, converted the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the Mosque of Gamal Abdul Nasser, nationalized foreign banks and squeezed higher royalties out of more than 35 oil companies operating in Libya. With all the oil money flowing into his pocket, Gaddafi paid up to $55 million annual subsidy to Egypt. Gaddafi has also been funding Jordan for the fight against Israel. After General Hafez Assad seized power in Syria, Gaddafi audaciously flew to Damascus, Syria, and reportedly left a $10 million dollars check as his personal support for the general. With a $10 million dollars check in the general’s pocket after a few hours visit, he had the unsetting experience of learning that a plane with Gaddafi aboard would buzz his capital and economy in few minutes. During Morocco’s abortive coup in 1971, Gaddafi offered King Hassan’s enemies military aid before he even knew what was happening or who the rebels were.

In the 1990s, he turned to Africa and proposed what he referred to as the “United States of Africa” but his covert activities/deeds in the region are quite different from his proposals.

Looking as far back as the 1970s, Gaddafi introduced the “Jamahiriya”-a system of Governance based around “people’s committees” and free of partisan politics in Libya. The formation of Jamahiriya sends a strong message to political pundit in Gaddafi’s range of politics in Libya. By the late 1980s, he had given up his official titles to become leader of the revolution while retaining absolute power.

In the mid-1980s, Gaddafi was widely regarded in the west as the principal financier of international terrorism. Reportedly, Gaddafi was a major supporter of the “black September movement” which perpetrated the Munich Massacre at the 1972 summer Olympics in Germany, and was accused by the United States of being responsible for the direct control of the 1986 Berlin bombing that killed three people and wounded more than 200. Gaddafi is also said to have paid “Carlos the Jackal” to kidnap and then release a number of Saudi Arabian and Iranian oil ministers.

Gaddafi in one of his usual covert activities in 1984 shot British police Yvonne Fletcher who was policing an anti Gaddafi demonstration outside of the Libyan embassy in London. According to British media reports, a burst of machine gun fire from the Libyan embassy was suspected of Killing Yvonne Fletcher, but Libyan diplomats asserted their diplomats immunity and were repatriated to Tripoli. Fletcher’s death incident led to the breaking off of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Libya for over a decade.

For most of the 1990s, Libya suffered economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation as a result of Gaddafi’s refusal to allow the extradition to the United States or Britain of two Libyans accused of planting a bomb on pan-am flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. Through the instrumentality of two of the continent’s most influential and high profile personalities “South Africa’s Nelson Mandela & Ghana’s Kofi Annan”, who visited Gaddafi and negotiated the turn over of the two fugitive, Gaddafi finally agreed to release the two fugitive in 1999 but under condition that the two would be handed over to Netherlands for trial under Scottish law.

Two years after Abdelbaset Ali & Mohammed Al Megrahi’s conviction, (in August 2003), Libya wrote the United Nations formally accepting responsibility for the actions of it citizens in respect of the Lockerbie bombing and agreed to pay compensation of up to $2.7 billion or up to $10 million per person to the families of the 270 victims of the bombing.

There have been some changes in Gaddafi’s politic for some time now. The most obvious was that the once wealthy Libya became much less wealthy when oil prices dropped significantly in the 1990s. At that time, Gaddafi tended to need other countries than usual and could not kick out of foreign aid as he did when oil market was booming. Other possibilities for some of his changes could also be the failure or refusal of his fellow Arabs to subscribe to his idea of Arab Unity, the various arms and revolutionary organizations he supported did not achieve their goals, and the demesne of the Soviet Union that left Gaddafi’s main symbolic target “the United States” stronger than he (Gaddafi) thought or could ever imagine.

In 2003, Gaddafi witnessed the digging out of one of his powerful and closest partners in crime “Iraq’s Saddam Hussein” by U.S. and allied forces in Iraq. The capture of Saddam broke Gaddafi down into extreme fear. He immediately announced that his country “Libya” had active weapons of mass destruction program but was willing to allow international inspectors (the request he had rejected for decades) into his country to observer and dismantle them. U.S. president George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Toni Blair, and other supporters of the Iraq war portrayed Gaddafi as fear for the future of his regime if he continued to be arrogant. Italian Prime Minister Silvia Berlusconi was quoted as saying that Gaddafi had privately called him about the offer to dismantle his “Gaddafi’s” weapon program.

Over the years, Gaddafi has supported a broad range of militant groups including “but not limited to” The Irish Republican Army, The Palestine Liberation, Libyan militant presence in Iraq, Libya’s involvement in several attacks in Europe which led to U.S. Military strike in Libya in 1986, Libya’s involvement in the Lockerbie bombing and many more.

Notable in his politics has been the support for liberation movements, and also sponsoring rebel movements around the very continent he pretend to be so very serious in unifying. In 1989, Gaddafi unleashed Charles Taylor on Liberia with the intention of destabilizing the entire sub-region. Charles Taylor’s rebellious virus soon spread in the sub-region, catching Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d’ Ivoire.

After destabilizing most of the West coast of the continent, Gaddafi is now pointing his bloody hand in different direction on the continent. He recently aligned with Kenya, Egypt and Zimbabwe. Gaddafi usually searches for strategy loopholes to use as a means of entry. He used politics, tribalism, religion and poverty to infiltrate the west coast of the continent and now he’s using trade to enter the East and other parts of the continent. Recently, a group of African countries agreed to adapt common external tariffs in an effort to boost trade and move towards a better customs union (BBC Africa). The refusal of countries like Angola, Ethiopia & Uganda to queue to the direction of Gaddafi, citing concerns about the possible impact on their economics was a smart move. Kenya and Zimbabwe either did not understand Gaddafi’s language or decided to take the risk at the detriment of the poor and opposition politicians in the countries. They “Kibaki & Mugabi” pretend to see tariff harmonization as a crucial step towards establishing a full customs union in the region. In few months, few of the signatories to the union are already torn apart by violent and election rigging. Kenya “once known for it peace and stability in the region” was recently seen in flames after Kibaki overtly rigged the elections observers said was won by opposition led by Odinga.

Zimbabwe’s Mugabi, another member of Gaddafi’s tariff union, is the most recent of election rigging battleground. The world is still witnessing the aftermath of Mugabi’s elections stealing while he (Mugabi) is busy arranging business with Gaddafi.

Deportation of other Africans from Libya

Another reason that makes Gaddafi’s deeds far from his rhetoric is the arrest, torture and deportation of other Africans from Libya. As far and much as I can recalled, Ghanaians, Nigerians and other African immigrants have been mishandled and deported from Libya while Gaddafi still fly around the continent preaching rhetoric. In June 1997, about 98 Ghanaians were arrested at various work places and detained for periods between two and three months. During the periods of their detention, according to some of the victims interviewed on local Ghanaian radio stations in Ghana, the detainees were tortured, dehumanized and later deported to Ghana by Libyan security forces.

In November of 2000, hundreds of African immigrants were arbitrarily rounded up in Libya. According to BBC, IRIN, the associated press and other international media, some immigrants were brutally killed to the hands of Libyan security forces. Their possessions were taken from them and later expelled from Libya. Embarrassed over the treatment of his citizens, Ghana’s then President, flight lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings personally flew to Tripoli to take delivery of his citizens aboard a special flight. I was among the group of people (in Accra) that went to witness the arrival of these Ghanaians from Libya.

In 2004, another batch amounting to 251 Ghanaians were again deported from Libya.

For decades now, Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s campaign to mount tele-guided regimes in various African countries has encountered series of frustrations but he still believed that the United States of Africa is a perquisite to African unity. The formation of “the United States of Africa” could be a good idea but the source of the idea remained widely questionable.

By: Sam K. Zinnah

szinnah@yahoo.com