Chea Cheapoo: "I Will Become Next Rebel Leader"
...Former chief justice calls on Liberians to resist rigged elections
By Jay Nagbe Sloh
Managing Editor
Philadelphia, Pa, 02/02/03 (SIS) - A former Chief Justice of Liberia has announced he will become the next rebel leader in war-ravaged Liberia if the country's current president, Charles Taylor, rigs the elections scheduled for October 14, 2003 and succeeds himself.
Counselor Chea Cheapoo, also a former Liberian minister of justice and attorney general, said judging from prevailing political conditions in Liberia, "it is clear that president Taylor is unwilling to make fundamental reforms to ensure a level playing field in the up-coming elections."
He called on the Liberian people to "become rebels if Taylor steals the election." The controversial lawyer made the remarks Saturday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he served as guest speaker at programs for the installation of officers of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), a grouping of Liberian journalists in the tri-state area of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
"President Taylor has no interest in rebuilding Liberia since he took office. Further, his regime is more repressive politically and unprogressive economically more than any other Liberian president I know or read about," he claimed. The former Liberian senator told his audience, which included LURD rebel leader Joe Wylie, that "unless the necessary reforms are made in Liberia, participating in an election arranged and controlled by an elections commission appointed by Taylor will only lend legitimacy to an already rigged election.
On the topic "Liberia: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow," Cheapoo said Liberia's tomorrow is bleak with a tyrant sitting in the Liberian presidential mansion, terrorizing the entire sub region. He called on Liberians to "press for power and take control of their country from Taylor by staying away from any bogus election lacking fair play and masterminded by Taylor." He said "if Taylor goes ahead with a fake election in any event, Liberians must not recognize the results of said fake election as citizens but rather organize a provisional government to put in place the appropriate fundamental reforms for democratic elections within a year."
On Liberia's past, Cheapoo said Liberia's successive governments from 1822 to 1980 were politically undemocratic and repressive and economically regressive. He said even the overthrow of the settlers by the natives in 1980 did not introduce much change in the operation of government. He said when Doe seized power in 1980, he had no special abilities in identifying his enemies, thereby putting his trust in Charles Taylor who stole a million dollars from the government as director-general of the General Services Agency and later overthrew Doe by force of arms."
Also making remarks at the occasion, the National Chairman of the Coalition of Progressive Liberians in the Americas (COPLA), Mr. Bodioh Wisseh Siapoe, stoned the audience with a disclosure that his organization had credible evidence that ballot papers and boxes for the ensuing election had already been ordered, printed, and filled out in favor of Taylor's party, and were being hidden in the interior of Liberia.
Mr. Siapoe said the ballot boxes were recently removed from one location to another, after COPLA raised the initial alarm from credible information it had gathered from Liberia and outside the country where they were printed.
Journalist Hassan Bility, who was recently flown out of Liberia by the U.S. government after spending six months in various criminal cells and other detention places throughout Liberia, explained his ordeal to the audience.
He said when he was first arrested, he was taken to President Taylor's house in the middle of the night, where Taylor, flanked by his security chiefs, personally coerced him to confess to operating rebel LURD cells in Monrovia, and to also implicate Catholic Bishop Michael Francis and some prominent Liberian politicians in activities of LURD rebels.
Bility said during his six-month detention, he was held under horrible conditions at various points, including at the war front, by lawless Liberian government forces. The Moslem sent the crowd wailing when he disclosed that at one of his detention points, he was made to drink undiluted Dewar whisky while, at another point, he was detained for a week in a hole half filled with dirty water.
Bility expressed appreciation to the U.S. government, Amnesty International, ALJA, and other institutions and individuals who helped secure his release.
ALJA National President Cyrus Badio, in remarks, disagreed with calls for violence in Liberia. He said the guns that should have liberated us from one tyrant to another have always done the opposite, enslaving us.
Badio called for unity among politicians and ordinary Liberians in tackling the political problems of the country. He said other African countries have effected democratic changes by peaceful means, and Liberians can do the same.
Those installed by Mrs. Judi Bernstein-Baker, a prominent Philadelphia-based immigration lawyer, were Massa Washington, Chairman; Bentt Chea, Vice Chairman; Moses Sandy, Secretary-General; and Gardea Woodson, Treasurer.
Messrs. J. Nagbe Sloh and J. Kpankoi Jallah were also installed as members of the Administrative Board, the legislative arm of the organization.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Liberia
3 More "Presidents" Surface
...Who Will Win Liberia's Presidency?
By J. Nagbe Sloh
Managing Editor
Sloh Information Service
Philadelphia, Pa, 04/15/04 (SIS) - The date for Liberia's presidential and general elections remains uncertain, but the list of presidential hopefuls gets longer and longer while, interestingly, the country remains bankrupt for legislative candidates. The newest names in the presidential theater are former deputy Information Minister J. Milton Teahjay, former Foreign Minister Lewis G. Brown, and former National Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Soko Brown.
Already, the three presidential hopefuls have reportedly organized exploratory campaign committees and taken other actions to enter the crowdy race to Liberia's Executive Mansion.
On Sunday, May 9, 2004, the budget committee of Mr. Teahjay's campaign met at 201 North Cedar Lane in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to put finishing touches to a three million U.S. dollars budget they believe is enough to have him win the United People's Party (UPP) nomination and, eventually, the presidency. Reports say Teahjay has UPP's Gabriel Baccus Matthews and Marcus Dahn to beat if he must bear the party's standards.
At Sunday's budget meeting, Teahjay's campaign also displayed twelve toyota landcruiser trucks destined for Liberia to kick off his campaign effort. Mr. Teahjay himself was at the meeting. The head of the exploratory team, Y. Wloti Hne, told our reporter that the vehicles and other campaign materials should leave the Port of Maryland (USA) shortly for Liberia.
When our reporter cornered Mr. Teahjay and asked why he wanted to be president and why he thought he would win, he reserved comments, saying, he will speak to the press "at the appropriate time." On when he would be traveling to Liberia, Teahjay, chased out after falling from grace with Taylor in 2000, said "As soon as necessary and possible." He declined further comments.
In Monrovia, our reporter said Lewis Brown and Soko Brown are battling for control of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Party. Lewis Brown is reported to be leading the polls of NPP members because he is the favorite of Charles Taylor and other party leaders.
The race for the Executive Mansion widens, the question remains: "Who Will Win The Mansion"?
...Who Will Win Liberia's Presidency?
By J. Nagbe Sloh
Managing Editor
Sloh Information Service
Philadelphia, Pa, 04/15/04 (SIS) - The date for Liberia's presidential and general elections remains uncertain, but the list of presidential hopefuls gets longer and longer while, interestingly, the country remains bankrupt for legislative candidates. The newest names in the presidential theater are former deputy Information Minister J. Milton Teahjay, former Foreign Minister Lewis G. Brown, and former National Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Soko Brown.
Already, the three presidential hopefuls have reportedly organized exploratory campaign committees and taken other actions to enter the crowdy race to Liberia's Executive Mansion.
On Sunday, May 9, 2004, the budget committee of Mr. Teahjay's campaign met at 201 North Cedar Lane in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to put finishing touches to a three million U.S. dollars budget they believe is enough to have him win the United People's Party (UPP) nomination and, eventually, the presidency. Reports say Teahjay has UPP's Gabriel Baccus Matthews and Marcus Dahn to beat if he must bear the party's standards.
At Sunday's budget meeting, Teahjay's campaign also displayed twelve toyota landcruiser trucks destined for Liberia to kick off his campaign effort. Mr. Teahjay himself was at the meeting. The head of the exploratory team, Y. Wloti Hne, told our reporter that the vehicles and other campaign materials should leave the Port of Maryland (USA) shortly for Liberia.
When our reporter cornered Mr. Teahjay and asked why he wanted to be president and why he thought he would win, he reserved comments, saying, he will speak to the press "at the appropriate time." On when he would be traveling to Liberia, Teahjay, chased out after falling from grace with Taylor in 2000, said "As soon as necessary and possible." He declined further comments.
In Monrovia, our reporter said Lewis Brown and Soko Brown are battling for control of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Party. Lewis Brown is reported to be leading the polls of NPP members because he is the favorite of Charles Taylor and other party leaders.
The race for the Executive Mansion widens, the question remains: "Who Will Win The Mansion"?
Liberia
Willis Knuckles Confesses Participation in Group Sex
...But refuses to resign as Ellen's Presidential Affairs Minister
By Jay Nagbe Sloh
Managing Editor
Philadelphia, 02/19/07 (SIS) - Liberia's sex scandal hero, presidential affairs minister Willis D. Knuckles, has confessed to his participation in what has become an embarrassment to the Liberian government and people. A nude photograph widely circulated over the weekend showed Knuckles standing and having sex from the back of a lady who was simultaneously performing oral sex with another lady. And, contrary to the widely-held public opinion that the photo was super-imposed to embarrass Knuckles, the disgraced presidential chief of staff agreed the picture is genuine. He apologized for the immoral act, but refused to resign as many demand.
In a statement issued in Monrovia today, Knuckles shifted blame to a female legislator who, along with house speaker Edwin Snowe and his wife (Mardea), "masterminded the circulation of the photograph." He referred to the publication of the photograph as a blackmail by speaker Snowe to force Knuckles into fighting with Snowe to fend off attempts by some House members to impeach the speaker. Below is the full text of Knuckles' statement:
"A compromising photograph has been in circulation reaching serious proportions since the resignation of former Speaker Edwin Snowe, with distribution on the internet, among journalists and even on street corners. The purpose of this statement, therefore, is to give a clear perspective to the press and to the public as to how this situation has evolved.
"First, I must express regrets to my wife of 37 years, my children, my mother, and all my other relatives, my boss, the President, my pastor and my church, my co-workers in government and all my friends, associates and others in the general public to whom this episode has come as a pointless embarrassment.
"The perpetrators of this act along with a certain female legislator, have distributed copies of this photograph with the intent of embarrassing me socially and inflicting political damage to the government given my current political position.
"The photograph currently circulating was first brought to my attention two weeks ago by Mrs. Mardea White Snowe, who happens to be a cousin and her husband, Edwin Snowe. This happened through a mutual family intermediary. Exactly from where or how it was obtained was not explained and I am still at a loss to understand. Mrs. Snowe indicated that she had control over this photograph.
"They unsuccessfully attempted to blackmail me by offering me the photograph and if I would according to them, stop opposing Mr. Snowe and help find a way to resolve Snowe’s political difficulties.
"I rejected their overtures and suddenly, since his resignation as Speaker, copies have appeared everywhere.
"The public might want to know that in the 2005 elections, I vigorously opposed Mr. Snowe’s candidacy in the Montserrado County District elections. I informed Mrs. Snowe that I felt it my duty to oppose his election to the House of Representatives.
"Since that day, all Mr. Snowe troubles have been blamed on me.
"That people are prepared to go to such an extreme as what the perpetrators have done in an attempt to destroy another person’s character is regrettable.
"The accusation of two years ago of four people attempting to kill Mr. Snowe is still fresh in our memory. An NSA report later showed manufactured emails, arranged foreign trips to Ghana, etc. all part of a fraudulent make-up for which an apology was offered.
"Now for whatever political or other ends the perpetrator wishes to achieve, my private life is being drawn into the short and inglorious end of someone else’s public life.
"I sincerely hope that in dealing with the current difficulty that this situation has created, it should be noted I have forty years of service in the public and private sectors-one widely regarded as dedicated and efficient.
"In closing, I must thank all those who have offered me moral and other support in dealing with the crisis-Her Excellency the President, and other government officials, my family, my church friends at home and abroad of all persuasions, and Liberians in general.
"Willis D. Knuckles
Republic of Liberia."
Liberia
When Charles Brumskine Prayed
By J. Nagbe Sloh
By J. Nagbe Sloh
Editor's Note: Due to the fighting in Liberia and in response to Abraham Massaley's request addressed to Liberian journalists in the Diaspora to pray for their homeland, Counselor Charles W. Brumskine recently wrote: "I like to join Abraham in beeching all of us to pray for our country and our people back home. That is exactly what my household and I are doing." In reaction to Counselor Brumskine's call, asking the Liberian people to pray for peace, journalist J. Nagbe Sloh sent the following comments to The Perspective:
Before he died in 1978, my father had always told me that the same rope that hangs monkey would hang baboon, and that it is therefore not a good thing for baboon to dance when monkey is being tied.
I remembered that saying this evening when I read a note to Liberians from Counselor Charles Brumskine, asking Liberians to "pray for our country and our people back home," adding, "That is exactly what my household and I are doing."
At first, I thought this Charles Brumskine was another Liberian genuinely concerned about Liberia and its people. Little did I know it would be the Charles Brumskine who was Charles Taylor's most trusted spokesman and public relations man in Monrovia during the civil war. In fact, after the 1997 elections, Taylor appointed Brumskine Grand Bassa Senator and President Pro Tempore of the Senate for arrogantly defending the unimaginable mayhem and property destruction rained upon Liberians and Liberia by Taylor and his NPFL.
Now that I know who this Brumskine is, I am sorrowfully reminded by that eloquent voice of this learned lawyer when, in the heat of the NPFL's atrocities and plunder, he was a very loud voice in defense of the NPFL. I remember how Counselor Brumskine, Gus Kouwenhoven, and some other ice-hearted Liberians took to the airwaves and used newspaper pages to defend Taylor and all other NPFL gangsters.
Yes, I remember how they abused the protection provided them by ECOMOG and Sawyer's Interim Government, and got away with impunity. They fought the Interim Government and ECOWAS on behalf of Taylor and his gangsters while at the same time enjoying the safety and luxury of the Liberian people's sweat, Hotel Africa.
I guess that during those days, Counselor Brumskine either did not know or forgot that Liberia and Liberians needed the prayers of his household and himself. When the Liberian people were crying for God's help, especially during Taylor's "Operation Octopus," Brumskine rejoiced, clapped, danced, and defended the killing of Liberians and foreigners by the NPFL. So, why does he want to pray now? Have you discovered something, Counselor? Me, I just want to know, because I still remember how you helped Taylor and his NPFL rain terror on the same people and country you "pray" for today.
During those days, I still remember, no one could make sense to you and your friend Gus, that sucker of Liberia's blood. Even the Liberian women, through the Liberian Women's Initiate, tried fruitlessly to calm you down. You and Counselor Benedict Sarnor were too hot to handle when it came to defending Taylor. You flew from country to country, pushing Taylor's killing agenda. So, why now, Counselor? What difference would the prayers make today that it could not make when you were aiding and abetting Taylor's war machine? Me, I just want to know, because I still remember how wicked you have been to the Liberian people while working for your masters, Taylor and his NPFL.
Yes, I welcome prayers for Liberia and Liberians, but the ones from people like Brumskine will further hurt Liberia, because God knows that the Brumskines are politicking with the blood and sweat of His children. Good night, and tell Counselor Brumskine to pray for himself. The Liberian people will pray for themselves. After all, what he helped plant is what Liberia is suffering from now.
May God bless Liberia!
Nigeria in Elections Chaos
Street protests over Nigeria poll
Saturday's polling was marred by violence in some areasOpposition supporters took to the streets in parts of Nigeria as partial results from Saturday's regional polls showed the ruling party ahead.
In Bauchi in the north, demonstrators blocked the road to an election office. Other incidents were also reported.
The polls, for the country's 36 state governors and assemblies, were marred by reported irregularities and violence which left more than 20 people dead. They were seen as a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential vote. But the outcome of the regional polls is as important to many Nigerians as the presidential election. State governors can be extremely powerful, controlling budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.
Partial results from election officials showed that the People's Democratic People (PDP) had won in most of the states declared so far.
In pics: Nigerian state polls
Difficult day at polls
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the PDP, said he thought polling had gone relatively well, but the opposition said there were widespread irregularities and fraud. Problems included polling stations that opened late, intimidation and the theft of ballot boxes, witnesses said.
The BBC's Alex Last saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.
Election voices
"We are trying to protect our votes," said a man blocking the road in Bauchi.
"We know that Mallam (the opposition candidate) has won the election. We are here because we don't want the results to be tampered with," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
Other incidents were reported, including in the oil-rich Delta state, where the ruling party was named the winner. Armed youths blocked roads and burned houses, Reuters said.
The tension is rising, says the BBC's David Bamford in Abuja, and with presidential and parliamentary elections due next Saturday, there is not likely to be much relief for the authorities.
Nigerian police said at least 21 people had died in election-related incidents, but other reports put the toll far higher.
Up to 70 people were also killed in violence during pre-election campaigning, human rights groups say.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6557371.stm
Saturday's polling was marred by violence in some areasOpposition supporters took to the streets in parts of Nigeria as partial results from Saturday's regional polls showed the ruling party ahead.
In Bauchi in the north, demonstrators blocked the road to an election office. Other incidents were also reported.
The polls, for the country's 36 state governors and assemblies, were marred by reported irregularities and violence which left more than 20 people dead. They were seen as a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential vote. But the outcome of the regional polls is as important to many Nigerians as the presidential election. State governors can be extremely powerful, controlling budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.
Partial results from election officials showed that the People's Democratic People (PDP) had won in most of the states declared so far.
In pics: Nigerian state polls
Difficult day at polls
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the PDP, said he thought polling had gone relatively well, but the opposition said there were widespread irregularities and fraud. Problems included polling stations that opened late, intimidation and the theft of ballot boxes, witnesses said.
The BBC's Alex Last saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.
Election voices
"We are trying to protect our votes," said a man blocking the road in Bauchi.
"We know that Mallam (the opposition candidate) has won the election. We are here because we don't want the results to be tampered with," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
Other incidents were reported, including in the oil-rich Delta state, where the ruling party was named the winner. Armed youths blocked roads and burned houses, Reuters said.
The tension is rising, says the BBC's David Bamford in Abuja, and with presidential and parliamentary elections due next Saturday, there is not likely to be much relief for the authorities.
Nigerian police said at least 21 people had died in election-related incidents, but other reports put the toll far higher.
Up to 70 people were also killed in violence during pre-election campaigning, human rights groups say.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6557371.stm
BBC's Focus on Afriva
Thursday, 30 May, 2002, 20:12 GMT 21:12 UK
'Voice of Africa' dies
By Robin White
'Voice of Africa' dies
By Robin White
Editor, BBC Focus on Africa
Chris Bickerton, presenter of Focus on Africa for more than 30 years, died on Monday 27 May 2002 from cancer.
He began experiencing difficulties in swallowing in April last year, and cancer of the oesophagus was diagnosed later in the year. Chris, 60, had an operation in January, and he, and his doctors, at first believed that the operation had been a great success. He seemed on the road to recovery and he could, it seemed, settle back and enjoy his new son, Sam, born on 6 September 2001.
But on 16 April, he sent this letter to us, his colleagues at the BBC:
"Not such good news, to put it mildly. Just over a month ago I fell ill with an infection.
"I could not shake it off, and a CT Scan has revealed the worst; that the cancer had flared up again. This time it is scattered around the peritoneum, which I take to mean a large area of my insides. It is inoperable. I am being offered chemo-therapy to manage or control it. But really we are just buying time. Without chemo, a few months. With chemo, no-one knows. Everybody, including the doctors, are shocked by the speed of the recurrence. At the moment it's a matter of pain control and living a day at a time for myself, my immensely courageous wife, Jay, and of course baby Sam".
For more than 30 years Chris was the rock around which Focus was built. Some listeners even named their children after him. He was "Mr Reliable" - always there, always calm, always ready to go on air, always patient with producers and journalists, both old and new.
Chris broadcast to Africa for 30 years. He would lift his colleagues' spirits when they felt low. His writing was impeccable. The number of mistakes he made in his career could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Two Liberian journalists comment
I was just simply shocked to have learned right now that Chris was dead as a result of cancer. No wonder we have not heard his soothing and confidence infested voice for some time. On behalf of thousands of Liberians, I say to Chris, Go Good. Your colleagues shall live your legacy of humble reporting about Africa, I believe. This is the first time I ever felt that a so-called white man was my brother.
Mournfully,
Alhaji G.V. Kromah, USA/Liberia
His powerful voice was the magnet that glued millions to their radios, especially in times of crisis. Chris Bickerton made the microphone sound easy to use, although it is not. His voice drew you to the radio, even if you did not want to listen. He pronounced every word, including hard-to-pronounce African names, with ease. He was a great communicator we will miss for ever, for no man else shall be the same. Chris Bickerton whose voice gave hope to the hopeless. May his soul rest in peace, and may God bless his son and wife.
Jay Nagbe Sloh
Liberian Journalist/USA
Dr. Moniba: A Good Man Gone From Us
Vice President Moniba Dies In Car Accident
By J. Nagbe Sloh
Philadelphia, 11/25/04 (SIS) - A former vice president of Liberia, Dr. Harry Fumba Moniba, is dead. Confirmed reports reaching the Sloh Information Service this evening said Dr. Moniba died in a tragic motor accident in Detroit, Michigan.
The late Moniba was Liberia's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James before being recalled in 1984 to become vice president of the Interim National Assembly, the transitional government that succeeded the People's Redemption Council. When Samuel Doe organized his National Democratic Party of Liberia, he picked Moniba as his running mate in the controversial 1985 elections.
When Doe was captured and killed by Prince Johnson and his Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia, Moniba joined other Liberians to form the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU). Moniba nominated Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer to head the IGNU.
During the 1997 elections, he parted company with the NDPL, and formed the Liberia National Union (LNU). He became the LNU's standard bearer, but was one of several presidential candidates Charles Taylor defeated in the elections.
Recently, some former Liberian government officials in the United States were working with Dr. Moniba to merge the LNU and the NDPL for next year's elections.
Britain and Taylor's Prison Term
Can Britain Afford Taylor's Prison Term?
...Leaked Memo Predicts Problems
A pledge by Britain to imprison the former African dictator Charles Taylor, on trial for war crimes, was thrown into doubt last night as a leaked memo highlighted the potential costs.
The notorious former president of Liberia faces a lifetime in jail if he is found guilty at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The sentence will be served in Britain if emergency legislation is passed by Parliament this week. But in a leaked government briefing document prepared for ministers, concern centres on cost and safety issues.
The memo states: "A possible objection to the Bill relates to the potential cost of imprisoning Taylor in the UK. Some may argue that, with the UK prison system heavily loaded and given the other demands on the UK taxpayer, it is not appropriate to commit government funds to imprison foreign nationals." It says the cost of keeping an inmate in high security detention is "in the region of £44,000" a year.
Taylor is standing trial on 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is said to have armed rebel forces, including child soldiers high on drugs, who raped and mutilated civilians during the 1991-2002 civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone which left 200,000 dead. He has pleaded not guilty.
The memo also raises the issue of risk. It says Taylor might choose to remain in Britain after his release, claiming asylum, and that this "might represent a danger to the public or a drain on public resources".
Advising ministers on how best to present the Bill, the memo concludes: "Overall, the argument will be that the Government does not enter into such commitments lightly but that, by making this relatively modest financial contribution, the UK will be making a major contribution to the cause of international justice."
The move comes at a time when Britain faces an unprecedented crisis in both the prison and immigration services and following the debacle over the release of foreign prisoners facing deportation. This week it was reported that the prison population has hit a record high of 80,220 - with prison overcrowding costing the Home Office almost £5 million a month in payments for emergency accommodation in police cells.
The Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, agreed last summer that Britain would allow Taylor to be kept in a British jail after other European countries, among them Sweden, Denmark and Austria, refused and no African country was deemed suitable.
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/15/wliberia15.xml
...Leaked Memo Predicts Problems
A pledge by Britain to imprison the former African dictator Charles Taylor, on trial for war crimes, was thrown into doubt last night as a leaked memo highlighted the potential costs.
The notorious former president of Liberia faces a lifetime in jail if he is found guilty at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The sentence will be served in Britain if emergency legislation is passed by Parliament this week. But in a leaked government briefing document prepared for ministers, concern centres on cost and safety issues.
The memo states: "A possible objection to the Bill relates to the potential cost of imprisoning Taylor in the UK. Some may argue that, with the UK prison system heavily loaded and given the other demands on the UK taxpayer, it is not appropriate to commit government funds to imprison foreign nationals." It says the cost of keeping an inmate in high security detention is "in the region of £44,000" a year.
Taylor is standing trial on 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is said to have armed rebel forces, including child soldiers high on drugs, who raped and mutilated civilians during the 1991-2002 civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone which left 200,000 dead. He has pleaded not guilty.
The memo also raises the issue of risk. It says Taylor might choose to remain in Britain after his release, claiming asylum, and that this "might represent a danger to the public or a drain on public resources".
Advising ministers on how best to present the Bill, the memo concludes: "Overall, the argument will be that the Government does not enter into such commitments lightly but that, by making this relatively modest financial contribution, the UK will be making a major contribution to the cause of international justice."
The move comes at a time when Britain faces an unprecedented crisis in both the prison and immigration services and following the debacle over the release of foreign prisoners facing deportation. This week it was reported that the prison population has hit a record high of 80,220 - with prison overcrowding costing the Home Office almost £5 million a month in payments for emergency accommodation in police cells.
The Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, agreed last summer that Britain would allow Taylor to be kept in a British jail after other European countries, among them Sweden, Denmark and Austria, refused and no African country was deemed suitable.
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/15/wliberia15.xml
Saturday, April 14, 2007
10 commandments for a sustainable peace
- Always consider the overall perspective.
- See to both women and men.
- It is never too early to consider the needs of women during war and armed conflict.
- Never assume that a vulnerable woman is helpless.
- Women shall be both protected and empowered.
- Choose local expertise whenever possible.
- Provide resources to local women's organizations; they have ideas themselves.
- Always assume that women's organizations are connected with each other through well-functioning networks.
- Empower women and educate men.
- More women are needed as role models within the international community
Prayer by Minister Joe Wright
Prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of the Senate.
Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,'but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost ourspiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that: We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.We have exploited the poor and called it the Lottery.We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.We have killed our unborn and called it choice.We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.We have abused power and called it politics.We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of speech.We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation andwholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called, "...onenation under God..."
God Bless gutsy Joe Wright!
Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,'but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost ourspiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that: We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.We have exploited the poor and called it the Lottery.We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.We have killed our unborn and called it choice.We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.We have abused power and called it politics.We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of speech.We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation andwholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called, "...onenation under God..."
God Bless gutsy Joe Wright!
Welcome
I am pleased to announce that the Sloh Information Service is here! Have a taste of balanced reporting. Welcome.
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