…Former Supt. Says US$5,000 Already Raised
By: J. Baitermeayea Hilton III/ Cell # 077219227
The citizens of the Township of Central Virginia in Montserrado County residing in the United States of America will shortly renovate the only public government clinic, the Dr. Robert C.D. Marshall Memorial Clinic at the cost of 26,000.
Making the disclosure recently when he took the US Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Madame Brooks A. Robinson, on a guided tour of Clinic, former Montserrado County Superintendent Rupel E. Marshal Sr. senior told residents in the area that the Virginia Citizens Union, residing in the USA and have already raised the amount of US$5,000 to jump-start the clinic renovation project.
He said, the citizens have sent him, Mr. Marshal to Liberia to inform the people back home about the imitative that they have undertaken to start the renovation of the clinic that has been providing health service to the people of Virginia and its environs.
Former Superintendent Marshal has disclosed that they are hoping to generate the amount of 21,000 USD, through partnership with the citizens of Virginia in the USA and other international donor agencies within the country and outside Liberia.
During the tour of the facility, residents the area used the occasion to appeal to Madame Robinson for assistance in the renovation project. The community people said the clinic was damaged due to the 14 years of war.
In respond, Madame Brooks A. Robinson firstly applauded the citizens of the township both at home and abroad for the self-help initiative in their community.
The Deputy Chief of Mission of the American Embassy said the process of assisting them is to apply to the office of the USA Embassy near Monrovia through the office of Mr. Daniel F. Bovel, Jr., project coordinator at the embassy for the United States Ambassador’s special fund.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
TRC Gives Diagnoses & Recommendations!
…Final Report Points Out Imbalances
By: Bill K. Jarkloh
www.theperiscope.com/www.panwhanpe.com
Email: billkjarkloh@gmail.com /bill_ksolborjarkloh@yahoo.com
Call: (231)-6-468-244; (231)-77-544-286
The Truth & Reconciliation has release its final edited report containing 10 findings and determinations, 18 additional findings and 13 determinations with three a point-recommendation.
In its findings and determinations, the TRC holds in its final edited report that poverty, governance, its over centralization and the oppressive dominance of the Americo-Liberian oligarchy over the indigenous peoples’ rights and culture is a root cause of the conflict in Liberia, and pointed to the lack of any permanent or appropriate mechanism for the settlement of the disputes, the judiciary being week and unreliable, as the basis for the conflict.
The Commission also names the duality of the Liberian political, social and legal systems which polarizes and widens the disparities between the Liberian peoples – a chasm between settler and indigenous Liberians respectively as be a factor for the conflict, saying that ethnicity and divisive cluster is another determination for the root causes of the conflict.
The nine-member benched TRC considered as another root causes of the conflict, “Entrenched political and social system found on the privilege, patronage, politicization of the military and endemic corruption which created limited access to education and justice, economic and social opportunities and amenities.”
It says other root causes include “Unfair discrimination against women and denial of their rightful place in society as equal partners,” and “historical disputes over land acquisition, distribution and accessibility” as well as “Lack of clarity and understanding of Liberia’s history including its history of conflict.”
“Identity and the crisis of identity engender disunity and undermined Liberian patriotism and sense of nationhood” and “gradual breakdown of the family and loss of its traditional value system” are also considered one of the root causes of the conflict.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) has announced the release and publication of its final reports after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication.
Other 18 count-determination of the TRC points to, amongst others, the including the trace of the origin of the conflict to the history and the founding of a modern Liberian state, are also inclusive in the additional determination in which it was also said that all warring factions violated, degraded, abused and disintegrated, committed sexual and gender-based violence as well against women, including rape sexual slavery, forced marriage, and other dehumanizing forms of violations, amongst others.
The determinations hold that all warring faction are responsible for the commission of gross human rights violations, saying that prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction and other forms of public sanctions are appropriate mechanisms to promote the ends of justice peace and security and foster genuine national reconciliation and combat impunity, etc.
However, while saying both individual and community reparation is the duty of the state to promote justice and genuine reconciliation, the TRC determination furthered that where the determination of responsibility of IHRL, IHL, ICL do not apply.
Toward these ends, the TRC recommended that the people of Liberia adopt positive attitudes and change old mind set, calling on the government to fully and timely implement all recommendations contained in the report, including prosecution and public sanction against various categories of perpetrators. The TRC also implored the international community to continue and consider long term security engagement in the country amongst.
Meanwhile, a TRC release states that the report, which is an edited version of the “TRC FINAL REPORT, VOLUME II, and CONSOLIDATED REPORT (UNEDITED)”, was first released on June 30, 2009. At least 1,500 copies of the report is now in print, courtesy of funding provided by the UNDP.
The report, containing twenty-one (21) chapters and approximately 1,500 pages in all is published in three volumes as follows which include Volume I: Preliminary Report, presented to the government of Liberia December 20, 2008; Volume II: Consolidated Final Report, presented to the government of Liberia June 29, 2009; Volume III: Appendices containing thirteen (13) titles of supplemental and specialized reports.
Volume IV: Transcripts containing ten thousand pages of testimonies from TRC witnesses during the Survivors’ Hearings, Thematic and Institutional Hearings and the TRC Diaspora Hearings, remains unpublished.
According to a TRC press release issued December 1, 2009 in Monrovia, the report provides a historical analysis of the conflict in Liberia, the root causes of the conflict and 142 pieces of recommendations intended to redress Liberia’s legacy of conflict, dysfunction, massive human rights violations and promote national peace, unity and reconciliation.
In all, the report includes eight (8) recommendations for public sanctions and prosecution combined and another eight (8) pieces of recommendations relating to economic crimes.
The remaining total of 126 recommendations relate to a wide range of public interest issues including public integrity, corruption, human rights, economic empowerment, good governance, national identity and reparation, amongst others intended to resolve past conflicts as part of a national progression towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
The Report also contains a list of dead perpetrators, the names, nationalities and probable locations of 102 foreign fighters who operated in Liberia; 26 tables and 5 figures of TRC statistical information; a listing of 116 most notorious perpetrators recommended for prosecution by an Extraordinary Criminal Court and 58 perpetrators recommended for prosecution in the domestic courts of Liberia; public sanctions for 49 persons for their role in supporting, financially and otherwise, various warring factions.
Another 45 persons are recommended for economic crimes prosecution and 54 others recommended for further investigation into their activities related to economic crimes.
The TRC Release furthered that of the over 103,019 former combatants disarmed by the United Nations Mission in Liberia under its demobilization and disarmament programs, the report is recommending that a little over 7,000 face the “Palava Hut Program” as a community reconciliation initiative to build peace at the grass roots level, meaning that of the 103,019 documented perpetrators, 0.169% percent is being recommended for prosecution whilst 6.7% documented perpetrators have been identified to participate in the Palava Hut Program, as would those recommended for economic crimes prosecution and public sanctions on account of their support for various warring factions.
The release signed by TRC media department, quotes the TRC Chairman, Cllr Jerome J. Verdier as saying that the report “is dedicated to the evergreen memory of all those who lost their lives during the Liberian conflict, the children of tomorrow and all who dare to hope for a better Liberia”.
He said the completion of this exercise and the release of the report “marks the rebirth of a new Liberia in which all Liberians irrespective of their roles or experiences in the past will acknowledge the throes of the bitter past and unite for a peaceful and more prosperous Liberia”.
The TRC release called on Liberians to spare no efforts in working and praying for unity, peace, justice and reconciliation in Liberia while thanking the Almighty God for his benevolence to the nation and its people. The release concluded that the Report is published on the TRC website and will be disseminated locally and internationally.
The TRC, through the release, is thanking the government, its many partners, stakeholders and the people of Liberia for their support during this national enterprise. The TRC now awaits its formal retirement by the government of Liberia, the release concluded.
By: Bill K. Jarkloh
www.theperiscope.com/www.panwhanpe.com
Email: billkjarkloh@gmail.com /bill_ksolborjarkloh@yahoo.com
Call: (231)-6-468-244; (231)-77-544-286
The Truth & Reconciliation has release its final edited report containing 10 findings and determinations, 18 additional findings and 13 determinations with three a point-recommendation.
In its findings and determinations, the TRC holds in its final edited report that poverty, governance, its over centralization and the oppressive dominance of the Americo-Liberian oligarchy over the indigenous peoples’ rights and culture is a root cause of the conflict in Liberia, and pointed to the lack of any permanent or appropriate mechanism for the settlement of the disputes, the judiciary being week and unreliable, as the basis for the conflict.
The Commission also names the duality of the Liberian political, social and legal systems which polarizes and widens the disparities between the Liberian peoples – a chasm between settler and indigenous Liberians respectively as be a factor for the conflict, saying that ethnicity and divisive cluster is another determination for the root causes of the conflict.
The nine-member benched TRC considered as another root causes of the conflict, “Entrenched political and social system found on the privilege, patronage, politicization of the military and endemic corruption which created limited access to education and justice, economic and social opportunities and amenities.”
It says other root causes include “Unfair discrimination against women and denial of their rightful place in society as equal partners,” and “historical disputes over land acquisition, distribution and accessibility” as well as “Lack of clarity and understanding of Liberia’s history including its history of conflict.”
“Identity and the crisis of identity engender disunity and undermined Liberian patriotism and sense of nationhood” and “gradual breakdown of the family and loss of its traditional value system” are also considered one of the root causes of the conflict.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) has announced the release and publication of its final reports after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication.
Other 18 count-determination of the TRC points to, amongst others, the including the trace of the origin of the conflict to the history and the founding of a modern Liberian state, are also inclusive in the additional determination in which it was also said that all warring factions violated, degraded, abused and disintegrated, committed sexual and gender-based violence as well against women, including rape sexual slavery, forced marriage, and other dehumanizing forms of violations, amongst others.
The determinations hold that all warring faction are responsible for the commission of gross human rights violations, saying that prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction and other forms of public sanctions are appropriate mechanisms to promote the ends of justice peace and security and foster genuine national reconciliation and combat impunity, etc.
However, while saying both individual and community reparation is the duty of the state to promote justice and genuine reconciliation, the TRC determination furthered that where the determination of responsibility of IHRL, IHL, ICL do not apply.
Toward these ends, the TRC recommended that the people of Liberia adopt positive attitudes and change old mind set, calling on the government to fully and timely implement all recommendations contained in the report, including prosecution and public sanction against various categories of perpetrators. The TRC also implored the international community to continue and consider long term security engagement in the country amongst.
Meanwhile, a TRC release states that the report, which is an edited version of the “TRC FINAL REPORT, VOLUME II, and CONSOLIDATED REPORT (UNEDITED)”, was first released on June 30, 2009. At least 1,500 copies of the report is now in print, courtesy of funding provided by the UNDP.
The report, containing twenty-one (21) chapters and approximately 1,500 pages in all is published in three volumes as follows which include Volume I: Preliminary Report, presented to the government of Liberia December 20, 2008; Volume II: Consolidated Final Report, presented to the government of Liberia June 29, 2009; Volume III: Appendices containing thirteen (13) titles of supplemental and specialized reports.
Volume IV: Transcripts containing ten thousand pages of testimonies from TRC witnesses during the Survivors’ Hearings, Thematic and Institutional Hearings and the TRC Diaspora Hearings, remains unpublished.
According to a TRC press release issued December 1, 2009 in Monrovia, the report provides a historical analysis of the conflict in Liberia, the root causes of the conflict and 142 pieces of recommendations intended to redress Liberia’s legacy of conflict, dysfunction, massive human rights violations and promote national peace, unity and reconciliation.
In all, the report includes eight (8) recommendations for public sanctions and prosecution combined and another eight (8) pieces of recommendations relating to economic crimes.
The remaining total of 126 recommendations relate to a wide range of public interest issues including public integrity, corruption, human rights, economic empowerment, good governance, national identity and reparation, amongst others intended to resolve past conflicts as part of a national progression towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
The Report also contains a list of dead perpetrators, the names, nationalities and probable locations of 102 foreign fighters who operated in Liberia; 26 tables and 5 figures of TRC statistical information; a listing of 116 most notorious perpetrators recommended for prosecution by an Extraordinary Criminal Court and 58 perpetrators recommended for prosecution in the domestic courts of Liberia; public sanctions for 49 persons for their role in supporting, financially and otherwise, various warring factions.
Another 45 persons are recommended for economic crimes prosecution and 54 others recommended for further investigation into their activities related to economic crimes.
The TRC Release furthered that of the over 103,019 former combatants disarmed by the United Nations Mission in Liberia under its demobilization and disarmament programs, the report is recommending that a little over 7,000 face the “Palava Hut Program” as a community reconciliation initiative to build peace at the grass roots level, meaning that of the 103,019 documented perpetrators, 0.169% percent is being recommended for prosecution whilst 6.7% documented perpetrators have been identified to participate in the Palava Hut Program, as would those recommended for economic crimes prosecution and public sanctions on account of their support for various warring factions.
The release signed by TRC media department, quotes the TRC Chairman, Cllr Jerome J. Verdier as saying that the report “is dedicated to the evergreen memory of all those who lost their lives during the Liberian conflict, the children of tomorrow and all who dare to hope for a better Liberia”.
He said the completion of this exercise and the release of the report “marks the rebirth of a new Liberia in which all Liberians irrespective of their roles or experiences in the past will acknowledge the throes of the bitter past and unite for a peaceful and more prosperous Liberia”.
The TRC release called on Liberians to spare no efforts in working and praying for unity, peace, justice and reconciliation in Liberia while thanking the Almighty God for his benevolence to the nation and its people. The release concluded that the Report is published on the TRC website and will be disseminated locally and internationally.
The TRC, through the release, is thanking the government, its many partners, stakeholders and the people of Liberia for their support during this national enterprise. The TRC now awaits its formal retirement by the government of Liberia, the release concluded.
GOL Institutes Legal Actions
…To Reclaim Missions in Paris, Other Countries
In a bid to for the Government of Liberia reclaim its Missions abroad, Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele disclosed Wednesday that the government has embarked on legal processes aimed at reclaiming its several missions abroad, specifically in London, Belgium , Nairobi , Paris and Nigeria respectively, through a legal process.
The Foreign Minister also said former Liberian Ambassador Cllr. Winston Tubman and former Interim President Dr. Amos C. sawyer are helping with the legal process involving recovery of the Liberian Embassy in Paris, but dispelled reports that let the government did not accused Ambassador Tubman as “common Criminal” as reported in the a local daily.
Madam King-Akerele also said the specific Mission in dispute are London, Belgium, Nairobi, Paris and Nigeria Embassies respectively. She said government was reclaiming these embassies through a legal process.
“I’m not common criminal”
The former Liberian diplomat and politician Defended his character at a news conference Tuesday where he dispelled his involvement in the sale of the Liberian Embassy in the French Capital, Paris. “I’m not a common criminal. I was involved in no such act”, Counselor Tubman said Tuesday in Monrovia. However the Liberian jurist and diplomat however noted that he only provided a legal opinion on the matter.
He described the statement that the embassy has been sold as an overstatement on ground that ‘the Embassy is still there.’
He said he only rendered his legal opinion in his capacity as a Special Envoy and Minster of State in the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) at the time when a team of contractors who was carrying out a construction within the Embassy compound in Paris wanted to abandon the project immediately following the death of Former President Samuel Doe.
“I advised that they did continue because in my view that the fact that Doe had died didn’t mean that what the Government had agree had to stop”, he stressed. He said the abandonment of the project would have meant the damage of the Liberian Government property.
He explained that the project which was the construction of an apartment building was authorized by the late President Doe and the team of contractors was worried that a new government may not possibly continue with the construction.
Tubman, a presidential aspirant, was reacting to a National CHRONICLE newspaper report that Counselor Tubman, a former justice minister of Liberia and Special Envoy of the United Nations to Somalia, was involved in the sale of the Liberian Embassy building in the French Capital. The local daily continued by categorizing the former Liberian diplomat as a ‘common criminal’ in which it states that Counselor Tubman was later rewarded with the post of Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary-General to war-ravaged Somalia.
According to the daily, Counselor Tubman had earlier confirmed some months ago that Dr. Amos Sawyer, under whose transitional government he served as Special Envoy and Minister of State, was aware of the sale of the Liberian Embassy.
Foreign Minister Akerele, however, clarified that Government has never accused anyone of being common criminal in situation surrounding the Missions in question as reported by some local media houses.
The Liberian most senior diplomat made the assertions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she addressed local and foreign journalists. Addressing the press conference, Madam King-Akerele further disclosed that the investigations by her Ministry is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to make sure the country re-possesses her legitimate assets abroad.
Commenting on the Liberian Mission in Nairobi, Kenya and Nigeria respectively, the Minister said the Kenya and the Nigerian Anti-Corruption Commission were assisting the Liberian Government to the conduct probe regarding these missions.
She also mentioned renovation of properties, improvement of conditions in the Foreign Service, payment of Foreign Service Officers’ Arrears, training opportunities and staff rotation as part of the Ministry’s efforts.
Giving details on renovation work carried out by the Ministry, she said the Liberian Missions in Sweden, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone have been refurbished.
Inspectorate General Service re-launched
Foreign Minister Akerele also spoke on other varieties of issues, including the re-launch of the Inspectorate General Service specifically, Quarterly Reports, Increased Accountability & Transparency, introduction of New System of accountability with IT, Plugging loopholes within the Bureaux of Archives and Personnel respectively as well as the recall some Foreign Service Officers.
She said new guidelines have been issued regarding recruitment of Honorary Consuls for Liberia, adding that under the latest procedures, applications are received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and candidates are vetted by the National Security Agency (NSA) before selections are made as to who becomes Honorary Consul for Liberia.
In addressing the issue of plugging loopholes at the Home office, Minister king-Akerele said administration has taken several measures aimed at fighting corruption in government, disclosing that several employees were dismissed and suspended in connection with malpractices at the Ministry.
Minister King-Akerele said significant improvements have been achieved in the Liberian Foreign Service, including payment of arrears for Foreign Service Officers which are currently underway, besides providing training opportunities for Foreign Service Officers both at home and abroad.
She indicated that the Liberian government, in collaboration with UNDP, has also instituted a process of rotating personnel in the Foreign Service for experience and exposure purposes, stressing that 70% of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget was being spent on Foreign Service while 30% is expedited for the Home Office.
The Minister said a Foreign Service Officer identified as Bility was recalled home from Japan because of alleged involvement in malfeasance, but the staff involved has refused to return.
Minister King-Akerele then commented on the launch of the New Liberian Machine Readable Passport, which can be obtained at the Passport Section of the Ministry for US$50. She said Government is constraint to price the Passport at this cost, because of huge obligation reached by past administration with the printing company, Blackwell.
She also spoke on payment of arrears to international organizations including the African Union, ECOWAS, WHO, and others, Minister King-Akerele. On this, she said the government has made 50 percent payment of arrears owed the African Union, thus restoring Liberia’s voting right at the AU.
She further disclosed that Government was indebted to Swiss creditors which were being vigorously paid, enabling Liberia to re-open its Mission in Geneva since January this year, noting this is very important because Geneva is the international headquarters of important world bodies.
The Minister assured that efforts were underway to clear arrears with all international bodies.
In a bid to for the Government of Liberia reclaim its Missions abroad, Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele disclosed Wednesday that the government has embarked on legal processes aimed at reclaiming its several missions abroad, specifically in London, Belgium , Nairobi , Paris and Nigeria respectively, through a legal process.
The Foreign Minister also said former Liberian Ambassador Cllr. Winston Tubman and former Interim President Dr. Amos C. sawyer are helping with the legal process involving recovery of the Liberian Embassy in Paris, but dispelled reports that let the government did not accused Ambassador Tubman as “common Criminal” as reported in the a local daily.
Madam King-Akerele also said the specific Mission in dispute are London, Belgium, Nairobi, Paris and Nigeria Embassies respectively. She said government was reclaiming these embassies through a legal process.
“I’m not common criminal”
The former Liberian diplomat and politician Defended his character at a news conference Tuesday where he dispelled his involvement in the sale of the Liberian Embassy in the French Capital, Paris. “I’m not a common criminal. I was involved in no such act”, Counselor Tubman said Tuesday in Monrovia. However the Liberian jurist and diplomat however noted that he only provided a legal opinion on the matter.
He described the statement that the embassy has been sold as an overstatement on ground that ‘the Embassy is still there.’
He said he only rendered his legal opinion in his capacity as a Special Envoy and Minster of State in the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) at the time when a team of contractors who was carrying out a construction within the Embassy compound in Paris wanted to abandon the project immediately following the death of Former President Samuel Doe.
“I advised that they did continue because in my view that the fact that Doe had died didn’t mean that what the Government had agree had to stop”, he stressed. He said the abandonment of the project would have meant the damage of the Liberian Government property.
He explained that the project which was the construction of an apartment building was authorized by the late President Doe and the team of contractors was worried that a new government may not possibly continue with the construction.
Tubman, a presidential aspirant, was reacting to a National CHRONICLE newspaper report that Counselor Tubman, a former justice minister of Liberia and Special Envoy of the United Nations to Somalia, was involved in the sale of the Liberian Embassy building in the French Capital. The local daily continued by categorizing the former Liberian diplomat as a ‘common criminal’ in which it states that Counselor Tubman was later rewarded with the post of Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary-General to war-ravaged Somalia.
According to the daily, Counselor Tubman had earlier confirmed some months ago that Dr. Amos Sawyer, under whose transitional government he served as Special Envoy and Minister of State, was aware of the sale of the Liberian Embassy.
Foreign Minister Akerele, however, clarified that Government has never accused anyone of being common criminal in situation surrounding the Missions in question as reported by some local media houses.
The Liberian most senior diplomat made the assertions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she addressed local and foreign journalists. Addressing the press conference, Madam King-Akerele further disclosed that the investigations by her Ministry is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to make sure the country re-possesses her legitimate assets abroad.
Commenting on the Liberian Mission in Nairobi, Kenya and Nigeria respectively, the Minister said the Kenya and the Nigerian Anti-Corruption Commission were assisting the Liberian Government to the conduct probe regarding these missions.
She also mentioned renovation of properties, improvement of conditions in the Foreign Service, payment of Foreign Service Officers’ Arrears, training opportunities and staff rotation as part of the Ministry’s efforts.
Giving details on renovation work carried out by the Ministry, she said the Liberian Missions in Sweden, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone have been refurbished.
Inspectorate General Service re-launched
Foreign Minister Akerele also spoke on other varieties of issues, including the re-launch of the Inspectorate General Service specifically, Quarterly Reports, Increased Accountability & Transparency, introduction of New System of accountability with IT, Plugging loopholes within the Bureaux of Archives and Personnel respectively as well as the recall some Foreign Service Officers.
She said new guidelines have been issued regarding recruitment of Honorary Consuls for Liberia, adding that under the latest procedures, applications are received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and candidates are vetted by the National Security Agency (NSA) before selections are made as to who becomes Honorary Consul for Liberia.
In addressing the issue of plugging loopholes at the Home office, Minister king-Akerele said administration has taken several measures aimed at fighting corruption in government, disclosing that several employees were dismissed and suspended in connection with malpractices at the Ministry.
Minister King-Akerele said significant improvements have been achieved in the Liberian Foreign Service, including payment of arrears for Foreign Service Officers which are currently underway, besides providing training opportunities for Foreign Service Officers both at home and abroad.
She indicated that the Liberian government, in collaboration with UNDP, has also instituted a process of rotating personnel in the Foreign Service for experience and exposure purposes, stressing that 70% of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget was being spent on Foreign Service while 30% is expedited for the Home Office.
The Minister said a Foreign Service Officer identified as Bility was recalled home from Japan because of alleged involvement in malfeasance, but the staff involved has refused to return.
Minister King-Akerele then commented on the launch of the New Liberian Machine Readable Passport, which can be obtained at the Passport Section of the Ministry for US$50. She said Government is constraint to price the Passport at this cost, because of huge obligation reached by past administration with the printing company, Blackwell.
She also spoke on payment of arrears to international organizations including the African Union, ECOWAS, WHO, and others, Minister King-Akerele. On this, she said the government has made 50 percent payment of arrears owed the African Union, thus restoring Liberia’s voting right at the AU.
She further disclosed that Government was indebted to Swiss creditors which were being vigorously paid, enabling Liberia to re-open its Mission in Geneva since January this year, noting this is very important because Geneva is the international headquarters of important world bodies.
The Minister assured that efforts were underway to clear arrears with all international bodies.
TRC Didn’t Sanction “The President”
…Verdier Clarifies; Presents Final Report With Additional Names
By: Bill K. Jarkloh
www.theperiscope.com/www.panwhanpe.com
Email: billkjarkloh@gmail.com /bill_ksolborjarkloh@yahoo.com
Call: (231)-6-468-244; (231)-77-544-286
Although there was no alteration in the lists of categories of perpetrators contained in the Undited Final Report of Liberia’s Truth & reconciliation Commission, the Chairman of the TRC, Cllr. Jerome Verdier at the official presentation of the Commission’s Final Edited Report clarified that the TRC report did not sanction the “President of Liberia”.
Cllr. Verdier, flanked by two other commissioners of the TRC, Commissioners John Stewart and Gerald Coleman, said the TRC’s Edited Final Report (https://www.trcofliberia.org) recommended sanctions against individuals for their respective roles in the Liberian political platform from 1979 to 2003 as per the mandate of the commission.
Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, while releasing its final edited report Tuesday, said it has added more names to the "Most Notorious Perpetrators, Public Sanctions, and Economic Crimes" lists it had published earlier in its "unedited final report,” Chairman Verdier did not name those added to the lists.
However, it was hinted by insiders the listing of former Maryland County Superintendent and Internal Affairs Minister Dan Morias; NPFL leader Charles Taylor’s close associate and chief strategist John T. Richardson; former Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Taylor administration, Nyondueh Monokomanah; and Benedict and Tiagan Wontee, were amongst those added to the "Most Notorious Perpetrators" list. Others listed on the list have been identified as Edwin Voker, Charles Breeze, Gola Red, Joseph Montgomery, Moses Samukai, and Momolu Jibba.
Edward Massaquoi, Wilfred Clarke, and Cllr. Momo Kpaka Rogers, amongst many others, were added to the "Lustration and Debarment from Holding Public Office" list. TRC also added Roland Massaquoi, former Agriculture Minister under the Taylor administration; Nathanial Barnes, Liberia's Ambassador to the US who served as finance minister in the Taylor government; Myrtle Gibson, former Senator of Sinoe County; Mark Keshen, and Bell Dunbar, former director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation (LPRC), to the list of those accused of economic crimes.
Only two percent accountable
The TRC Chairman indicated that out of the several hundreds of persons that participated in the Liberian civil conflict, only 300 of them have been held accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity and others, a figure which he noted is just two percent of the total number of perpetrators.
The recommendations in the final report, Chairman Verdier further indicated, take into consideration the resources spent by the international community, the flood of those killed by perpetrators and buried in mass graves and the concerted engaged by all to ensure that impunity does not overtake Liberia.
According to him, now that the final edited report of the TRC is submitted, it behooves the Liberian people to ensure its implementation by engaging their representatives in the government. “It is now left with the people. If they people say the report should be brushed aside, it will be. If the people say those buried in mass graves should be for nothing, it should be. If the people wants women raped and abused, children drugged and fathers killed should go without impunity, then it will be. Or if we Liberians agree our resources plundered by perpetrators should be for nothing, then so it be,” Chairman Verdier exclaimed.
He however said it would concern him as any other peace-loving compatriots because Liberia is his country and he has nowhere to be called his home. Commissioner Verdier told newsmen that the TRC had information on those added to the list prior to the editing and finalization of the consolidated final report. Chairman Verdier, flanked by two of nine commissioners - Gerald Coleman and John Stewart both of whom were members of the report writing committee - also revealed that the Commission has added 100 names of foreign fighters to that of the previous list, ascribing to them mercenaries title.
According to Chairman Verdier, the commission whose three-year mandate ended some five months ago, was able to compile the report in three volumes with Volume One being the preliminary report presented in December 2008; Volume Two being the Consolidated Final Report released in June of this year; and Volume Three being a set of appendices attached to the overall report which included detailed and specialized report on the issues of women, children, and conflict, amongst others.
Sourced documents for achieve
Commenting on what should be done to preserve other important work germane to Liberia, he said there were sourced documents generated over the years that needed to be properly archived , stressing "It is the plan and intention of the Commission to have them properly archived."
"Experts have come and told us that the papers we used to record those documents will not last more than five years. So it has been planned to have them digitized so that they will be in electronic form and they can be preserved for all us to view, to research in the future," Cllr. Verdier told the news conference attended by interested international partners.
The Consolidated Final Report released by the commission, according to Chairman Verdier, has not been subjected to alterations as many have at least thought, noting "the edited version is in no significant way different from the previous report".
"They are one and the same report. But what we did is we corrected some grammatical and structural errors. During the period of editing, we didn't do any new investigation; we did not take any new information or evidence; we did not hold hearings; we did not cite anybody. We only worked based on the information we already had at the time the unedited version was released. So all of those mistakes, all of that information that was left out of that report were included," he said.
Significance of final report
Apparently fearing fierce public reaction to the final report, as there is already an ongoing heated national debate, Chairman Verdier said it was important that Liberians understand the perspective from which the report was compiled.
The final report comes months after the release of the second volume of the commission’s report entitled unedited that caused stir in Liberia with many, mainly politicians recommended to face prosecution and other forms of punishments expressing indignation at the report.
Cllr. Jerome Verdier, Chairman of the TRC releasing the final report Tuesday in Monrovia said the commission is satisfied with the final work and it is now left with the Liberian people to decide what to be done with the in-depth investigation.
“The report of the TRC has been released and here we have copies, the process of dissemination has begun and at the TRC we have dedicated the report to the people of Liberia. That the report is the people of Liberia property”, Cllr. Verdier officially released the final TRC report.
In what was seen as a tribute to the thousands that died during the nearly 15 year fratricidal civil war fought in Liberia, Cllr. Verdier dedicated the report to victims of the civil crisis.
“This report belongs to all of those who died, all of those who as a consequence of the war are buried today in unmarked graves, all of those who have lost potential sources of income or to earn income, all of those who have lost their properties and all of us who are today hoping for a better Liberia”, Cllr. Verdier accentuated.
The report of the TRC, he said is written in three volumes-volume one containing the preliminary report presented December 2008, the second being the consolidated final report released last June and the final volume a set of appendices that are attached to the report that include detail studies and specialized reports on issues regarding women, children and the Liberian conflict.
He described the final report as comprehensive and a credible document that will help Liberia attain genuine peace and reconciliation if the recommendations contained within are implemented.
“What you have is a comprehensive work of the TRC that is being presented to the people of Liberia today. We regret that because of time and the lack of resources, there are three other volumes that should have been attached to this that are not included in the report because we did have the time and the resources to that”, Cllr. Verdier stated.
Another volume of the TRC work, volume four, Commissioner Verdier said is unpublished because of resource constraints, indicating that the final volume contains 10,000 pages of transcripts from the hearings carried out by the commission in Liberia and the Diaspora.
Cllr. Verdier indicated that experts have disclosed that the papers used by the commission have a lifespan of just five years and the commission is looking forward for support to digitize the report to be used for future research and other purposes.
The final report he said is in no significant way different from the previous one released in June but there were grammatical errors and structural problems that were corrected.
“During the period of editing, we did not do any new investigation, we did not take any new information or evidence, we did not hold hearings, we did not cite anybody”, Cllr. Verdier explained
By: Bill K. Jarkloh
www.theperiscope.com/www.panwhanpe.com
Email: billkjarkloh@gmail.com /bill_ksolborjarkloh@yahoo.com
Call: (231)-6-468-244; (231)-77-544-286
Although there was no alteration in the lists of categories of perpetrators contained in the Undited Final Report of Liberia’s Truth & reconciliation Commission, the Chairman of the TRC, Cllr. Jerome Verdier at the official presentation of the Commission’s Final Edited Report clarified that the TRC report did not sanction the “President of Liberia”.
Cllr. Verdier, flanked by two other commissioners of the TRC, Commissioners John Stewart and Gerald Coleman, said the TRC’s Edited Final Report (https://www.trcofliberia.org) recommended sanctions against individuals for their respective roles in the Liberian political platform from 1979 to 2003 as per the mandate of the commission.
Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, while releasing its final edited report Tuesday, said it has added more names to the "Most Notorious Perpetrators, Public Sanctions, and Economic Crimes" lists it had published earlier in its "unedited final report,” Chairman Verdier did not name those added to the lists.
However, it was hinted by insiders the listing of former Maryland County Superintendent and Internal Affairs Minister Dan Morias; NPFL leader Charles Taylor’s close associate and chief strategist John T. Richardson; former Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Taylor administration, Nyondueh Monokomanah; and Benedict and Tiagan Wontee, were amongst those added to the "Most Notorious Perpetrators" list. Others listed on the list have been identified as Edwin Voker, Charles Breeze, Gola Red, Joseph Montgomery, Moses Samukai, and Momolu Jibba.
Edward Massaquoi, Wilfred Clarke, and Cllr. Momo Kpaka Rogers, amongst many others, were added to the "Lustration and Debarment from Holding Public Office" list. TRC also added Roland Massaquoi, former Agriculture Minister under the Taylor administration; Nathanial Barnes, Liberia's Ambassador to the US who served as finance minister in the Taylor government; Myrtle Gibson, former Senator of Sinoe County; Mark Keshen, and Bell Dunbar, former director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation (LPRC), to the list of those accused of economic crimes.
Only two percent accountable
The TRC Chairman indicated that out of the several hundreds of persons that participated in the Liberian civil conflict, only 300 of them have been held accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity and others, a figure which he noted is just two percent of the total number of perpetrators.
The recommendations in the final report, Chairman Verdier further indicated, take into consideration the resources spent by the international community, the flood of those killed by perpetrators and buried in mass graves and the concerted engaged by all to ensure that impunity does not overtake Liberia.
According to him, now that the final edited report of the TRC is submitted, it behooves the Liberian people to ensure its implementation by engaging their representatives in the government. “It is now left with the people. If they people say the report should be brushed aside, it will be. If the people say those buried in mass graves should be for nothing, it should be. If the people wants women raped and abused, children drugged and fathers killed should go without impunity, then it will be. Or if we Liberians agree our resources plundered by perpetrators should be for nothing, then so it be,” Chairman Verdier exclaimed.
He however said it would concern him as any other peace-loving compatriots because Liberia is his country and he has nowhere to be called his home. Commissioner Verdier told newsmen that the TRC had information on those added to the list prior to the editing and finalization of the consolidated final report. Chairman Verdier, flanked by two of nine commissioners - Gerald Coleman and John Stewart both of whom were members of the report writing committee - also revealed that the Commission has added 100 names of foreign fighters to that of the previous list, ascribing to them mercenaries title.
According to Chairman Verdier, the commission whose three-year mandate ended some five months ago, was able to compile the report in three volumes with Volume One being the preliminary report presented in December 2008; Volume Two being the Consolidated Final Report released in June of this year; and Volume Three being a set of appendices attached to the overall report which included detailed and specialized report on the issues of women, children, and conflict, amongst others.
Sourced documents for achieve
Commenting on what should be done to preserve other important work germane to Liberia, he said there were sourced documents generated over the years that needed to be properly archived , stressing "It is the plan and intention of the Commission to have them properly archived."
"Experts have come and told us that the papers we used to record those documents will not last more than five years. So it has been planned to have them digitized so that they will be in electronic form and they can be preserved for all us to view, to research in the future," Cllr. Verdier told the news conference attended by interested international partners.
The Consolidated Final Report released by the commission, according to Chairman Verdier, has not been subjected to alterations as many have at least thought, noting "the edited version is in no significant way different from the previous report".
"They are one and the same report. But what we did is we corrected some grammatical and structural errors. During the period of editing, we didn't do any new investigation; we did not take any new information or evidence; we did not hold hearings; we did not cite anybody. We only worked based on the information we already had at the time the unedited version was released. So all of those mistakes, all of that information that was left out of that report were included," he said.
Significance of final report
Apparently fearing fierce public reaction to the final report, as there is already an ongoing heated national debate, Chairman Verdier said it was important that Liberians understand the perspective from which the report was compiled.
The final report comes months after the release of the second volume of the commission’s report entitled unedited that caused stir in Liberia with many, mainly politicians recommended to face prosecution and other forms of punishments expressing indignation at the report.
Cllr. Jerome Verdier, Chairman of the TRC releasing the final report Tuesday in Monrovia said the commission is satisfied with the final work and it is now left with the Liberian people to decide what to be done with the in-depth investigation.
“The report of the TRC has been released and here we have copies, the process of dissemination has begun and at the TRC we have dedicated the report to the people of Liberia. That the report is the people of Liberia property”, Cllr. Verdier officially released the final TRC report.
In what was seen as a tribute to the thousands that died during the nearly 15 year fratricidal civil war fought in Liberia, Cllr. Verdier dedicated the report to victims of the civil crisis.
“This report belongs to all of those who died, all of those who as a consequence of the war are buried today in unmarked graves, all of those who have lost potential sources of income or to earn income, all of those who have lost their properties and all of us who are today hoping for a better Liberia”, Cllr. Verdier accentuated.
The report of the TRC, he said is written in three volumes-volume one containing the preliminary report presented December 2008, the second being the consolidated final report released last June and the final volume a set of appendices that are attached to the report that include detail studies and specialized reports on issues regarding women, children and the Liberian conflict.
He described the final report as comprehensive and a credible document that will help Liberia attain genuine peace and reconciliation if the recommendations contained within are implemented.
“What you have is a comprehensive work of the TRC that is being presented to the people of Liberia today. We regret that because of time and the lack of resources, there are three other volumes that should have been attached to this that are not included in the report because we did have the time and the resources to that”, Cllr. Verdier stated.
Another volume of the TRC work, volume four, Commissioner Verdier said is unpublished because of resource constraints, indicating that the final volume contains 10,000 pages of transcripts from the hearings carried out by the commission in Liberia and the Diaspora.
Cllr. Verdier indicated that experts have disclosed that the papers used by the commission have a lifespan of just five years and the commission is looking forward for support to digitize the report to be used for future research and other purposes.
The final report he said is in no significant way different from the previous one released in June but there were grammatical errors and structural problems that were corrected.
“During the period of editing, we did not do any new investigation, we did not take any new information or evidence, we did not hold hearings, we did not cite anybody”, Cllr. Verdier explained
Press Union of Liberia Alarms at Justice Ministry’s Chicanery
-Freedom of Information and Other Media Laws Stymied in Parliament
(Monrovia - 20 August 2009) The Press Union of Liberia says it has been reliably informed that the Justice Ministry is requesting the withdrawal of the three bills currently before the Legislature for its input.
PUL in a reaction says it is utterly dismay that the Liberian Government would raise such arguments at this time after so much work and resources have been put into the drafting of the laws with the full participation of the Ministries of Information and Justice.
While charging the House Committee on Information for the unwarranted delay in reintroducing the bill in plenary, the Union says the latest development exposes the government’s deception to the partnership on the laws and seems to be a part of a larger conspiracy to lock the bills in committee room.
The Union reveals that it will not withdraw the laws, but if the Justice Ministry has any additional inputs to make to the laws, they have the option to do so through the legislature and forget about the bills been withdrawn.
The Union says it is aware of the counter lobby against the bills by people who want to protect their vested interest and was not altogether surprised by the distraction from the Justice Ministry.
The statement reminded the lawmakers of the challenge to them from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to ensure that the democratic process works and calls on the legislature to stop sleeping on very important bills that speak to the democratic governance of the country.
The Union argues that The Freedom of Information Act, The Independent Broadcast Regulator and the Bill to transform to a Public Service Broadcaster which were submitted to the legislature since last April, are not for the exclusive empowerment of the media and should be seen as a compliment to government’s efforts for greater openness and accountability.
In a separate development, the PUL has commended President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for appointing one of its former officials – Cllr. Bedor Wla Freeman to serve as Chairman on the National Human Rights Commission.
Though it acknowledges the composition of the entire Commission, the Union says it is particularly honored that President Sirleaf would recognize the exemplary qualities of Cllr. Freeman to choose him from among other qualified Liberians for this very critical national assignment.
“We congratulate the former President for his preferment, but urges Cllr. Freeman to live up the confidence and refuse to be drawn into
(Monrovia - 20 August 2009) The Press Union of Liberia says it has been reliably informed that the Justice Ministry is requesting the withdrawal of the three bills currently before the Legislature for its input.
PUL in a reaction says it is utterly dismay that the Liberian Government would raise such arguments at this time after so much work and resources have been put into the drafting of the laws with the full participation of the Ministries of Information and Justice.
While charging the House Committee on Information for the unwarranted delay in reintroducing the bill in plenary, the Union says the latest development exposes the government’s deception to the partnership on the laws and seems to be a part of a larger conspiracy to lock the bills in committee room.
The Union reveals that it will not withdraw the laws, but if the Justice Ministry has any additional inputs to make to the laws, they have the option to do so through the legislature and forget about the bills been withdrawn.
The Union says it is aware of the counter lobby against the bills by people who want to protect their vested interest and was not altogether surprised by the distraction from the Justice Ministry.
The statement reminded the lawmakers of the challenge to them from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to ensure that the democratic process works and calls on the legislature to stop sleeping on very important bills that speak to the democratic governance of the country.
The Union argues that The Freedom of Information Act, The Independent Broadcast Regulator and the Bill to transform to a Public Service Broadcaster which were submitted to the legislature since last April, are not for the exclusive empowerment of the media and should be seen as a compliment to government’s efforts for greater openness and accountability.
In a separate development, the PUL has commended President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for appointing one of its former officials – Cllr. Bedor Wla Freeman to serve as Chairman on the National Human Rights Commission.
Though it acknowledges the composition of the entire Commission, the Union says it is particularly honored that President Sirleaf would recognize the exemplary qualities of Cllr. Freeman to choose him from among other qualified Liberians for this very critical national assignment.
“We congratulate the former President for his preferment, but urges Cllr. Freeman to live up the confidence and refuse to be drawn into
Monday, December 7, 2009
Opposition Alliance Killed Before Birth!
Rivalry Over Presidential Candidacy Begin Ahead of 2011
The political merger amongst key opposition parties has started to face a predicament with the introduction of a simmering rivalry on who should ride on the ticket for president in the ensuing 2011 presidential contest, as Weah has started saying popularity is strength in determination of that lead candidate while Winston Tubman of the Liberia National Union (LINU) is contending that Weah needs to be nurtured for another term and not 2011; writes Bill K . Jarkloh
Inevitably, the fact a putting up an opposition alliance could inject a huge amount of fear in the incumbent Unity Party’s presidential candidate and could mean a defeat of the ruling party patterned after the just ended Montserrado County Senatorial by-election in which the unique merger of the opposition gained a narrow victory for the Congress for Democratic Change’s Geraldine Doe-Sheriff against her incumbent party opponent, Clemenceau Blayon Urey of the Unity Party at the polls.
But with his doubt on the minds of many regarding who goes first or second in a possible political merger between Weah’s CDC, Tubman’s LINU and Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, Weah, the most popular but inexperienced of the three has let the cat out of the bag and bluntly declared that the party with the most popularity will produce the presidential candidate in any case of a merger of opposition political parties.
Already, Cllr. Tubman of LINU is on record saying it would be a good political decision for Weah to become a vice presidential candidate to him where Weah will have an opportunity to be nurtured over six years and later ascend to the presidency, ushering a young President, with experience acquired over six years period.
Cllr. Tubman said he has held several discussions with his counterpart-Weah from the CDC and the issue of who heads a ticket after political merger is no obstacle. He noted that the dream by Cllr. Tubman led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CDC and LINU in Accra, Ghana early this year where the two parties agreed to form a common front come 2011 general and presidential elections.
The debate has been ongoing with talks that Weah is a very ambitious person and may not accept to run as vice presidential candidate to Tubman, Brumskine or whosoever come 2011 with other views expressed that Weah could give in to these big names and be afforded the opportunity to gain experience.
But his position is a contradiction of Weah’s stance on the merger as he alluded to popularity as a criterion for the presidential bid in the opposition camp.
“The possibility exists for everybody to be vice president or president. But as I said, we have not reached that point yet. We are discussing which is first and which is second. When we reach to that point, my party knows what it wants,” Weah told a local media outlet.
The Liberian football legend who is struggling to make politics a second and permanent career declared however that his CDC has the number. “But if we have the numbers, then definitely we must go first. If your party doesn’t have the strength, it just has to join. But like I said, we haven’t reached that point. But everyone is ambitious. Once you are in a democracy and leading a political party and have a particular goal, you have to be ambitious”, Weah stated.
With Weah’s CDC undoubtedly the most popular opposition political party in Liberia and judging from his statement, there is clear hint that Weah may not accept to be a vice presidential running mate to Tubman from the LINU or Brumskine from the Liberty Party, the two other strong but relatively less parties as compared to the CDC.
Invariably, however, if Weah’s statement of popularity being strength for the first partisan in the case of opposition party should mean the basis for the merger, it translates that the political [parties of Tubman and Brumskine are to work overtime recruiting members that will override the strength of the CDC if any of the two should subordinate Weah to a running make in deriving the presidential candidacy of the opposition alliance to stand against the incumbent Unity Party in the race for the Executive mansion 2011.
The CDC’s standard bearer in the 2005 presidential election however acknowledged talk of political marriage between opposition political parties and pledged his CDC’s support to the ongoing discussions, describing it as the best way for peaceful political transition from the UP led government to a new regime.
“We are grateful that during the second round, almost all of the parties came to us. That marriage shows CDC will work with the other opposition parties. Of course in 2005 people felt that they went to the other side. But coming to us during the by-election shows that they are willing to work with us. We’ll do all of our best to collaborate’, Weah noted. He described the talks of political marriage as a good beginning and disclosed that the talk is taking into consideration the interest of all of the parties involved.
Conjecturing that they have not reach the point of rivalry over who should be the opposition merger’s first partisan and the running mate, Weah said, “… The fact that all of the political parties are coming to us, we just have to embrace them. This is important. We have to discuss everybody’s interest. Everybody has a stake in it. But again, we are open to every discussion because one political party in this country can’t win elections. We must win. We are a young and new party and need the support of everyone. Now, we have the support of almost everybody.”
Inevitably, the fact a putting up an opposition alliance could inject a huge amount of fear in the incumbent Unity Party’s presidential candidate and could mean a defeat of the ruling party patterned after the just ended Montserrado County Senatorial by-election in which the unique merger of the opposition gained a narrow victory for the Congress for Democratic Change’s Geraldine Doe-Sheriff against her incumbent party opponent, Clemenceau Blayon Urey of the Unity Party at the polls.
But with his doubt on the minds of many regarding who goes first or second in a possible political merger between Weah’s CDC, Tubman’s LINU and Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, Weah, the most popular but inexperienced of the three has let the cat out of the bag and bluntly declared that the party with the most popularity will produce the presidential candidate in any case of a merger of opposition political parties.
Already, Cllr. Tubman of LINU is on record saying it would be a good political decision for Weah to become a vice presidential candidate to him where Weah will have an opportunity to be nurtured over six years and later ascend to the presidency, ushering a young President, with experience acquired over six years period.
Cllr. Tubman said he has held several discussions with his counterpart-Weah from the CDC and the issue of who heads a ticket after political merger is no obstacle. He noted that the dream by Cllr. Tubman led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CDC and LINU in Accra, Ghana early this year where the two parties agreed to form a common front come 2011 general and presidential elections.
The debate has been ongoing with talks that Weah is a very ambitious person and may not accept to run as vice presidential candidate to Tubman, Brumskine or whosoever come 2011 with other views expressed that Weah could give in to these big names and be afforded the opportunity to gain experience.
But his position is a contradiction of Weah’s stance on the merger as he alluded to popularity as a criterion for the presidential bid in the opposition camp.
“The possibility exists for everybody to be vice president or president. But as I said, we have not reached that point yet. We are discussing which is first and which is second. When we reach to that point, my party knows what it wants,” Weah told a local media outlet.
The Liberian football legend who is struggling to make politics a second and permanent career declared however that his CDC has the number. “But if we have the numbers, then definitely we must go first. If your party doesn’t have the strength, it just has to join. But like I said, we haven’t reached that point. But everyone is ambitious. Once you are in a democracy and leading a political party and have a particular goal, you have to be ambitious”, Weah stated.
With Weah’s CDC undoubtedly the most popular opposition political party in Liberia and judging from his statement, there is clear hint that Weah may not accept to be a vice presidential running mate to Tubman from the LINU or Brumskine from the Liberty Party, the two other strong but relatively less parties as compared to the CDC.
Invariably, however, if Weah’s statement of popularity being strength for the first partisan in the case of opposition party should mean the basis for the merger, it translates that the political [parties of Tubman and Brumskine are to work overtime recruiting members that will override the strength of the CDC if any of the two should subordinate Weah to a running make in deriving the presidential candidacy of the opposition alliance to stand against the incumbent Unity Party in the race for the Executive mansion 2011.
The CDC’s standard bearer in the 2005 presidential election however acknowledged talk of political marriage between opposition political parties and pledged his CDC’s support to the ongoing discussions, describing it as the best way for peaceful political transition from the UP led government to a new regime.
“We are grateful that during the second round, almost all of the parties came to us. That marriage shows CDC will work with the other opposition parties. Of course in 2005 people felt that they went to the other side. But coming to us during the by-election shows that they are willing to work with us. We’ll do all of our best to collaborate’, Weah noted. He described the talks of political marriage as a good beginning and disclosed that the talk is taking into consideration the interest of all of the parties involved.
Conjecturing that they have not reach the point of rivalry over who should be the opposition merger’s first partisan and the running mate, Weah said, “… The fact that all of the political parties are coming to us, we just have to embrace them. This is important. We have to discuss everybody’s interest. Everybody has a stake in it. But again, we are open to every discussion because one political party in this country can’t win elections. We must win. We are a young and new party and need the support of everyone. Now, we have the support of almost everybody.”
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