Comments on: Taylor Refutes Rebel Radio Operator Evidence http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/ International Criminal Justice in the Making Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:42:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: noko5 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-8079 noko5 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:39:20 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-8079 Zolu, Thank you, infact, I think africa should form her african court, likewise every continent. So that if there was an indictment, witnesses will be search for by people of that continent. Instead of some one from zurich coming to talk to a guy in gblordeala nimba county, like ziza marzah who has eaten all his neighbors and their children. Zolu,
Thank you, infact, I think africa should form her african court, likewise every continent. So that if there was an indictment, witnesses will be search for by people of that continent. Instead of some one from zurich coming to talk to a guy in gblordeala nimba county, like ziza marzah who has eaten all his neighbors and their children.

]]> By: Noko4 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7726 Noko4 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:23:32 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7726 Thanks Alpha......just came across this reply. I understand the position on which you and Tracey will want to be or play. So let me be the judge on this matter and say LIE LIE and LIE. Thanks Alpha……just came across this reply.

I understand the position on which you and Tracey will want to be or play. So let me be the judge on this matter and say LIE LIE and LIE.

]]> By: SCSL: Taylor: The Accused Denies Contact With RUF in 1993-1994 « Justice Updated http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7120 SCSL: Taylor: The Accused Denies Contact With RUF in 1993-1994 « Justice Updated Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:39:51 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7120 [...] Article (CharlesTaylorTrial) | [...] [...] Article (CharlesTaylorTrial) | [...]

]]> By: jose Rodriguez http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7117 jose Rodriguez Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:48:08 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7117 Alpha, awesome. It is left with the judges to decide. One witnesses corroborating another witness statament or testimony, that's fine. I hope President Taylor witnesses will corroborate each other story also. I also hope they will say they heard prosecution witnesses saying that they were going to lie against Mr. Taylor in a meeting that with them. Alpha, the bottom line is we need concrete evidence such as videorecorder, taperecorder, voicemail, written letters with Taylor signature, Taylor physical presence in Sierraleone, confirmation from Taylor himself, photos, manefesto or some document. What is this? My words against your words court? The status of this court should be taken with all seriousness. This is a life and death situation. Even the UN always says Liberia is fragile. Will they continue to keep their fifteen thousands troops in Liberia forever? Alpha, awesome. It is left with the judges to decide. One witnesses corroborating another witness statament or testimony, that’s fine. I hope President Taylor witnesses will corroborate each other story also. I also hope they will say they heard prosecution witnesses saying that they were going to lie against Mr. Taylor in a meeting that with them.
Alpha, the bottom line is we need concrete evidence such as videorecorder, taperecorder, voicemail, written letters with Taylor signature, Taylor physical presence in Sierraleone, confirmation from Taylor himself, photos, manefesto or some document. What is this? My words against your words court? The status of this court should be taken with all seriousness. This is a life and death situation. Even the UN always says Liberia is fragile. Will they continue to keep their fifteen thousands troops in Liberia forever?

]]> By: Alpha Sesay http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7101 Alpha Sesay Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:19:39 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7101 Jose, You raise very important points. Many people on this forum are concerned about the strength of the evidence given by prosecution witnesses especially as it relates to Mr. Taylor's direct links to the crimes committed in Sierra Leone and his alleged relationship with RUF commanders in Sierra Leone. On the issue of the airstrip, i know that some of the witnesses who have spoken about this are radio operators and other RUF insiders who have said that they were either present when such dialogue took place between Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sankoh or later Sam Bockarie, or that they were told by either Sankoh or Bockarie that Mr. Taylor had given such an advice. On the strength of such evidence without a recorded or written message, that will be for the judges to determine. The judges will have to weigh the entire evidence of the various witnesses, consider the credibility of said witnesses, see whether other witnesses have corroborated what has been said by one witness or the other, etc. On the shipment of arms and ammunition from Burkina Faso and Libya and why not blame those countries, it is for the prosecutor to say why indictments were never filed against people in those two countries, and it will be for the judges to determine whether there is any nexus between the activities of people in those countries, Mr. Taylor and the RUF. I know that many people are focused on the evidence as it ought to be. As an independent monitoring program, we do not (at least, not right now) take a position on the evidence as it should/ought to be, but rather, the evidence as it is presented in court. I hope that i have been of help in explaining the issues. Alpha Jose,
You raise very important points. Many people on this forum are concerned about the strength of the evidence given by prosecution witnesses especially as it relates to Mr. Taylor’s direct links to the crimes committed in Sierra Leone and his alleged relationship with RUF commanders in Sierra Leone.

On the issue of the airstrip, i know that some of the witnesses who have spoken about this are radio operators and other RUF insiders who have said that they were either present when such dialogue took place between Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sankoh or later Sam Bockarie, or that they were told by either Sankoh or Bockarie that Mr. Taylor had given such an advice. On the strength of such evidence without a recorded or written message, that will be for the judges to determine. The judges will have to weigh the entire evidence of the various witnesses, consider the credibility of said witnesses, see whether other witnesses have corroborated what has been said by one witness or the other, etc.

On the shipment of arms and ammunition from Burkina Faso and Libya and why not blame those countries, it is for the prosecutor to say why indictments were never filed against people in those two countries, and it will be for the judges to determine whether there is any nexus between the activities of people in those countries, Mr. Taylor and the RUF.

I know that many people are focused on the evidence as it ought to be. As an independent monitoring program, we do not (at least, not right now) take a position on the evidence as it should/ought to be, but rather, the evidence as it is presented in court.

I hope that i have been of help in explaining the issues.

Alpha

]]> By: jose Rodriguez http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7013 jose Rodriguez Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:10:10 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7013 Alpha, this is my first time commenting to you directly. However, I do really admired your writing style, especailly the identical piece that I 'm responding to. You made it very clear, that you do not vouch of the veriacity for the witness' testimony. It is crystal clear. The witness said, Foday Sankor was advised by Taylor to build an Airstrip for the sole purpose of weapons and ammunition delivery. However, another witness said Taylor advised Sam Bockarie to construct Airstrip for the same obvious reason. However, there was no airstrip constructed. My question than is how did these witnesses know for fact that Sankor and Bockarie were advised my President Taylor. Were they present for the advice or someone else must have told them? Alpha, anybody can say anything about anybody; but whether what that person is saying is true and can be proven. In this case, there is no voice recorder, video recorder, transcript, admission from Mr. Taylor in order to support their claims. Seriously Alpha, what is this? it is easy for me to say Alpha Sassay advised me to write pro Taylor comments on this website, in fact, that's why this website was created. Wouldn't you challenge and ask for proof? We are watching. Another Interesting point. The arms and ammunitions will be flown from Libya and Bukanafaso. Does Taylor control both countries? Whose/what plane was to have allegedly transported these weapons? If you're blaming President Taylor, why not blame the two countries that the witnesses said weapon supplies were to come from? Alpha, this is my first time commenting to you directly. However, I do really admired your writing style, especailly the identical piece that I ‘m responding to. You made it very clear, that you do not vouch of the veriacity for the witness’ testimony. It is crystal clear. The witness said, Foday Sankor was advised by Taylor to build an Airstrip for the sole purpose of weapons and ammunition delivery. However, another witness said Taylor advised Sam Bockarie to construct Airstrip for the same obvious reason. However, there was no airstrip constructed. My question than is how did these witnesses know for fact that Sankor and Bockarie were advised my President Taylor. Were they present for the advice or someone else must have told them? Alpha, anybody can say anything about anybody; but whether what that person is saying is true and can be proven. In this case, there is no voice recorder, video recorder, transcript, admission from Mr. Taylor in order to support their claims. Seriously Alpha, what is this? it is easy for me to say Alpha Sassay advised me to write pro Taylor comments on this website, in fact, that’s why this website was created. Wouldn’t you challenge and ask for proof? We are watching.

Another Interesting point. The arms and ammunitions will be flown from Libya and Bukanafaso. Does Taylor control both countries? Whose/what plane was to have allegedly transported these weapons? If you’re blaming President Taylor, why not blame the two countries that the witnesses said weapon supplies were to come from?

]]> By: Zolu Jallah http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-7003 Zolu Jallah Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:44 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-7003 Gentlemen, thanks. I am today making a comment on the issues you have discussed today concerning the trial of Mr. Taylor. It is a good idea to debate the issues as one of the posters had remarked. Pls donot result into insults. Under the law, Mr. Taylor is innocent until proven by the court. Also, sometimes I think as to the jurisdiction of these courts. It is not that some strong people/countries want to get at certain people, hence the forums are used as the medium to achieve their wishes? I may be right or wrong. I am not saying that people accused of commiting war crimes should not be tried, bujt can they be tried in their countires, regions or continents? I hope we can reach the level where we can decide for ourselves in Africa. Zolu Gentlemen, thanks. I am today making a comment on the issues you have discussed today concerning the trial of Mr. Taylor. It is a good idea to debate the issues as one of the posters had remarked. Pls donot result into insults. Under the law, Mr. Taylor is innocent until proven by the court.

Also, sometimes I think as to the jurisdiction of these courts. It is not that some strong people/countries want to get at certain people, hence the forums are used as the medium to achieve their wishes? I may be right or wrong. I am not saying that people accused of commiting war crimes should not be tried, bujt can they be tried in their countires, regions or continents?

I hope we can reach the level where we can decide for ourselves in Africa.

Zolu

]]> By: Alpha Sesay http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-6951 Alpha Sesay Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:45:54 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-6951 Noko 4, Good question about the alleged construction of the airstrip. Here is my understanding of that issue based on the testimonies of witnesses. The witness here in question said that Mr. Taylor advised Foday Sankoh to construct an airstrip for the delivery of weapons by flight. He, however, did not say whether the said airstrip was constructed by Sankoh. Sometime last year, other witnesses testified about the construction of an airstrip in Magburaka in 1997 where arms were delivered for use by the RUF and AFRC. Also, another witness said that Mr. Taylor advised Sam Bockarie to construct another airstrip in the east of Sierra Leone. The witness said they commenced work on the airstrip in Kailahun (which is close to Kono) but could not continue with the said project. Meaning, that airstrip was not constructed. The witnesses further said that based on Mr. Taylor's advice, arms and ammunition will be flown directly from Libya or Burkina Faso for use by the RUF. Note that we do not vouch for the veracity of any of these testimonies. It will be for the judges to determine whether these witnesses are lying or saying the truth. Hope this helps, Alpha Noko 4,
Good question about the alleged construction of the airstrip. Here is my understanding of that issue based on the testimonies of witnesses. The witness here in question said that Mr. Taylor advised Foday Sankoh to construct an airstrip for the delivery of weapons by flight. He, however, did not say whether the said airstrip was constructed by Sankoh. Sometime last year, other witnesses testified about the construction of an airstrip in Magburaka in 1997 where arms were delivered for use by the RUF and AFRC. Also, another witness said that Mr. Taylor advised Sam Bockarie to construct another airstrip in the east of Sierra Leone. The witness said they commenced work on the airstrip in Kailahun (which is close to Kono) but could not continue with the said project. Meaning, that airstrip was not constructed. The witnesses further said that based on Mr. Taylor’s advice, arms and ammunition will be flown directly from Libya or Burkina Faso for use by the RUF.
Note that we do not vouch for the veracity of any of these testimonies. It will be for the judges to determine whether these witnesses are lying or saying the truth.
Hope this helps,
Alpha

]]> By: Alpha Sesay http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-6949 Alpha Sesay Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:26:09 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-6949 Harris, Perry or no other radio operator has produced recordings of radio communications between Taylor and the RUF or between any rebel commander and his colleagues. Based on the evidence presented so far, the radio communications were not recorded. They were rather noted in log books, i.e, note books in which the radio operators used to write any message sent or received to or on behalf of their commanders. Some of these log books have already been presented as evidence/exhibits by the prosecution but i cannot say what their full contents are. The recording of the BBC interview in January 1999 is different because it was a phone call made to the media for the hearing of the public unlike radio communications which were mostly confidential among the fighting forces. Harris,
Perry or no other radio operator has produced recordings of radio communications between Taylor and the RUF or between any rebel commander and his colleagues. Based on the evidence presented so far, the radio communications were not recorded. They were rather noted in log books, i.e, note books in which the radio operators used to write any message sent or received to or on behalf of their commanders. Some of these log books have already been presented as evidence/exhibits by the prosecution but i cannot say what their full contents are. The recording of the BBC interview in January 1999 is different because it was a phone call made to the media for the hearing of the public unlike radio communications which were mostly confidential among the fighting forces.

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/09/16/taylor-refutes-rebel-radio-operator-evidence/#comment-6905 Tracey Gurd Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:04:06 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4407#comment-6905 King Gray -- Thank you for your understanding. I will do my research and revert back to you. I do indeed understand the point you are trying to make. Best, Tracey King Gray — Thank you for your understanding. I will do my research and revert back to you. I do indeed understand the point you are trying to make.
Best,
Tracey

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