Sirleaf, Blair, Kabah meet in Freetown: Hold Bilateral talks

(FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, May 31, 2007): Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Africa must take responsibility for maintaining peace on the continent. The President said, long gone are the days of the non-interference, when Africa countries stood by while conflicts engulfed their neighbors. The events of recent years, President Johnson Sirleaf observed, have proven that if provided adequate support, Africa could ably tackle conflict situations on the continent.
According to Presidential Press Secretary, Cyrus Wleh Badio, who traveled with the President to Freetown, the Liberian leader made the remarks when she addressed local and foreign journalists on the outskirts of the Sierra Leonean capital, following bilateral talks with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
President Sirleaf lauded Prime Minister Blair for the stance taken in the Sierra Leonean conflict when that country intervened to stop the carnage five years ago. Sierra Leonean President, Tejan Kabbah was also full of praises for the Outgoing Prime Minister and his country’s assistance in helping Sierra Leone recover from years of destruction.
Mr. Blair concurred with the two Mano River Union leaders, saying his country’s intervention helped stop those he referred to as gangsters, criminals and terrorists, who raped women and created mayhem in the country. “Had we fail to intervene’ the Prime Minister argued ‘the impact would have been grave not only for this country or the region but for the world.” No matter how tough and detrimental the decision is, the British Prime Minister said, it is better to intervene than wait until a conflict spills out of control.
Mr. Blair said, he shared President Johnson Sirleaf’s view that Africa must take responsibility for peace on the continent. Developed countries, the British Prime Minister said, must however, provide funding, training, equipment and logistics to ensure the mission’s success.
He praised the level of progress taking place in Liberia and Sierra-Leone and urged the West to step
Blair, Kabah and Sirleaf at news conference in Freetown
Pres. Sirleaf and Tony Blair in Freetown
Presidents Sirleaf of Liberia and Kabah of Sierra Leone
up and support ongoing initiatives. On Sierra-Leone, the Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges facing the country, but said much progress has been made compared to what obtained five years ago when the country was being taken over by gangsters. “Politics is all about making a difference, and I believe a difference has been made in Sierra-Leone.”
The meeting with the British Prime Minister, by President Johnson Sirleaf, is the latest round of discussions with leading members of the G-8, ahead the Group’s upcoming meeting in Germany in June. Liberia is seeking the waiver of its multi-lateral debt owed the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank.
The President last week held talks in Berlin with the German Chancellor, Angela Markel and the new French President Nicholas Sakozy. President Johnson Sirleaf returned to Monrovia Wednesday evening following the discussions with Mr. Blair.

Source: Cyrus Wleh BadioPress Secretary to Pres. Sirleaf

LIBERIAN GOV'T LIFTS BAN ON INDEPENDENCE NEWSPAPER

Recent ban imposed on the Independence Newspaper by the Liberian Government for publishing what the government called “obscene photographs” of former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Willis Knuckles having sex with two unidentified women has been lifted.
Announcing the lifting of the ban yesterday evening, Liberia’s Information Minister, Rev. Dr. Lawrence M. Bropleh said the action to lift the ban on the paper was in keeping with the Ministry’s statuary mandate to serve as the regulator and enforcement body of the Government in all matters affecting communication in Liberia.
He said the Government of Liberia respects the right to freedom of expression, but at the same times acknowledges the responsibility that goes along with it. The Liberian Information also said the revocation of the paper’s operational license was in keeping with Chapter 31.8 of the ministry’s mandate.
Chapter 31.8 gives the Ministry of Information the responsibility of formulating regulations affecting journalists and journalism in Liberia, and to ensure the highest possible standard of professional competence.
Speaking to our Correspondent in the Liberian Capital immediately after the ban imposed on his paper by the Liberian Government was lifted, the Managing Editor of the paper, Sam O. Dean said he had not regret for his paper publishing what the Liberian described as “obscene photographs”, but instead he did perform his professional duty; informing and educating the reading public.
Permalink Edit... Deprecate! Delete!

Charges Against Ex-First Lady of Ghana to be Reduced

Madam Nana

Konadu Agyeman

Rawlings

Accra, GNA - Prosecution in the case of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, a former First Lady and five others alleged to have willfully caused financial loss to the state in respect of the divestiture of the GIHOC Cannery at Nsawam, said charges against them would be substituted.
Ms. Gertrude Aikins, Chief State Attorney and Acting Director for Public Prosecution, explained that the original charges which were made up of 30 counts would be reduced to nine.
The other five accused persons are Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, a former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC), Thomas Benson Owusu, a former Accountant of the DIC, Kwame Peprah, a former Minister of Finance and former Chairman of the DIC, Sherry Ayittey, Managing Director of Carridem Development Company Limited, property of 31 December Women's Movement and Carridem as an entity.
They are variously charged with 30 counts of conspiracy, causing financial loss to public property, conspiracy to obtain public property by false statement and obtaining public property by false statement. They have all denied the offences and have been admitted to self-recognisance bail.
Earlier, Georgina Okaitey, General Manager, Larry Adjetey, Director Secretary and George Mould, a Director all of Carridem, were discharged at the instance of prosecution.
The accused persons were alleged to have caused loss to public property running into billions of cedis, following the acquisition of state-owned GIHOC Cannery at Nsawam by Caridem Development Company Limited.
This, the prosecution had stated that the accused persons failed to complete interest payment, which accrued on the purchase price of the cannery. The case has been adjourned for tomorrow, June 1.

As British P.M. Visit Freetown, Dozens of witnesses Expressed Interest To Testify Against Charles Taylor war crimes

THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Dozens of witnesses will be called in Charles Taylor's trial to link the former Liberian president to atrocities committed during Sierra Leone's civil war in the 1990s, Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp said Wednesday.
Those witnesses include insiders claiming to have seen Taylor instigate and give orders leading to war crimes, Rapp said.
The long-awaited trial begins Monday with the prosecution's four-hour opening statement, then will adjourn until June 25 when it will hear the first of the 150 witnesses the prosecution plans to summon to the stand.
Taylor's defense will give its opening statement after the prosecution rests its case, in about one year, Rapp said. The trial should take about 18 months before the judges retire to consider their verdict.
Taylor, 59, is facing 11 charges of terrorism, murder, rape, sexual slavery, mutilation and recruiting child soldiers. He has pleaded innocent to all counts.

He was arrested last year and flown to the Netherlands amid fears that staging his trial in Sierra Leone, where the court usually sits, could trigger fresh unrest or even attempts by his supporters to break him out of prison.
Of the 150 scheduled prosecution witnesses, 62 will testify "to Taylor's control, to his orders, to his instigation, to his plans, to his provision of assistance of arms, training, safe refuge to the rebels, with full knowledge of the atrocities they were committing to the civilian population," he told the Netherlands-based Foreign Press Association.
Some of those witnesses were from Taylor's inner circle. Some may have shared responsibility for crimes, but were not being prosecuted because the court chose to pursue only those most responsible, he said.
Most of them will testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities from public disclosure, though the defense will know who they are. Some will be eligible for relocation after the trial to avoid retribution.
During a pretrial hearing three weeks ago, defense attorney Karim Khan said potential witnesses feared leaving Sierra Leone to testify on Taylor's behalf for fear of identifying themselves as his associates and exposing themselves to possible U.N. sanctions.
Khan also complained that the two defense lawyers and three legal aides were outgunned by the 10-man prosecution team. Taylor, although he was reported to have stashed away huge wealth from his years in power, has declared himself unable to pay for his own defense team and relies on court-appointed counsel.
Operating from his residence in Monrovia known as White Flower, Taylor never entered Sierra Leone during the conflict, making it a challenge for the prosecution to link him to the actions of rebel forces.
"We don't say he chopped off any hands himself. We don't say he shot anybody himself," Rapp said. "We have a variety of evidence showing that these people (the rebels) viewed Taylor as the boss man, as the person responsible," Rapp said.
The upheaval in West Africa "was a kind of terrorism," he said. "It was, in our view, a systematic attack against civilians with the intent to take control of Sierra Leone."
The Special Court for Sierra Leone has no maximum sentence. Life imprisonment is not in its statute, but Taylor could be sentenced to a term that would leave him jail for his expected lifetime. Under a U.N. sanctioned agreement, Britain has agreed to imprison him if he is convicted.

Liberia President Vetoes Financial Autonomy Act, As Parliament Speaker Cite Colleagues

President Ellen Johnson has vetoed the controversial Financial Autonomy Act submitted to her office by the National Legislature for her approval.

President Sirleaf said the Act was not interest of the country and people, and was a violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. In her veto message to the Senate, President Sirleaf said the Act violates Article 2 and 34 of the Constitution.

Financial Autonomy Act seeks to make quarterly disbursements of their budget and would not be subject to tax deduction, but rather increase. There has been mounting public criticisms of the Act which some citizens described as being very “selfish” and “inconsiderate.”

Prior to the submission of the Act to her office, President Sirleaf had forewarned that she would out rightly reject it. The lawmakers argued that they want to control their own budget to avoid the many bureaucratic and embarrassing procedures they go through to get their own money they work for.

But President Sirleaf has said a Legislative Bureau would be established at the Ministry of Finance to handle the lawmaker’s problem rather than enacting an Act that is not in the interest of the state. The Senate has meanwhile set up a committee to look into the President’s bulky veto letter.

In Baghdad Mahdi Army 'seized kidnapped Britons'

Police In Baghdad searches a Vehicle


A Shia militia commander claimed today that the five British nationals kidnapped in Baghdad were driven straight into a hostage holding centre in a neighbourhood ruled by the firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

A cell commander in Sadr's Mahdi Army, the militia suspected of orchestrating the kidnapping, told The Daily Telegraph that the five men were taken to the centre near Mudafra Square in Sadr City, the Iraqi capital's biggest Shia district.

He claimed that the order to seize the hostages, who were visiting the finance ministry in central Baghdad, was handed down by Hassan Salim, the leading figure in the Mahdi Army militia in Sadr City.

"We are holding the British until they release our brothers from Camp Buca in Basra," he said. "There are hundreds there under British security, some of them for years. When they are released the British will be allowed to go."
However, other Mahdi Army spokesmen denied that the powerful militia played any part in the kidnappings.

The contradictory messages followed raids by Iraqi and American troops in Sadr City, Baghdad's largest Shia neighbourhood, in an operation that ended early today. Residents said areas of Sadr City were sealed off and several arrests were made.

Iraqi forces have established a special battalion of soldiers and police officers to search for the kidnapped men. "We are conducting search operations near the site where the abduction took place," said Brig Gen Qassim al Musawi, an Iraqi army spokesman.

"Maybe today or in the coming few days, we will find them with the help of secret intelligence."
Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, said British officials were doing all they could to secure the "swift and safe release" of the Britons.
Mrs Beckett said it was a very distressing time for all those concerned, and that the Foreign Office was providing assistance to the abducted men's families.

Later Tony Blair, speaking on a trip to Sierra Leone, said: "We know the dangers and challenges [in Iraq], we shouldn't let those who are prepared to use kidnapping and terrorism succeed."
Canon Andrew White, an Anglican clergyman in Baghdad, shares a compound with employees of the GardaWorld security firm, four of whom were snatched along with a computer expert they were protecting.

He said today that he had been in contact with the Mahdi Army and suspected the kidnap was carried out in revenge for the killing last week of a leading figure from the militia group in a joint Iraqi-British operation in the southern Shia city of Basra.
"We now see that there is very likely a connection between these two," he said.
The Iraqi foreign minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, said he suspected that Mahdi militiamen were the most likely candidates behind the kidnappings and were probably assisted by local police. Dozens of gunmen wearing paramilitary police uniforms kidnapped the men on Tuesday.
Mr Zebari told the BBC: "The location is of interest to everybody. It's near Sadr City, which is a Shia-dominated area controlled mainly by... the Mahdi Army, who have been very active there." He described the raid as a "sophisticated operation".
"The number of people who were involved in the operation to seal off the building, to set roadblocks and to get into the building with such confidence must have some connections," he said.
"There must be some unholy, unruly militias working beyond the law in that area, with this connection with the local police, to be able kidnap these people."
Mr Zebari said the kidnappings highlighted the persistent problem of infiltration of Iraqi security forces by militias.
"It has been a known fact for some time that the interior ministry police, security units and forces are corrupt, are penetrated," he said.



"This issue is a very serious, challenging fact to the government itself."
The men have yet to be named and no demands have been made by the kidnappers, who could yet prove to be independent of the mainstream Shia militias.
It is feared that a renegade, criminal Shia group could sell on the men to another organisation such as al-Qa'eda.

In London, the Cobra committee of senior security officials is meeting again today to discuss the crisis in the Iraqi capital, where SAS soldiers are on standby to mount a rescue mission.
GardaWorld provides personal protection services from a compound in Baghdad's Green Zone.
The raid marks the first time that Westerners have been snatched from a government building in Iraq.

More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. Almost a third have been executed by their captors, including the British contractor Ken Bigley and the humanitarian worker Margaret Hassan.

Liberian Women in U.S. Presents 7th Annual Miss Liberia

"We will fight to remove corrupt figures" - VP Tells Liberians in U.S.

The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia in his first visit to the United States of America since elections, addressed the 17th convention of the Grand Gedeh Associations held in the city of Des Moines, Iowa.

The women of Grand Gedeh escorted the vice president from the entrance to the platform with song and dance and welcomed him to the program as characteristic of people from Grand Gedeh.

The Vice President during his prepared text emphasized that the visit was on invitation from the Grand Gedeh Association and used the occasion to trace his relationship with the people to the leadership of a son of the county, former president Samuel K. Doe. The VP is a former Minister of Agriculture during the administration of President Samuel K Doe who originated from Grand Gedeh county. The VP’s speech which was filled with the reconciliation message also described the process of reconciliation, not as a banquet but a process. He further went on to recommend a search for mutuality to overcome the causes of conflict. With regards to the TRC, the VP averred that the process takes time and offered the audience a working definition of the TRC and how it works, what are the limits, and how it will be used to evaluate the pattern of abuses committed by alleged perpetrators, and how this process can contribute to development. Continuing, the VP admonished that the TRC is also designed to address issues of impunity, women’s issues and to help us in healing our wounds. He also stated in his speech that the UP lead government is committed to pursuing genuine national reconciliation and development of the country. He then promised that the government will fight corruption and will not relent in the removal of corrupt figures from the rank and file of the administration. With regards to the recent waves of deportation of Liberians from the US and the crimes associated, the VP expressed shock and dismay that Liberians are now involved in such heinous crimes within such an accepting society. Finally, he promised that the UP lead government has vowed to eradicate poverty and enforce good governance making Liberia a place where Liberians are known by a name and not a number and finally quoting scripture saying, “Where one or two are gathered…” Before the arrival of the VP, the MC of the program Mr. Willie Par Branch provided a brief synopsis of the history of the Liberian vice presidency, reciting the history of various vice presidents up to the current one. The president then traveled to Minnesota where he held a town hall style meeting with the Liberian community in the state.

NEW NIGERIAN PRESIDENT SWORN IN, AS OBASANJO TELLS 'GOODBYE'

(bbcnews)Umaru Yar'Adua has been sworn in as Nigeria's new president at a colourful ceremony in the capital, Abuja.

Standing on a podium in a parade ground dressed in a white gown, Mr Yar'Adua was cheered by his supporters after he signed the oath of office.

The inauguration marks the first time in Nigeria's history that one civilian leader has taken over from another.

But his election was widely condemned as "not credible" and small protests were held in the largest city, Lagos.

"I, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and hold allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria... That I will protect and defend the constitution," said Mr Yar'Adua, taking the oath from Chief Justice Idris Kutigi.

A few minutes previously, Goodluck Jonathan, from the troubled oil-producing Niger Delta region, was sworn in as vice-president.

Nigeria's 36 state governors have also taken their oaths of office around the country.

'Democracy is dead'

Security was tight in both Abuja and Lagos, with police setting up roadblocks.

In Lagos, the BBC's Umar Elleman says hundreds of protesters marched from Ikeja to the Yaba area, watched closely bThe protesters, led by activist Tunji Braithwaite, said they were mourning the death of democracy in Nigeria.

"Democracy is dead in Nigeria. So, we have come out on the streets to bury democracy," protester Justin Jalingo told the BBC.

Five of the protesters were arrested as they carried a mock coffin of outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In Abuja, Mr Obasanjo was driven into Eagle Square for the ceremony in an open jeep, waving to spectators in the reviewing stands.

Anglican bishop Peter Akinola gave an opening prayer before military bands and Nigerian soldiers in dress uniforms performed a slow march around the square.

The crowd, containing several African leaders and foreign diplomats, was also entertained by a troupe of synchronised dancers and police motorcycle stunt riders.

The BBC's Alex Last in Abuja says President Yar'Adua will have to prove his independence from Mr Obasanjo, who picked his successor and remains chairman of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

He adds that Mr Yar'Adua inherits many challenges in Africa's most populous country and largest oil producer.

'Strengthened democracy'

Armstrong Adejo, a university teacher in Makurdi, Benue State in central Nigeria told the BBC: "I pray that God can transform him from a man with a questionable mandate into the leader we all crave."
A two-day strike called by trade unions in protest at alleged electoral fraud has so far received a muted response.

After many years of military rule, Mr Obasanjo was elected president in 1999 and served two four-year terms.

In his farewell address on Monday evening, Mr Obasanjo pledged his support for Mr Yar'Adua and his government, and said he was leaving the country with a strengthened democracy.

"We have run the longest democratic dispensation and eliminated the risk of violent changes of government through coups and counter-coups in our political culture," Mr Obasanjo said.

The election commission, Inec, has denied charges that it favored the PDP during last month's elections.

Mr Yar'Adua won a landslide victory in those polls, according to official results. He has promised to introduce electoral reforms.

The two main opposition candidates have challenged the results in court.

Africa Mercy hospital ship docks at Monrovia's port

"Mercy has arrived in Monrovia" said Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships of Garden Valley on Tuesday. Stephens spoke to the Tyler Morning Telegraph by phone from his stateroom on the Africa Mercy, the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship that docked in Monrovia, Liberia, that morning."

For years we've said (of the hospital ship) that 'mercy is coming, mercy is coming,'" Stephens said. "The sense I have on this very exciting day is that mercy has now arrived in Monrovia. Our mission is to deliver free world-class health care to the forgotten poor."Liberia's president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, will officially welcome Mercy Ships in a ceremony.

Africa Mercy docks with 474-member crew at the ship on Monday. Crew members and volunteers cheered and many were in tears, Stephens said, as the Africa Mercy docked near its sister-ship the Anastasis, the flagship for the Texas faith-based charity's medical mission for 29 years,The 16,500-ton Africa Mercy is 499 feet long and has six operating theatres, a 78-bed ward, dental clinic, CT scanner, X-ray room, pharmacy and berths for a 474-member crew."

A Swiss board member, Francoise Andre, onboard the Africa Mercy told me this was the most memorable day of her life," Stephens said. "This was significant because her husband's firm did the feasibility study for the Anastasis nearly 30 years ago.

They've been with us from the beginning."The purchase and conversion of the Africa Mercy, the former rail ferry Droning Ingrid, into a $62 million state-of-the-art hospital ship was funded by donations and gifts-in-kind, including a $10 million matching grant by the Swiss-based Oak Foundation, said Mercy Ships.

The first field service of the Africa Mercy will be led by a crew of more than 400 volunteer professionals from 30 nations, including doctors, dentists, nurses, community developers, teachers, builders, cooks, seamen and engineers.

In addition to donating their time, volunteers pay their own board costs to work on the Africa Mercy.Advance teams have already prescreened patients for the Africa Mercy, Stephens said."Tomorrow the medical volunteers will go over the schedule minute by minute," he said.

"What I'm going to do is visit the crews of each ship and express my gratitude to as many as I can meet."Flying to Liberia for the arrival of the ship, Stephens said he and his wife Deyon were approached by a Liberian man who's seen a BBC report on the new ship."

He was so grateful and told us the ship's effect 'will bless Liberia for decades to come,'" Stephens siad. "Many people on the plane were headed to Liberia on mission trips of their own, and were talking about the ship."The 53-year-old Anastasis, which means "resurrection" in Greek, will be retired this fall. It has served more than 275 ports, performed about 450,000 medical treatments and 200,000 operations for the charity since 1980.

"Seeing this day come fills me with gratitude to God and the faithful partners and staff who brought this to pass," Stephens said. "It prompts me to worship and get on my knees when I look over the three decades that Mercy Ships has been operating."

By PATRICK BUTLERReligion Editor - Tyler Paperreligion@tylerpaper.com

Armed Robbers Attack Church, Inflicting Wounds on Several Members

Following an attack on the Police chief Beatrice Munah Sieh’s in Bardnersville home, robbers armed with machetes and other dangerous implements last Friday attacked the New Georgia compound of the Philadelphia Free Pentecostal Church, inflicting severe wounds on two persons, taking away with them several valuables.

A day after that attack, a 59- years old sheriff of the Gardnersville Magisterial Court, Mr. Benedict N. Wiah, was attacked by men armed with machetes and pipes in the vicinity of the chicken poultry, New Georgia.

The attacks intensify as the Police launch its operation code name, “Locate & Dismantle Criminal Hide outs.

Mr. Moses Gleen, a deactivated Lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) who is also one of the Security guards on duty at the Church’s premises, told the New Democrat that the group of men approached them in the middle of the night their handsets and everything they had on them.

He said at first they took the men to be Police officers on night patrol, but later realize they were far from being Police officers because of the demands they were making.

Mr. Gleen, “At this time, I had managed to escape with my military experienced but two men pursue me. Because I ran faster, I hid myself behind a palm tree, so they did not find me.”

He said that while in his hide out behind the palm tree, he could hear the shouts of his colleague calling for help. ‘He was being stabbed’, Gleen noted. He said, the shouts of my colleague constrain Patrick Sarwieh, a resident of the Church compound to come out and offer help but he was callously attacked.

Sarwieh is currently receiving treatment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital where the Church authorities say his condition is critical.

In the case of 59 years old sheriff of the Gardnersville Magisterial Court, he was hit on Saturday attacked by men armed with machetes and pipes in the vicinity of the chicken poultry, New Georgia.

Mr. Wiah, who was left with a disjointed arm, told this paper that three men forced his door open and attacked him by 2AM while he was at sleep.

He said he believe the men were more than three because he heard other voices outside threatening his neighbors not to come out.

Divided U.S. Congress approves Iraq war funds

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A divided U.S. Congress on Thursday approved $100 billion to keep fighting the war in Iraq, as Democrats pledged to resurrect failed attempts to force President George W. Bush to withdraw troops.

Passage of the legislation capped a four-month struggle between Bush and the new Democratic-led Congress over the increasingly unpopular Iraq war, now in its fifth year.

Underscoring Democratic division, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California voted against it and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada voted for it.

Three Democratic senators running for president -- Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut -- opposed providing money with no withdrawal deadlines. But Joseph Biden of Delaware, also a presidential hopeful, voted yes.

With this latest installment, the United States will have allocated more than $565 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, according to the Congressional Research Service. Most of the money has gone to fight in Iraq.

Bush pleaded for patience but warned of more tough times ahead. "It could be a bloody -- it could be a very difficult August," he told reporters at the White House.

But he also made clear September will be an important period, when the U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, will report on the impact of the troop buildup and make a recommendation on how to proceed.

The House voted 280-142 for the emergency funding bill, while the Senate passed it 80-14.

On May 1, Bush vetoed a Democratic bill that would have begun withdrawing U.S. soldiers from Iraq by Oct. 1 and Democrats did not have the votes to reverse him.

Lawmakers approved the revamped bill just before leaving for a long Memorial Day recess as war funds were running out.

The Republican president is expected to promptly sign into law the bill, which for the first time would set a series of "benchmarks" to measure progress in Iraq and ties a small amount of non-military U.S. aid to that progress.

"This is a token. This is a small step forward. Instead we should have a giant step forward into a new direction," Pelosi said.

U.S. anti-war groups slammed Democrats for allowing the bill to pass.

Pelosi said Democrats will quickly resume their drive to impose deadlines for pulling U.S. combat troops out of Iraq.

She said she will put on the House agenda a bill to repeal Congress' 2002 authorization of the Iraq war and said Democrats will use next year's military spending bills to try to end the war that has killed at least 3,420 U.S. soldiers and wounded more than 34,000. Iraqis have suffered far worse casualties.

According to a CBS News/New York Times poll, 76 percent of Americans believe the war is going somewhat or very badly for the United States and only 20 percent said Bush's recent troop increase is making a positive difference.

Congressional Republicans are beginning to talk about the possible need for a change in direction within a few months.

One influential Republican senator, John Warner of Virginia, said a new U.S. strategy might be needed by July if problems in Iraq do not improve.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, his voice cracking with emotion, denounced the insurgents in Iraq and said the United States must prevail.

"When are we going to stand up and take them on? When are we going to defeat them? If we don't do it now, if we don't have the courage to defeat this enemy, we will long long regret it," Boehner said.

Besides buying more ammunition, armored vehicles and aircraft for the wars, the spending bill provides more aid for countries ranging from Lebanon to Liberia and gives $185.5 million to help refugees and others displaced in Iraq, Afghanistan and African countries.

Next Tuesday is U.N. Peacekeeping Day

On Tuesday, 29 May the fifth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers will be observed worldwide to honour all peacekeepers, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.

In Liberia, UNMIL will observe Day, beginning at 10 a.m., with a wreath-laying ceremony at UNMIL Headquarters, Pan African Plaza in Monrovia in remembrance of all fallen peacekeepers worldwide.

The ceremony will bring together the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Alan Doss and the United Nations family, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior officials of the Liberian Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, UN family members, other partners and all peacekeepers.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, journalists will be taken to various communities in Monrovia and its suburbs to cover UNMIL peacekeepers providing humanitarian assistance – such as free medical services by military medical personnel - to Liberians. Similar activities will be taking place in other parts of the country

Armed Men Visits Liberian Police Chief

Men dressed in black described as armed robbers last Friday night attacked the Barnersville compound of Police Inspector General Beatrice Munah Sieh, and an officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Col. Edward Wreh, according to neighbors. Both homes are opposite each other.

Five police officers providing security at the compound are reportedly undergoing investigation, sources say.

Police Public Affairs Chief, Mr. Alvin Jask, when contacted, said he was verifying the news and would get back to this paper. Up to press, there was no word from the police.

The armed men, one who neighbors said carried a new AK-47, struck before the police chief arrived home. Neighbors said the police chief does not reside in the house but on Front Street, her actual residence. There is, however, a team of policemen stationed there.

One of the Police officers who was on duty the night the robbers struck said, the robbers put him at gun point and ordered him back in the Police chief’s compound.

“They were more than seven,” he said, adding, “I saw two AK-47 rifles with them.”
The officer, Randall Gaye, said the incident occurred after the heavy down pour of rain last Friday night. “The generator was off,” he said.

Officer Randall: “We were five on duty but three of our colleagues had gone on patrol. So, we were two that remained on guard. So I told my other colleague to be on the alight, asking that he go and check around the house. I came out by way of the small gate, and when I got out I saw a group of people.

They flashed the light on me. And asked me to go back in the fence. And I also asked them because I wanted to know who they were, and I said why is it that when you people come on patrol you like to flash light in your fellow officers’ eye. Then I saw arm pointing to me, they had two AK-47,” he said.

“I then took three steps back and entered the fence and ran to wake up the Director’s children informing them that we have been attacked by armed robbers. So we dialed 355, as I was in, they were bouncing on my friend, the next noise I heard after that was here (pointing to the Col Wreh’s house).

“I was in the room when I heard the noise outside, so I opened my door thinking that the police had arrested someone,” Col. Wreh explained.

“I wanted to see for myself. Right away a man with cutlass came to me and the rest numbering about six came in our house. They entered the children’s room and lifted up the arm against my daughter, who shouted loudest. Since then she has not recover from the trauma,” Col. Wreh added.

“I just took her from hospital,” an elderly woman, the girl’s mother said displaying few drugs.
The attack comes days after the Police Inspector General declared her force would ensure criminals have no hiding places, particularly as the rainy season approaches, a time of increase in criminal activities. Police thereafter announced the arrest of two men they said are the bosses of the feared Isakaba gangs roaming the city at night with machetes and guns.

Police sources and residents this week said the Barnersville community, where the police chief has her compound, has been under sustained armed attack for a week, leaving police helpless to launch a counter-offensive due to logistical and other inadequacies.

Role of UN Volunteers absolutely crucial, says UN Envoy

The role played by the UN Volunteers (UNVs) was “absolutely crucial” to the successes accomplished by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), said Mr. Alan Doss, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), at an event held in Monrovia recently to honour more than 250 UN Volunteers from 69 countries serving in the war-torn nation.

He added that their help was still needed in reconstruction, human rights, and to support national capacity building.

“UNMIL is moving into a new phase next year, but that does not mean it is leaving,” he said, and urged the Volunteers to continue their invaluable contributions to the country. “We still need to help this country recover from those many dreadful years of war, conflict, violence and abuse. We are all here for the same purpose – to help Liberia get back on its feet.”

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the six longest serving UN Volunteers in UNMIL, Marcel Lwamba Afanya (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Robert Abass Bangura (Sierra Leone), Joyce Curtis-Hooke (Sierra Leone), Daniel Mensah-Brande (Ghana), Mafulu Mudingombi (DRC) and Seblewongel Worku Tammirie (Ethiopia).
The UNV Programme Manager, Mr. Olufemi Olugbemi, said the six Volunteers who received the recognition award had taken volunteerism to a new level.

“The UN Volunteer is no longer an unknown or strange entity; volunteers have proven to be the added advantage to peacekeeping operations by enduring tests of perseverance, patience and technical competence,” he noted.

The six awardees with SRSG Doss (centre) and UNV Programme Manager Olugbemi (left)
The awardees are currently serving the mission in the Civil Affairs, Public Information, Transport, Communication, and Information and Technology sections, and have been serving UNMIL since 2003. Since the inception of UNMIL, over 672 UNVs representing more than 70 nationalities have worked in the mission.

The event was also attended by the Director of Administration, Mr. Stephen Lieberman, among other UNMIL staff members.

Source: UNMIL Information Section

Liberian President, German Chancellor Hold Talks In Berlin

Pres. Sirleaf(L), German Chancellor(R)

(Berlin, Germany, May 22, 2007): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday held talks with senior German government officials including Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the Bundeskanzleramt, the official seat of goverment in Berlin. The discussions, according to an Executive Mansion dispatch, centered around Liberia-German cooperation and other regional and sub-regional issues, ahead of the pending G-8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany in June. Dr. Merkel reiterated her government’s decision to cancel the bilateral debt Liberia owes her country.

On Liberia’s multi-lateral debt, the Germany Chancellor said a solution must be found within the G-8 process to the address the

“The issue will be placed on the agenda, She assured the President, “We will ensure that you get a little room to breathe, ” the first female Chancellor of Germany noted, assuring President Johnson Sirleaf that Germany will exert its influence to ensure that the debt problem is addressed. Chancellor Merkel welcomed the Africa Partnership Forum now taking place in Berlin, describing it as a unique opportunity for fostering partnership between Africa and Germany.

Responding, the Liberian leader congratulated Chancellor Merkel on her election as Chancellor of Germany and as Chairman of the G-8 conference in June.

The debt burden, the President pointed out, continues to be a major impediment to the country’s development initiatives. The President lauded the German government for announcing the cancellation of Liberia’s bilateral debt.

She informed the German leader of measures now in place to put the country back on track, through among other actions, the implementation of sound fiscal policies and the tapping of the traditional sectors of growth, including iron ore, rubber, forestry and mining.

The creation of jobs for the citizenry particularly for the youth, the President acknowledged, remains a major challenge. “We must put our people back to work; It is important for Liberia to succeed,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, Germany has announced additional funding to support development initiatives in Liberia. At a meeting Monday with President Johnson Sirleaf, the State Minister, Gernot Erler, announced that his country was making available 11.5 million euros (14.95 – million US dollars) to support reconstruction in Liberia.

At the same time, a delegation of German businessmen has announced plans to visit Liberia in October. The Group, under the auspices of the German-African Business Association, made the disclosure Tuesday, during a session to, among other issues, discuss business potentials in Liberia. The President who spoke at the session, described the business potential in Liberia as good, and urged the Germany business community to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities Liberia now offers.

The President later on Tuesday held talks with the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. A meeting with the Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark, Ms. Ulla Tornaes, is slated for Wednesday, prior to a keynote address the President will deliver at the 8th edition of the Africa Partnership Forum.

Planning Minister, Dr. Toga McIntosh, Liberia’s ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Sedia Massaquoi Bangura, is accompanying President Johnson-Sirleaf to the discussions.

The President arrived in Berlin on Tuesday, following a weeklong visit to the United States.
She returns home on Friday this week.

Source: Cyrus Wleh BadioPresidential Press Secretary

"Panoramic View about the Mineral Titles of Liberia" By Emmanuel O. Sherman, Chief geologist, Liberian Geological Survey

MR. SHERMAN AND WORKMATE

The mineral industry of Liberia is summarize by the below diagram which if permitted, I will refer to as the “Mineral Industry Cycle” of Liberia. However, over the past months the sector has been undergoing severe microscopic review so as to ensure transparency and accountability. While this review is ongoing, I thought it relevant to summarise the country’s mineral sector into one big circle. As we all know, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME) is the regulatory body of the sector. This entire sector is categorized into the Alluvial mining sector and the Mineral Exploration & Development sector


Figure 1: Unofficial Mineral Industry Cycle of Liberia (By: E.O.Sherman 2006)

In Figure1, the mineral exploration & development sector (MEDS) which is the Department of Mineral Exploration & Research, insures the efficient identification and development of mineral resources by monitoring the activities of license holders in this sector and by the provision of needed and available information to help potential investors. Activities within this sector are dominated by foreign exploration and mining companies involved in the acquisition of up-to-date geospatial data and information. While information about potential geological and mineral-rich targets are being generated by MEDS, the alluvial mining sector (AMS) which is headed by the Department of Mines, monitors and controls the extraction and trade of alluvial diamonds and gold produced by artisans and companies. Revenues generated from the industry are usually paid to the mineral resources revenue (MRR) body and are intended to be used by the GOL for sustainable economic development.

To ensure transparency and proper accountability in the sector, a body comprising of major stakeholders who are also key policy makers are empowered to review and formulate policies that may be implemented by MLME.

The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) has now become the latest focus point in the mineral cycle that needs to be updated. This commission has its own legal act on which it exists. However, harmonization of the PPCC Act and the existing Mineral and Mining Law of 2000 could serve as a One-Stop-Regulating document of the country’s mineral industry.

1.0 Existing Policy, Legal and Regulatory Issues
The country has a New Minerals and Mining law of 2000 that is being administered by the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME). One of the key points in this law is the Mineral property rights/Mining Title. Mineral property rights to explore or mine in Liberia are obtained through the acquisition of alluvial mining licenses (either Class C or Class B) and a mineral concession.

Mineral Titles summary

There are basically two broad categories of mineral titles/rights under the Minerals and Mining Law of the Republic of Liberia: They are:
Exploration Right; and
Mining Right.

2.0 Mineral Property Right

Mineral license types usually issued to eligible candidates wanting to invest in the country’s mineral sector are summarized below:

License type
Key terms and provisions
duration
Reconnaissance
§ To conduct rapid geologic assessment of targeted area;
§ Targeted area must not be encumbered under a valid Mineral Right by another person
§ Renewable once for another six months;
§ Permit area is restricted 2,000 square kilometres;
§ Detail sampling(i.e. drilling, trenching and pitting) are prohibited
§ The Holder may apply and be granted a Mineral Exploration License by the Minister upon completion of the reconnaissance phase.

6 months
Exploration
§ That the area is not encumbered under a valid Mineral Right by another person;
§ Issuance for an initial period of 3 (three) years and may be extended for a single two-year period, in which event the Holder shall be obliged to surrender 50 (fifty) percent of the Exploration Area to Government;
§ That at the end of the initial 3- year period, the Holder may select the entire Exploration Area or any part thereof as a Proposed Production Area;

§ That the area granted shall be contiguous and limited to 1,000 square kilometers;
§ That Holder shall have exclusive right to conduct mineral exploration within the Exploration Area granted and may conduct pilot mining as permitted in the Proposed Exploration Program; and
§ That the Holder shall incur costs in surface rentals as negotiated between the Holder and Government;
§ That the Holder shall submit to the Minister a proposed exploration program within 90 (ninety) days as of the Effective Date of the Agreement; and
§ At the end of the Exploration Program, the Holder may apply for a Class A Mining License.


3 years
+2 years possible
extension
Class A Mining License


The Operator must have successfully completed an Exploration Program that clearly defines exploitable mineral targets;
That the Operator must have successfully completed a feasibility report outlining the efficient and economic conduct of the proposed mining operations;
That the Minister shall have approved the feasibility report which shall have been prepared in keeping with the Law and the application of acceptable international standards;
That the Operator must have conducted an Environmental Impact Study which among other things shall spell out the adverse environmental effects that could result from the mining operations and prescribe mitigating and curative means of restoring the environment;
That the Operator must demonstrate that it has the technical competence, experience, and financial resources to carry out such mining operations in keeping with the requirements specified under the Class A Mining License; and
That the Class A Mining License shall be issued for a period of 25 (twenty-five) years with extensions for consecutive additional terms not to exceed 25 (twenty-five) years each, once proven reserves still exist.

25 years
+
Possible 25 years
extension
CLASS B Mining License
§ That the initial term of a Class B Mining License shall be for 5 (five) years with renewal for periods not exceeding 5 (five) years each;
§ That the Holder can engage in industrial mining;
§ That 15 (fifteen) Holders of Class B Mining Licenses may collectively mine through a cooperative scheme; and
§ That the Holder of a Class B Mining License shall submit a production plan to the Ministry for approval prior to commencement of mining.


5 year
CLASS C Mining License

§ That the Holder of a Class C Mining License shall have exclusive right to mine in the Production Area;
§ That the tenure of a Class C Mining License shall be for a period of 1 (one) year renewable for further terms of one year each provided the Holder remains in compliance with the Mining Law and Regulations;
§ That the size of the Production Area covering a Class C Mining License shall not exceed 25 (twenty-five) acres;
§ That a Class C Mining License shall be restricted to a Small-Scale Operation;

1 year

"Liberia is Moving Foward" - President Sirleaf

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed hopes that the UN peace keeping force will remain in her country until local security forces can be properly trained and professionalized.

President Sirleaf (left) and US Senator Hillary Clinton

Her comments were contained in a documentary, by Swedish journalist Malou von Sivers, aired on Swedish channel TV4 Thursday night.

But the president added that security will be actually achieved if the government can respond properly to the needs of the people.

Providing social services and jobs are two vital areas, she added.

Mrs. Sirleaf, the first female to ever be elected to the highest office in an African country, hinted positively that Liberia is moving forward “out of the shadow of the past.”

She said the country has formed a truth and reconciliation commission to aid the process of healing after more than a decade of civil conflict.

“This process of truth does not lead to punishment. It is about reconciliation and forgiveness,” she noted.

Liberia was put into a situation where many of its young people were subjected to untold cruelty; where many were forced to commit atrocities, the president said and added that it is now time to get the country moving again.

We have the opportunity to get the country back on course, correct the mistakes of the past and give the young people a better future, she added.

The film: Rita and Rufus- Liberian child soldiers, chronicled the experiences of the two former soldiers who were torn apart from the families at tender ages to fight for one of the country’s warring factions.

It also highlighted programs that the Red Cross is running to help them, and more than a hundred others, regain sanity.

Liberians to celebration Independence Day in Belgium

The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) is preparing a grand July 26 Independence Day celebration and a mini conference on the 27^th and 28^th of July in Brussels, Belgium.

For the past years, Liberian organizations across European states have been celebrating the Independence Day all by themselves, a release issued by the federation’s president Elvis G. Morris pointed out.

EFLA President Elvis G. Morris

“2007 is the year of unity and solidarity and in this light; EFLA is setting aside these two days for all Liberians and friends of Liberia around Europe to join hands in celebrating our 160^th Independence.

“This occasion will also prepare the Liberian European diaspora for its first ever international conference which will take place in September 2007 in Paris, France.

“The theme of the conference is “War- Torn West Africa: Emerging from Humanitarian Assistance to Political and Economical Reconstruction” in collaboration with the University of Bretagny, France.

“The aim of the international conference is: to provide practical recommendations to the international community on effective reconstruction processes for West African countries emerging from civil conflict.

“The activities over the two days aim to celebrate diversity and promote understanding between Liberians living in the Diaspora will include literary and theatre performances, sports events, music and food. Major attractions of this program will include a mini-Liberian conference and a ball.

“The European Federation of Liberian Association is a legally registered Belgian based federation comprising the network of Liberian Associations in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Luxemburg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom as well as the Kingdom of Belgium.

“The European federation of Liberian Associations has not only been one of the most dynamic group of Liberians in the Diaspora, but has also been a hub for providing diplomatic and civil support, resource information, social activities for Liberians home and abroad.

Mr. Morris called on all Liberian associations, organizations and friends of Liberia to be present.

“We hope this information will meet your timely intervention as members of the European Federation of Liberian Associations appreciate your support and would like to thank you in advance. Complete information regarding these events will be sent out in due course. Don’t hesitate to send you comments, suggestion and contribution for the kind of activities you may like to happen as part of the programs,” the release concluded.

For "Conflict of Interest" World Bank Presiedent Caught in the Web, Resigns

Mr. Wolfowitz was engulfed in a controversy after revelations that he gave his girlfriend, Shaha Riza, a pay raise. She later left the organization to take up employment with the US State Department.

Mr. Wolfowitz Ms. Riza

After his appointment in 2005, Mr. Wolfowitz, a former US deputy defence secretary, informed the bank about a potential conflict of interest due to his relationship with Ms. Riza, a communication advisor at the bank.

He proposed that she be moved to the state department with a pay and position increase in line with her prospects at the bank.

Announcing the decision recently, Mr. Wolfowitz said he was sorry for a painful and personal dilemma.

It became impossible for him to stay at his position after the bank’s governors questioned his ability to lead.

The world Bank in Washington DC

But his supporters said the melee was an excuse used by his detractors to get rid of him.

They said his fight against corruption and stance that aid to poor countries should hinge on good governance hit the wrong nerves.

US President George Bush, who had earlier maintained that Wolfowitz would keep his post, accepted the resignation with reluctance. The US will later appoint a replacement.

However, some are opting for the next president to be chosen on merit not nationality. Traditionally, the US, as the bank’s biggest contributor, appoints the president.

Emmanuel Zodia Chelleh Takes Wife in Sweden- See Pictures

Not too long ago, US-based Liberian Emmanuel Zodia Chelleh returned home to tie the knots with his beautiful bride. We bring you some photos from that wonderful ceremony in Monrovia, Liberia.

Bishop Innis in Sweden for Conference

The Rev. Dr. John Innis, Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Liberia is one of several guests attending the annual conference of the Methodist Church in Sweden.

Bishop Innis

The conference is being held in Norrkoping. It began on May 16 is expected to end on Sunday, the 20th.

Bishop Innis will perform some important functions during the conference which has at its theme: The Spring of Living Water.

Foreign Ship Disappears At Monrovia Port, 2 Liberia Police Linked

Government has announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the disappearance of a ship off the Freeport of Monrovia.

The ship, Tahoma Reefer belonged to a Russian who informed the Police about the robbery.

The Assistant Information Minister for Public Affairs said the two are Bah Dickson, a Police officer and Alfred Teekay, a former Police officer.

Mr. Gabriel Williams told a news conference the two have been charged with criminal conspiracy and forwarded to court.

Minister Williams also said a Ghanaian only identified as Attah contacted the two men to assist him take away the ship since he had already bought it.

Deputy Police Inspector for Operation Gayflor Tarpeh said the LNP has sent a red notice through Interpol to neighboring countries to help recover the ship.

Foreign Ship Disappears At Monrovia Port, 2 Liberian Police Officers Linked

Government has announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the disappearance of a ship off the Freeport of Monrovia.

The ship, Tahoma Reefer belonged to a Russian who informed the Police about the robbery.

The Assistant Information Minister for Public Affairs said the two are Bah Dickson, a Police officer and Alfred Teekay, a former Police officer.

Mr. Gabriel Williams told a news conference the two have been charged with criminal conspiracy and forwarded to court.

Minister Williams also said a Ghanaian only identified as Attah contacted the two men to assist him take away the ship since he had already bought it.

Deputy Police Inspector for Operation Gayflor Tarpeh said the LNP has sent a red notice through Interpol to neighboring countries to help recover the ship.

Foreign Ship Disappears At Monrovia Port, 2 Liberian Police Officers Linked

Government has announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the disappearance of a ship off the Freeport of Monrovia.

The ship, Tahoma Reefer belonged to a Russian who informed the Police about the robbery.

The Assistant Information Minister for Public Affairs said the two are Bah Dickson, a Police officer and Alfred Teekay, a former Police officer.

Mr. Gabriel Williams told a news conference the two have been charged with criminal conspiracy and forwarded to court.

Minister Williams also said a Ghanaian only identified as Attah contacted the two men to assist him take away the ship since he had already bought it.

Deputy Police Inspector for Operation Gayflor Tarpeh said the LNP has sent a red notice through Interpol to neighboring countries to help recover the ship.

UN Police Chief in Liberia urges Ghanaian contingent to continue working for peace

The Acting UN Commissioner of Police, Mr. Maritz Du Toit, has reiterated the commitment of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to peace and security in Liberia, during a Peacekeepers Medal award ceremony for the Ghanaian UN Police contingent in Monrovia’s City Hall.

Mr. Du Toit commended the police officers for distinguishing themselves during training, mentoring and building the capacity of the Liberian National Police (LNP.) He further urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity and the cause of peace. “Always Endeavour to go the extra mile in our collective efforts to build the peace in Liberia,” the UNPOL Commissioner stated.

Mr. Du Toit, who was assisted by LNP Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Asatu Bah-Kenneth and Head of UNMIL’s Corrections Advisory Unit, Marjo Callaghan, decorated 30 officers, including two Corrections Advisers.

The 23 men and 7 women who received medals are part of a 1,201 strong UNMIL multinational police force deployed in Monrovia. They are serving in a number of areas including Operations, Crime Services Department, Planning, Reform and Restructuring, and Leeward Counties. Ghana has been contributing police troops to UNMIL since September, 2003.

The Ghanaian police contingent in UNMIL consists of 34 UN police officers, 2 Immigration specialists and 4 Corrections officers. The Ambassador of Ghana to Liberia, H.E. Francis Adu-Amanfoh, senior UNMIL officials and other dignitaries were also present at the occasion.

Pirates attack British ship off Liberia coast

Machete-wielding pirates boarded a British cargo ship over the weekend, forced its crew to disembark and stole the ship, the vessel's captain said Monday.

A U.N. helicopter saw the 3,500-ton ship being towed away and one person was arrested in connection with the incident, U.N. spokesman Ben Malor said.

Two boats towed the vessel deep into neighboring Ivory Coast's waters, Malor said.
The ship, the MV Tahoma Reefer, ran into engine problems off Liberia's

coast and docked in Monrovia, where the crew was awaiting mechanical help, said Volodymr Shteynberh, the ship's captain. Four days after it docked Saturday, two fishing boats approached the cargo ship and around 25 pirates jumped aboard brandishing machetes, Shteynberh said.

The captain said three crew members were injured before the ship was towed away in the direction of Ivory Coast. "Two received cuts on their heads," Shteynberh said.

The ship was carrying several thousand tons of fuel used to power the vessel.
Shteynberh said he was worried that if the fuel spills into the ocean, "it will cause serious ecological problems for the coast and for the region."

The ship was sailing under the flag of the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Source: Associated Press

Pirates attack British ship off Liberia coast

Machete-wielding pirates boarded a British cargo ship over the weekend, forced its crew to disembark and stole the ship, the vessel's captain said Monday.

A U.N. helicopter saw the 3,500-ton ship being towed away and one person was arrested in connection with the incident, U.N. spokesman Ben Malor said.

Two boats towed the vessel deep into neighboring Ivory Coast's waters, Malor said.
The ship, the MV Tahoma Reefer, ran into engine problems off Liberia's

coast and docked in Monrovia, where the crew was awaiting mechanical help, said Volodymr Shteynberh, the ship's captain. Four days after it docked Saturday, two fishing boats approached the cargo ship and around 25 pirates jumped aboard brandishing machetes, Shteynberh said.

The captain said three crew members were injured before the ship was towed away in the direction of Ivory Coast. "Two received cuts on their heads," Shteynberh said.

The ship was carrying several thousand tons of fuel used to power the vessel.
Shteynberh said he was worried that if the fuel spills into the ocean, "it will cause serious ecological problems for the coast and for the region."

The ship was sailing under the flag of the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Source: Associated Press

Nigerian Movie Star Want Liberians to Sustain Peace in their Country

A visiting Nigerian movie star has called on Liberians to work towards sustaining the current peace in the country.

Stella Damasus Aboderie says the sustenance of the current peace is important to the rebuilding of the war-ravaged country.

She called on Liberians to make use of the continuous goodwill of the international community and rebuild the shattered infrastructure.

The Nigerian Movie Icon is visiting the country at the invitation of the World Food Program to help in the fight against hunger.