Comments on: Taylor Says Prosecution Case is Full of Misinformation and Rumors http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/ International Criminal Justice in the Making Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:34:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Taylor’s direct examination: “These smiles are not funny smiles to say Mr. Taylor is not taking it seriously.” – Shelby Grossman's Blog http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-22694 Taylor’s direct examination: “These smiles are not funny smiles to say Mr. Taylor is not taking it seriously.” – Shelby Grossman's Blog Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:08:05 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-22694 [...] In July 2009 former Liberian President Charles Taylor began testifying in his own defense at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.  Below is an overview of what happened during his direct-examination.  This analysis relies heavily on a very good and opinionated U.C. Berkeley War Crimes Studies Center report, along with The Trial of Charles Taylor blog weekly summaries. [...] [...] In July 2009 former Liberian President Charles Taylor began testifying in his own defense at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.  Below is an overview of what happened during his direct-examination.  This analysis relies heavily on a very good and opinionated U.C. Berkeley War Crimes Studies Center report, along with The Trial of Charles Taylor blog weekly summaries. [...]

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-9732 Tracey Gurd Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:32:17 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-9732 Hi Stephen, Good question. After Charles Taylor was arrested in Nigeria on March 29, 2006, he was transferred back to Liberia and then on to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown. Yet there were concerns about whether Mr. Taylor should be tried in Sierra Leone. Citing fears over instability in Liberia if Taylor were to be tried in Freetown, both the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, backed a bid to have Taylor’s trial moved to The Hague. The Dutch Government asked for a Security Council resolution to authorize the transfer, and said it would host Taylor’s trial on the condition that another country agreed in advance to take Taylor after his trial finished, should he be convicted. The then United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, made a request for states to consider hosting Mr. Taylor if he was found guilty. The United Kingdom agreed. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court expressed willingness for the Special Court for Sierra Leone to use its premises in The Hague for the trial. The Security Council resolution was drafted by the United Kingdom. Security Council Resolution 1688 was passed unanimously on June 16, 2006, paving the way for Taylor to be tried by the Special Court on the premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. And now, here we are today with the trial in full swing. We had written a few commentaries related to this issue that you might be interested in. You can find them here: http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/ and here: http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/27/charles-taylor-and-the-icc-whats-up-with-that/ Hi Stephen,

Good question. After Charles Taylor was arrested in Nigeria on March 29, 2006, he was transferred back to Liberia and then on to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown. Yet there were concerns about whether Mr. Taylor should be tried in Sierra Leone. Citing fears over instability in Liberia if Taylor were to be tried in Freetown, both the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, backed a bid to have Taylor’s trial moved to The Hague. The Dutch Government asked for a Security Council resolution to authorize the transfer, and said it would host Taylor’s trial on the condition that another country agreed in advance to take Taylor after his trial finished, should he be convicted. The then United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, made a request for states to consider hosting Mr. Taylor if he was found guilty. The United Kingdom agreed. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court expressed willingness for the Special Court for Sierra Leone to use its premises in The Hague for the trial. The Security Council resolution was drafted by the United Kingdom. Security Council Resolution 1688 was passed unanimously on June 16, 2006, paving the way for Taylor to be tried by the Special Court on the premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. And now, here we are today with the trial in full swing.

We had written a few commentaries related to this issue that you might be interested in. You can find them here: http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/
and here:
http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/27/charles-taylor-and-the-icc-whats-up-with-that/

]]> By: Stephen Y. Kamara http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-9675 Stephen Y. Kamara Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:21:55 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-9675 While was Charles Taylor trial venue change from Sierra Leone to Holland ? While was Charles Taylor trial venue change from Sierra Leone to Holland ?

]]> By: Charles Taylor takes the Stand at The International Criminal Law Bureau : Blog http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-5509 Charles Taylor takes the Stand at The International Criminal Law Bureau : Blog Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:52:07 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-5509 [...] http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-... [...] [...] http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-... [...]

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1976 Tracey Gurd Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:39:00 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1976 Dear readers, The debates on this site are lively and passionate, which is just what we want to see. Just a reminder to all that while comments are both welcome and encouraged, as moderators of the site, we would also request that comments be both constructive and civil. We also reserve the right not to post comments which do not fall within the terms and conditions of the site (see the link at the bottom of the page to read them). Best, Tracey Dear readers,

The debates on this site are lively and passionate, which is just what we want to see.

Just a reminder to all that while comments are both welcome and encouraged, as moderators of the site, we would also request that comments be both constructive and civil. We also reserve the right not to post comments which do not fall within the terms and conditions of the site (see the link at the bottom of the page to read them).

Best,
Tracey

]]> By: Ken Barmor http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1694 Ken Barmor Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:42:22 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1694 After reading July 14 transcript on the trial, Mr. Taylor gave information about the Liberia 1980 coup that was varying interesting and shin some more light on what happen. I also think he is doing a great job at distinguishing the different between what is a warlord and a revolutionary. After reading July 14 transcript on the trial, Mr. Taylor gave information about the Liberia 1980 coup that was varying interesting and shin some more light on what happen. I also think he is doing a great job at distinguishing the different between what is a warlord and a revolutionary.

]]> By: Concerned Liberian in the US http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1647 Concerned Liberian in the US Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:45:40 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1647 Just to elaborate on the previous last paragraph, the problem is not so much that Charles Taylor is/was corrupt though it is a problem too too many African leaders have repeatedly fallen into. The worst problem is how quickly a man like him was able to gain followers, and then keep those followers even after he orchestrated cross-border atrocities... This situation unfortunately reminds me very much of Hitler, everybody loved him at first b/c they thought he was bringing freedom and a new Germany, "they didn't know" he was killing millions and millions of Jews everyday...they followed him blindly. So too have the unfortunate few amongst the masses who claim to love their dear dear Mr. President. The problem is not so much the man but the people that followed him. His crime if ever brought before a Liberian court should be taking advantage of the uninformed/terrorized masses. If somebody kept kicking you in the stomach for 14 years, and then finally said okay, let me be your master and I will not kick you anymore...what would you do? Will you too follow blindly?? Charles Taylor, you can joke and talk about not having your mayonnaise jars full of diamonds, or any jar for that matter. Yet attempting to sweep years of war, killings, and corrupted child soldiers under the rug is too much. The international community was able to stop you before it got too far. How do you attempt to fulfill a dream of a new Liberia, when you corrupt the youth and the future of Liberia? How are you the peacemaker of Africa when you willingly donate your soldiers to a neighboring conflict? Or maybe you were sending the child soldiers to school @ night, while they fought in the day? Thanks for screwing our country and Sierra Leone up! Your time is up. You were NEVER the 21st president of Liberia Mr. CGT, it was a figment of your imagination. Presidents take care of all their people, and protect the interests of their youth especially. Presidents DONT try to hide all the money they embezzled overseas....but you know what? you did it before...in the 1980s so I dont know why Liberian people are surprised you've once again tried to hoodwink them...hopefully this prosecution will work hard enough against your mastermind of evil. Charles Hitler Taylor! Just to elaborate on the previous last paragraph, the problem is not so much that Charles Taylor is/was corrupt though it is a problem too too many African leaders have repeatedly fallen into. The worst problem is how quickly a man like him was able to gain followers, and then keep those followers even after he orchestrated cross-border atrocities…

This situation unfortunately reminds me very much of Hitler, everybody loved him at first b/c they thought he was bringing freedom and a new Germany, “they didn’t know” he was killing millions and millions of Jews everyday…they followed him blindly. So too have the unfortunate few amongst the masses who claim to love their dear dear Mr. President. The problem is not so much the man but the people that followed him. His crime if ever brought before a Liberian court should be taking advantage of the uninformed/terrorized masses. If somebody kept kicking you in the stomach for 14 years, and then finally said okay, let me be your master and I will not kick you anymore…what would you do? Will you too follow blindly??

Charles Taylor, you can joke and talk about not having your mayonnaise jars full of diamonds, or any jar for that matter. Yet attempting to sweep years of war, killings, and corrupted child soldiers under the rug is too much. The international community was able to stop you before it got too far. How do you attempt to fulfill a dream of a new Liberia, when you corrupt the youth and the future of Liberia? How are you the peacemaker of Africa when you willingly donate your soldiers to a neighboring conflict? Or maybe you were sending the child soldiers to school @ night, while they fought in the day? Thanks for screwing our country and Sierra Leone up!

Your time is up. You were NEVER the 21st president of Liberia Mr. CGT, it was a figment of your imagination. Presidents take care of all their people, and protect the interests of their youth especially. Presidents DONT try to hide all the money they embezzled overseas….but you know what? you did it before…in the 1980s so I dont know why Liberian people are surprised you’ve once again tried to hoodwink them…hopefully this prosecution will work hard enough against your mastermind of evil. Charles Hitler Taylor!

]]> By: Concerned Liberian in the US http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1627 Concerned Liberian in the US Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:10:02 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1627 Very disappointed that someone dare venture to call Charles Taylor one of the finest minds of the continent, and furthermore compare him to the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, and Steven Biko. Is this a joke? Kwame Nkrumah dreamt of Pan-Africanism and brought his country to independence from a strong colonial power. Steven Biko dreamt of a world without apartheid. Please let me know one major contribution Charles Taylor brought to Africa besides destabilizing the West African region for 15 plus years. Then express disappointment in his fellow African leaders for not cushioning him in his time of need? Is he kidding? Yes there, are other corrupt African leaders, however Charles Taylor did more than steal money from the people, the thousands of Liberian and Sierra Leonean youth currently addicted to drugs and/or gunpowder and other elements, how do we reconcile for them? Will they come up on the witness stand? Can we also address the fact the man escaped from prison!? CIA backed or whatever! Criminals go to prison for crimes they committed. He was in prison under instruction from the Liberian government b/c of alleged embezzlement. Are we going to lie and say his trial then was not fair? Essentially we have a criminal who never served his time. May God see past the lies. And for the several families out there, namely Liberians' elite families' who helped to support Taylor through the years monetarily from the states and beyond. Yes you too, should be ashamed of what you helped your own people to endure. All that blood money that was passing through networks like places in Staten Island, NY and beyond to help Taylor. You should be ashamed. I wonder if any of you are stepping up to the plate and repenting with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia. Very disappointed that someone dare venture to call Charles Taylor one of the finest minds of the continent, and furthermore compare him to the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, and Steven Biko. Is this a joke? Kwame Nkrumah dreamt of Pan-Africanism and brought his country to independence from a strong colonial power. Steven Biko dreamt of a world without apartheid. Please let me know one major contribution Charles Taylor brought to Africa besides destabilizing the West African region for 15 plus years. Then express disappointment in his fellow African leaders for not cushioning him in his time of need? Is he kidding? Yes there, are other corrupt African leaders, however Charles Taylor did more than steal money from the people, the thousands of Liberian and Sierra Leonean youth currently addicted to drugs and/or gunpowder and other elements, how do we reconcile for them? Will they come up on the witness stand?

Can we also address the fact the man escaped from prison!? CIA backed or whatever! Criminals go to prison for crimes they committed. He was in prison under instruction from the Liberian government b/c of alleged embezzlement. Are we going to lie and say his trial then was not fair?

Essentially we have a criminal who never served his time. May God see past the lies.

And for the several families out there, namely Liberians’ elite families’ who helped to support Taylor through the years monetarily from the states and beyond. Yes you too, should be ashamed of what you helped your own people to endure. All that blood money that was passing through networks like places in Staten Island, NY and beyond to help Taylor. You should be ashamed. I wonder if any of you are stepping up to the plate and repenting with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia.

]]> By: Ziggy Salis http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1620 Ziggy Salis Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:48:56 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1620 I dare that this writer will compared Mr. Chales Taylor[a flesh eating, blood thirst defacto detator] to Nkrumah and Biko who were one of Africa's true leaders. Mr. Taylor can only be compared to Idi Amin Dauda. and it will all be proven at the conclusion of this trial.he did not give justice to Jackson F. Doe, Saye Dokie, and the people of the Mano River union,why should he be given one? may he be found guilty and rots in jail. I dare that this writer will compared Mr. Chales Taylor[a flesh eating, blood thirst defacto detator] to Nkrumah and Biko who were one of Africa’s true leaders. Mr. Taylor can only be compared to Idi Amin Dauda. and it will all be proven at the conclusion of this trial.he did not give justice to Jackson F. Doe, Saye Dokie, and the people of the Mano River union,why should he be given one? may he be found guilty and rots in jail.

]]> By: Jeff Douglas http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/07/14/taylor-says-prosecution-case-is-full-of-misinformation-and-rumors/#comment-1617 Jeff Douglas Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:14:17 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4119#comment-1617 trying charles taylor is a misadventure .who is trying obasanjo eyadema and family,mommar ghadafi,omar bongo odinmba,sassou nguesso,ngema,etc ecowas and a ecomog should be called to question in the alleged atrocities too because they contributed and compelled charles to intervene in the first place in sierra leon. now the big question is,what happens to the iron woman in the presidential mansion that sponsored taylor. trying charles taylor is a misadventure .who is trying obasanjo eyadema and family,mommar ghadafi,omar bongo odinmba,sassou nguesso,ngema,etc
ecowas and a ecomog should be called to question in the alleged atrocities too because they contributed and compelled charles to intervene in the first place in sierra leon.
now the big question is,what happens to the iron woman in the presidential mansion that sponsored taylor.

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