Liberian Headlines Today 12-31-2008

President Sirleaf Holds Talks With Senior Members of New Military Leadership in Neighbouring Guinea
A meeting has taken place in Monrovia between President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and a senior official of the new military leadership in neighboring Guinea, the 2nd Vice President General Mamadou Bah Camara .During talks at the President's Foreign Ministry office, the Guinean military official informed President Sirleaf that the military seized power to fill the leadership vacuum created following the death of the country's leader, General Lansana Conte. He explained that the constitutional term for the Guinean parliament had expired. An Executive Mansion release quotes General Bah as saying he was visiting Liberia to explain the rationale behind the military takeover and solicit Liberia's support for the events in his country. Guinea's second man in command maintained that the new leadership remains committed to the restoration of democratic civilian rule in his country. The General lauded President Johnson Sirleaf for granting his delegation the opportunity to present its case. Responding President Johnson Sirleaf, who also chairs the Mano River Union sub-regional grouping, spoke of the close ties between Guinea and Liberia. Whatever happens in Guinea or any of the neighboring countries, the President said also affects Liberia. She spoke of the tremendous sacrifices made by African countries in restoring peace to Liberia and said Liberia was prepared to provide the moral support for the efforts they made towards peace in the country. (AllAfrica.com)

Most Memorable Events of 2008
n consonance with the tradition of this paper to reflect on the most memorable events at the end of each year, we would like to retrospect the two most memorable events during the year 2008. Undoubtedly, many would agree with this paper that the most memorable events of the year 2008 were the massacre of over 14 persons on a farm said to be owned by former rebel spokesman, Charles Bennie in Margibi/Grand Bassa Counties, and the historic visit of United States President George W. Bush to Liberia in February .Though many other things occurred in the country, but the most memorable events of all are the two historic events during the year in review. On June 11, 2008, it was reported by authorities of the Liberia National Police that the bodies of some 14 persons were discovered from the Farmington River in connection with an attack on a group of 30 men who had gone to brush a farm said to belong to Mr. Charles Bennie. The group of men were attacked by some men in the area said to be acting under the order of Margibi County Senator, Roland Kaine who is presently behind bar in connection with the Margibi massacre. The men were brutally murdered in the attack leaving few survivors. It was also reported that the discovered bodies' feet and hands were tied while some of the bodies' eyes were plucked out and sticks plucked into their mouths. Since the incident, 14 persons including Sen. Kaine have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged killing. The murder of over 14 persons will continue to remain on the minds of Liberians especially families of the deceased in the manner in which they were killed in the area. The situation led to a peaceful demonstration by family members who converged at the JFK to identify the remains of their families. (AllAfrica.com)

Country, China Sign U.S.$9 Million Agreement
The Government of Liberia and the Government of People's Republic of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at further enhancing the friendly relations and promoting Economic and Technical Cooperation between the two countries. Under the Agreement, which was signed on Monday, December 29, 2008, China will provide Liberia with gratuitous assistance in the tune of RMB Yuan 50, 000,000 or an equivalent of US$9 Million. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the amount will be used to cover the express of the projects agreed upon by the two sides. A detailed accounting procedures pertaining to the implementation of the agreement are to be worked out between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Liberia and the China Development Bank. The Acting Foreign Minister of Liberia, Ambassador William V. S. Bull, signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Zhou Yuxiao, signed on behalf of his Government. In brief remarks during the signing ceremony, Acting Minister Bull expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government and People of China on behalf of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the Government and People of Liberia for the partnership and praised China for the role being played in Liberia's recovery programs, especially within the context of Economic and Technical Cooperation as well as the friendly ties subsisting between both countries. (AllAfrica.com)

Commerce Ministry On Unscrupulous Business Practices
In a bid to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Commerce the Deputy Minister for Commerce & Industry Dr. Frederick B. Norkeh has reiterated that the ministry would not hesitate to deal with any business or businesses operating in the country in cheating government of needed revenue. Minister Norkeh in an interviewed recently with this paper indicated that the much publicized corrupt practices allegedly been level against government officials by the public signal a collective guilt among President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf functionaries. He vehemently ruled out collective guilt among the public meaning that he personally has no intention to participate in such an unwholesome act even if it exist. In a thirty minutes interviewed with this paper at his Ashmun Street Street office in Monrovia Dr. Norkeh told the Inquirer that the ministry past and present stance against cheating government out of needed revenue is to put in place a sound policy so that the businesses community and government work together on a negotiated settlement. (The Inquirer)

President Sirleaf, Varney Sherman Discuss
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and opposition politician Cllr. Varney Sherman over the weekend were involved in an exchange pleasantry with the Liberian legal practitioner commending the President for the modest level of development she has brought to Grand Cape Mount County. Cllr. Sherman, son of Grand Cape Mount County who was one of twenty candidates who ran against President Sirleaf in the 2005 general and Presidential elections, visited the President’s newly developed mini-bench resort located in Grand cape Mount, where he had gone to joint in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the President’s sister. (The Inquirer)

New College For Grand Gedeh County Soon
At least students coming out of high school in the south-eastern region, particularly in Grand Gedeh County will have no cause coming to Monrovia to continue their education as a new university that seeks to offer degrees in over 21 areas of disciplines will commence its operations in 2010. The brain behind the construction of the new college that is presently on-going in the county, Victor S. Sackor, a Liberian based in Minnesota, USA told the Inquirer on Wednesday that the idea was based on the passion he had for the educational system in Liberia. The young man, believe to be in his mid thirties said, he is not satisfied with the educational system in the country, especially at a point where students coming out of high schools in other parts of the country would be compelled to continue their university education in Monrovia, since they have none in the various counties. Mr. Sackor who is also a citizen of Grand Gedeh County said he believes in the vision of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-led government by making education a priority to build up the educational strength of the country and put the citizens, particularly the younger generation on pal with its international counterparts. (The Inquirer)

CDC GOES TO CONGRESS TO PREPARE FOR 2011
The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced the holding of its second national congress to prepare the ground work for its participation in the ensuing 2011 general and presidential elections.The Chairman of the National Congress Organizing Committee, Nathaniel R. Patray, II told a news conference at the party’s 9th Street headquarters Tuesday that the second national congress which is arranged under theme: “Preparing for the challenges of future governance” will take place at the party headquarters in Sinkor, and will consider for discussion key national issues including the problem of inflation, responsibility and prevention of the economy and the danger of electoral fraud in an involving democracy. According to him, the congress will run from January 4-7, 2009, and that there will be a symposium to be addressed by partisans J. Milton Teajey, he (Nathaniel R. Patray), and a Liberian economist, Lawrence M. Yates. Besides that, the organizing chairman said the congress will pave the way for the holding of election for every position in the party, except for the standard-bearership, which is being occupied by Ambassador George Weah. (Analyst Newspaper)

Liberia’s Ambassador To The US Unveils Plan
Liberia’s U.S. Ambassador M. Nathaniel Barnes has, while wishing Liberians a “happy and prosperous” New Year, unveiled measures to strengthen US-Liberia relations and to improve the lots of Liberians residing in the U.S. He predicted that 2009 will be a good year for Liberia and encouraged all Liberians to do whatever is in their might to help Liberia meet its goals and aspirations. “It is imperative that we understand that all of us must do whatever little we can in unity to make Liberia the best that it can be,” said Amb. Barnes. The Liberian envoy comments were contained in a New Year Message he delivered on behalf of the President of Liberia and Liberia’s Foreign Service. In view of that national imperative, the ambassador said, he has initiated the establishment of a Liberian Diaspora Advisory Board to work closely with the Embassy. He did not say what the Diaspora Advisory Board would do, who were the likely members, and where such board would be based. He however noted that he was open to suggestions. He said the establishment of the board and other measures the embassy was contemplating on taking were in realization of the fact that Liberians in the United States have incredible potential to assist in resolving some of the most pressing challenges currently facing Liberia. “Additionally, the Embassy has just finalized a 36 month Strategic Plan that encompasses engaging institutions and individuals across the United States at all levels, including the U.S. Government, the private sector, non-governmental agencies, as well as academic and scientific institutions,” he said. According to him, the fundamental thrust of the plan is to clearly articulate the development and strategic objectives of the Government of Liberia’s and to establish a focused and effective means to accomplish them. He acknowledge the immigration problems facing thousands of Liberians in the U.S. and called on those affected to rest assured that the Liberian Embassy under his administration would help seek solutions to those problems. (Analyst Newspaper)

Angry Residents Mob ‘Hardened Criminal’ To Death
A saying “ninety-nine days for rogue, one day for master” came to reality when angry residents of the VP Road Community mobbed a man said to be a hardened criminal to death. Popularly known as “Tar Town Giant,” the alleged criminal met his untimely death in the early hours of Monday. His lifeless remains lied in a pool of blood on the VP Road, as residents of the community swarmed the scene to glimpse at him. Upon hearing the discovery of the body on the VP Road, our reporter rushed to the scene to ascertain circumstances surrounding his death. Several residents who spoke to our reporter said the late Tito was heading the criminal gang on the Old Road, those who constantly terrorized peaceful citizens. According to the residents, Tar Town Giant, was a resident of the community, and a hardened and notorious criminal, whose gang of criminals have subjected residents to untold suffering, and caused sleepless nights, robbing, hijacking, and breaking into homes. Residents claimed the deceased was mobbed to death after he was caught by some youth upon his return from robbing some people in the vicinity of the Gaye Town and other communities. Some said he was apprehended on VP Road, a nearby suburb, as he and his friends tried to escape the scene. Unfortunately for him, eyewitnesses claimed,he was unable to escape, so the mob grabbed him and beat him to death. Some of the residents of the community, who ran to the scene upon hearing news of the death of Tito danced and sang because, as they claimed, another nightmare has vanished from the community. “We are happy over his death because he was the main person who led others to harm us". "We know some of his colleagues are still alive at least we will sleep peacefully because Tito is no more to burglarize our home and thank God for taking away this criminal from on our back", a jubilant resident told our reporter. (Analyst Newspaper)

MARITIME BUREAU SETS RECORD STRAIGHT
The management of Bureau of Maritime (BMA) has clarified report carried in the December 29th edition of this paper under the caption “BMA Upbeat Over Huge Revenue Success,” noting that the information as published is inaccurate. This paper quoted the Commissioner of the BMA, Binyah Kesselley as telling media executives last week that its revenue generation was encouraging and that amount was not received from ship’s registry, instead is money paid to the United States and later transferred to the Central Bank of Liberia. But instead of what was reported relative to the issue of the US$12.9m revenue, the BMA said, “the amount represents the total receipt to the GOL as of the date of the press conference, December 23, 2009. The press was informed that the amount was likely to increase by the time the year comes to a close, as billings and collections did not occur simultaneously.” Other than what was reported, the BMA clarified that after the Agent sends out the billings and does the collections, GOL’s share of the revenue goes directly to the designated Account of the CBL at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, saying “the key message is that BMA is not the recipient of the revenue collected for the Government but the CBL.” “As per the issue of Liberia not receiving a fair share of the revenues generated as reported”, BMA said its Commissioner alluded to the fact that the distribution is a direct result of the existing Agency agreement between the GOL and LISCR approved March 18, 1999 and subsequently enacted into law later that same year. Hence, the existing structural deficiencies have to be addressed a priori, as the contract comes up for revision and renewal. (Analyst Newspaper)

Comium Gives Out US$2,500 To ‘Star Is Born’ Winners
Nicholas Bulgar, Helen Pajebo and Victoria Tiah emerged as winner, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up of the much publicized “A Star Is Born” competition organized by the Public Information Service of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and sponsored by Comium-Liberia, a GSM operator. Most importantly, the three main winners were presented the cash prizes of US$2,500, representing US$1,000 for 2nd place winner, US$1,500 for the 1st place winner and US$2,000 for the winner. The rest of the finalists received other prizes. The nine finalists include Victoria Tiah, Nicholas Bulgar, Paul K. Harding; Ade Wart, Russeline Goffah and Helen Pajebo. Others are Esi Duche, Amos Ralph Onumah and Elsie Sidu. It was an amazing occasion of admiration for the achievers and it was watched by few staff of UNMIL, including Kojo Mensah, Head of UNMIL Radio and the head of the Outreach, Kinsley Oghorbor. Also in attendance was staff of Comium as well as Liberian musical stars. Before the occasion officially got started, the finalists rendered a melody that stirred the audience and grounded them. In his welcome remarks, the head of ISP of Comium, Logan Campbell praised the winners for their excellent display of musical talents, noting that Comium was proud to have sponsored the show which is aimed at tapping young talents of the country. (Analyst Newspaper)

LONE STAR CELL GIVES TO HOSPITALS, CLINICS
Liberia’s oldest and largest GSM Company, the Lone Star Communication Company continues to demonstrate how humanitarian it is by donating five Desk Phones to about five healthcare institutions in the country. Institutions that benefited from the company’s humanitarian gestures included the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, the Firestone Hospital, the John F. Kennedy Hospital, SOS Clinic and the Merlin Clinic. Making the donation recently at its offices in Congo Town, the Marketing Officer of Lone star Cell, Ibrahim Daramie said the donation was in response to the overwhelming desire to support the country’s health care delivery system, keep it effective and intact. He noted that the lack of free communication network in the health sector of Liberia has resulted to the deaths of many and added that each of said desk phone cost US$160. The Lone star Cell marketing officer also disclosed that said phones can be used for both medical doctors and Nurses in emergency situations and cases to save the lives of patients. Receiving the items on behalf of the Healthcare Director of the Family Division at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Saye Baawo thanked Lone Star for the donation and at the same appealed to the company to extend such goodwill outside of Monrovia to help others. Since 2008, the Lone Star Cell has been engaged in humanitarian work by helping the needy people and institutions in the country, putting the cost at over US$200.000. (Analyst Newspaper)

Ex-Top Cop Nabbed
A police swoop has netted a Senior Inspector of Police during the regime of former President Charles Taylor amongst more then 100 alleged criminals who fell in an early Monday morning police dragnet. A former special body guard to Taylor, later appointed as Police Inspector, Beyan Forty, told this paper in a brief interview at the LNP headquarters that he had only gone to “...find something to eat...” when he was arrested along with many others, including women with babies in what the police is hailing as the biggest year-end criminal and drug hideouts bust. During the raid Monday morning, police rounded-up several alleged criminals and drug users in and around Monrovia including Bushrod Island, Coconut Plantation, Caldwell, Randall Street, Gurley Street, and the South Beach area, amongst others. One woman, clutching a baby in one arm, and a bag stuffed with US dollar notes in the other, rejected accusations that she was a drug dealer. Instead, she said, a relative in the United States had decided to send her a surprise Christmas package. Another man who had put up resistance and sustained a busted lip, was taken to hospital in a police ambulance, but upon his return into police custody, pulled off the band aid from his lips saying: “ ...I want the press to see how yor beat me bad way like this.” As the raid continued with truckloads of alleged criminals pouring into the rear of the police station about every half hour, the nabbed former Police Inspector, sporting a red overall jumper, told this paper, “...It was a mistake, I just went to find something to eat.” Up to press time, police had taken into custody 67 men, 42 women and 3 babies (New Democrat)

Chief Justice Orders Stricter Jury Selections
Supreme Court Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis has issued a new directive aimed at subjecting the selection of empanelled jurors through a rigorous process to preserve the integrity of the process, suggesting that the current process is flawed. In a letter dated November 12, 2008, addressed to judges of circuit and specialized courts in the country, Chief Justice Lewis mandates that all prospective jurors henceforth should filed in their records and documents including communication from the clerk of court to respective township commissioners and other local authorities relative to the jury selection process to ensure that the process is strictly adhered to as required by law. ”Have jurors fully complete a Jury Information Form,” he said. “Instruct jurors that they are subject to sequestration if requested by a party and granted by the court.” “Instruct jurors that they are subject to prosecution where perjury is found regarding any representation made or information given on the attached jury Information Form,” he added. Justice Lewis further urged the judges to instruct jurors to refrain from engaging in conducts that compromise the rights of party litigants and that prosecution will obtain where proof is establish. (New Democrat)

Knuckles-gate E-mail Scam Conflict of Interest, Says Transparency Group Chief
“When the Doe government came to power it did not understand the situation and now resulted to awarding contracts to Lebanese that is how the Haddads, and others came in the picture and our government officials sat back and used kickbacks from these Lebanese to build mansions and enrich themselves with the thinking that people did not know how they were getting these monies." The Executive Director of a pro Democracy group, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Thomas Doe Nah has stated that the email scam involving Mr. Willis Knuckles, former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, named Knucklegate in which he (Knuckles) solicited bribe from the head of the Liberia Shipping Registry (LISCR) to lobby for the company to win the contract to manage the maritime program of Liberia is a classical example of conflict of interest, an act he described as an impediment to the growth of Liberia. Serving as a panelist at a forum organized by the Press Union of Liberia named the Herbert Grimsby lecture Forum, Mr. Thomas Nah Doe said conflict of interest has been practiced in Liberia for years and has taken many forms and shapes as governments come and go. After providing insight of how conflict of interest has been taking place in Liberia over the years, Thomas Doe Nah responding to question posed by FPA at the interactive forum on how the practice of conflict of interest is taking place under the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, said the Knucklegate email scam is a typical example of conflict of interest. (FrontPageAfrica.com)

Jobs For Green Cards Holders Stall Liberia’s Progress, Rights Advocate Observe
T wo panelists at the December Edition of the Press Union of Liberia monthly Herbert Grimsby Lecture Forum have provided strong views on some of the impediments to the progress of Liberia. Professor Twaplayfano Dohr, I, Dean of Liberal Arts at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) in Monrovia, well known for analysis of critical issues in Liberia said the culture of honoring Liberians with holding citizenship to other countries and giving them lucrative positions in government is impeding the growth of the educational sector of Liberia. Professor Dohr observed that Liberians with Green Cards from the United States of America and other countries must firstly denounce their status in those countries and reclaim their full Liberian citizenship before gaining employment in key positions in the public sector. “I challenge this government to publish the list of all its officials who are green card holders and tell them to turn the cards over to the United States of America because our constitution does not do business with dual citizenship”, Professor Dohr proposed. The two panelists while lecturing on the topic “An Appraisal of the Government’s Performance in the Education, Security and Economic (transparency) sectors”, Professor Dohr said while he is not against Liberians going aboard to seek greener pasture as a result of the civil war or the quest to gain foreign knowledge it is demeaning to the educational system of Liberia to only honor those with foreign credentials leaving out others who remain in the country and attend schools. (FrontPageAfrica.com)

Two Liberian men arrested in black-money fraud scheme
Members of the Frederick Police Department on Saturday arrested two African men at a local Chinese restaurant after they tried to scam the owner out of $100,000, according to a department press release. Members of the department's Patrol and Criminal Investigation divisions conducted an investigation of the alleged scheme to get the business owner to give them thousands of dollars on the promise the money could then be used to reproduce millions of dollars in U.S. currency. During the investigation, police officers learned that the two men, Liberian citizens later identified as Calvin Billfrank Swen, 44, of Jamaica, N. Y., and Radcliffe Reynold Howard, 41, of Philadelphia, initially visited the restaurant to ask about buying the business, according to the release. During a subsequent visit, Swen and Howard produced black paper wrapped in plastic and told the owner they had the ability to take a $100 bill and make additional $100 bills by placing the currency between the black paper and applying a chemical, according to the release. The men demonstrated the procedure for the owner, and then asked the owner to give them $100,000 in cash. In exchange, the men said they could produce $4 million in U.S. currency, which they would split evenly with the owner, according to the statement. After several communications with the restaurant owner, police officers conducted surveillance operations and arrested the men as they entered the business. Swen and Howard were transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention