Good thread. I just want to know, how many of those who are talking down playing Ellen’s achievement have been to Liberia recently? Please someone tell me.

It is worrying that Mr. Griffiths has been ill a few times in recent weeks. But at the moment, I don’t think it is cause for an investigation or for concern beyond, of course, the concern for Mr. Griffiths’ own health and well-being. Honestly, I do think if Mr. Taylor’s defense team had the slightest worry that Mr. Griffiths was being poisoned — by his microphone, food, or any other way — they would not hesitate to raise it with the judges or say it publicly. But Mr. Griffiths’ own defense team and his own doctor have put it down to illness that can happen to anyone. And Mr. Griffiths himself came out on the BBC World Service Trust a few weeks ago after he suffered from food poisoning and told listeners that he was not poisoned by anyone.

Noko5, we would be as concerned as anyone if Mr. Griffiths’ team raised the spectre of poisoning. We would also be wanting such an allegation to be investigated thoroughly. But as yet, if Mr. Griffiths and his team are not raising that worry. Until we hear such a concern from them, we just have to hope Mr. Griffiths gets better and can be back in the courtroom soon (hopefully by Monday when the trial resumes!)

Best,
Tracey

I can’t say more than what you have said on the issue of corruption in Liberia. I quite agree with you. On the issue of war crime court to bring to book those who committed the worse atrocities during the Liberian civil conflict, I feel disappointed on the fact that the TRC Final Unedited Report submitted to the National Legislature is being filibuster for passage into law. For obvious reasons the TRC report has suffered this way. Some of those sanctioned in the report are the very ones to vote the passage of the document,

My hope and prayer is that this war crime court come to Liberia to set records straight.

This is not the issue of corruption in Liberia. This is about war crimes in SL. Talk about corruption, we know that Taylor was the good guy especially when civil servants were not paid for over three years.

I think Ellen is doing a good job to pay all Taylor arrears he owed civil servants and still meets up with her obligations to civil servants. At least Civil Servants pay is regularize, with an attempt to bring Bryant and others to justice.

How many individuals did Taylor ever attempted to prosecute?

Let us talk about war crimes not corruption. It is an age old problem in Africa.

Wow! While there are some who want to see CT and all those who committed the worse of atrocities prosecuted, I am a strong advocate for War Crimes court in Liberia. I think Andrew can bear witness to my avowed support for this. Some truly are, as you termed, it “Taylor Haters”, some of us try to allow cool heads prevail. I think all warlords should be punished. It will send a message that will discourage future acts. I think the act of dissecting pregnant women, beheading people in front of family members and ask that they laugh is inexcusable, rape, sexual slavery these are all acts that should be punished. Frankly, I like Ellen, but I will not blindly support anyone, if it is recommended that she faces the courts too, so be it. No one is above the law. What I’ve learned about the power hierarchy here in the USA. If you believe in God, Allah, or a supreme being, this is the first tier; the second tier, are the courts, then everyone falls below that (third tier).

CORRUPTION:
Corruption is so much the fabric of Liberian society that it is eroding our social well-being while at the same time leaving our nation bankrupt. There will always be corruption, unless we strength our judicial system (Andrew and I are proponent of this). Until that is done, there is no way we can stop it. You see, laws are established and enforced to discourage these acts. No one has been punished and for corruption, so while should anyone stop? I am not condoning this at all…what I am alluding to; like war crimes, unless the system is allowed to work and punish with every letter of the law, there is nothing to discourage someone. Ellen government like all administrations prior suffered the same. Tubman, Tolbert (as David Lamb said, though he (Tolbert) was a descent man, he was not untouched by corruption), Doe, all the interim governments, CT and Bryant, now Ellen. I think it’s unbalanced to point the fingers at Ellen only, which one of these administrations ever suggested fighting corruption or attempted to pursue a case. King, you suggest that I stop, “perpetrating myth”, come on your allegations are not myths, but at best fallacies?

You mentioned the 1M dollar into Ellen’s account, if you have truly followed the investigation a forensic professional submitted her report and it was obvious someone forged the signatures of some officials of government including the President. Read frontpageafrica, its all there…and I am not a fan of frontpage either.

You mentioned Banks, I think an independent commission should be set up and if any evidence of misappropriation, he should be prosecuted and sent to jail.

Bro. King, I sincerely reading your post at times they are objective and other times they are Hollywoodish, a nice fairy tale–this some has some characteristics of Hollywood, especially the 1M bank account transfer. Anyhow, I’ve directed you to frontpageafrica.com, you should get clarification where doubts exist.

There might have been an oversight, but we have not seen an upload of the Transcript of August 31, however the one of September 1 has been posted.

Best.