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.

U.S. UNIVERSITY, PREZ JOHNSON-SIRLEAF SIGN 'MOU'

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert of the Langston University Signs the MOU

(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Langston University President, Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert, have signed a memorandum of Understanding in Langston, Oklahoma city. As part of the MOU, signed on Saturday, Langston University students representing majors from six schools, (Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, Physical Therapy, and Nursing and Health Professions) will provide education and intensive study sessions with counterparts in Liberia.

The Institute will also establish a working relationship between the Central Agricultural Research Institute and the Agricultural Program of Langston, in reinvigorating agriculture with particular emphasis on the livestock sector. Langston has established an international reputation in the area of agriculture research and extension with special emphasis on small ruminants (goats).

According to an Executive Mansion dispatch from Oklahoma city, the MOU also establishes a ‘Study Abroad Service Learning’ for the period of Mary to July each year, to work with young girls and women, through projects known as GIVE, (the Girls Investing in Valuable Education) and GROW, (Giving Real Opportunities to Women), through the AME University, Cuttington University College, the University of Liberia, and selected schools.

Langston has also agreed to provide five scholarships for Liberian students matriculating at the University to pursue graduate studies in one of over thirty majors being offered by the school, commencing academic 2007 – 2008.

The University and government will also work actively to send visiting scholars to Liberia and bring Liberian scholars to Langston to strengthen teaching, research, and extension capabilities. The Institute has an active visiting scholars program in the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Langston, through the Office of Academic Affairs, will coordinate and foster additional initiatives with other Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and women’s organizations to assist the Government of Liberia in the Liberian Education Trust imitative.

Langston University President, Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, speaking of the MOU said her institute, through the MOU, will further endeavour to fulfill its mission of educating individuals to become global learners and at the same time educate them to become global leaders in helping to meet the needs of nations throughout the world.

For her part, the Liberian President thanked the Langston University family for the initiative, which she noted would make a very valuable contribution to the country’s commitment to improving and enhancing the educational capabilities of the people, particularly young women. The President, who served as keynote speaker at the 107th commencement convocation of the University, urged graduates to strive for excellence by working individually and collectively to impact communities and the lives of the people.

Fassu Kelleh Writes Anonymous Accuser, Says he is a man of reputation

I have read your post from one of your browsers who refused to be named, and has chosen to hide behind his pen so that he/she might not take responsibility for an irresponsible action. Fortunately, I would not choose to dignify or glorify the story with my most valuable time had it not been for the benefit of the many readers that might come across the story. With complete dismay and disappointment and worse still, by a writer that is afraid to show his/her face.

Firstly, the author/accuser does not know FASSUE KELLEH and therefore a complete stranger to my personality. Contrary to the writer's claim that I am a former Charles Taylor’s official, I am not.

I fled the Taylor regime just after appointing me to the Free zone; the entity had no money, no budget and no account; it did not have a single vehicle. Prior to my appointment to the entity, I had imported some vehicles from Europe. I gave two to the entity, one for utility and one for the use of my then deputy Howard, and me with expectation that the entity might later pay.

It did not until I fled and advised my then deputy to pay for the cars to my then manager. Up to date, I yet to receive a single payment for the cars ; Howard and other former employees know it.

Secondly, that I took public money to educate myself/seek higher education in the USA can only be attested by Hamline University and the Minnesota State since I still owe tons of dollars in student loan and serves as the pull factor to the state to pay my bills and further my education where possible.

Thirdly, I currently have two of my children in college, in Ghana and Liberia respectively. I paid my boys fees from my money market through my then employer, the US Bank, Minnesota where I worked as auditor for over five years and resigned only from Liberia.

And finally, the author's claim that my accuser from the Lotteries is right cannot be disputed as the Lotteries' accuser is as right as this author who does not know me in any form and shape.

It is foolhardy and miss-calculation that I bought and imported one SUV; I really imported three and all the employees and the overseer, the Vice President of Liberia, Ambassador Joseph Boakai’s office know just better.

Notwithstanding, what is common in this country is to thrive on the excellent reputation of good people with impunity. That must end! Some of us have taken all it takes, from student days to present, to build the virtuous characters and reputation and respect we enjoyed today.

What the author does not know is that T. Fassue Kelleh was once a household name and will therefore jealously guide that. If anything the author envoys in Fassue, I advise that he/she strives to excellent him/herself similarly so that there be no cause for false cries.

Recently a man who did not state his name wrote the GNN regarding a story posted entitled, “Liberia Lotteries in Crisis, As Fassue Kelleh Leaves with Clean Hands”, the Anonymous writer said, “Mr. Fassue Kelleh is a dishonest man.

He went from a low paying job in the USA to Liberia to get a government job, so that he can embezzle to corporation. That is exactly what he did. He went back to the USA on holiday, and bought a Toyota SUV and shipped it to Liberia. He has leased a home in Mamba Point.

All this with stolen government money, he stole money to provide for his further education in the USA, and to pay for the higher education of his children. His accuser is correct. Fassue Kelleh did not leave the institution with clean hands. May be the employees who are claiming that he is a good man are all women. He is a ladies man, an immoral man who leads an immoral life. He is a former Charles Taylor era government official and should not be either trusted or given the responsibility of any other position in the government.”.

UNMIL Boss Assures Liberia of U.N. Support, Launches Humanitarian Action Plan 2007 Monday

The UN Envoy to Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss has re-assured Liberians that the UN Mission in Liberia - UNMIL - will not leave the country prematurely. He was speaking at a medal presentation ceremony in the southeastern port city of Harper, Maryland County during which Senegalese peacekeepers were decorated, for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping operation in Liberia.

“UNMIL is not leaving yet” he declared. “We will not put at risk the gains that have been made so far in returning Liberia to peace and stability”.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General, acknowledged the progress made in the country since the inception of the UN Peace Mission in October 2003, saying, Liberia was on the path to recovery after long years of conflict, but he noted also that West Africa had not yet escaped the shadow of conflict. “We cannot be complacent. We must continue to be vigilant and provide essential security until the national security forces are ready to take over”.

Mr. Doss commended the contribution of the Senegalese peacekeepers to the progress taking place in Liberia. He said their daily patrols, escorts, and check-point duties have helped maintain security in Maryland County and contributed to the realization of UNMIL’s principal mandate of establishing and maintaining a stable environment in Liberia.

Mr. Doss praised the Senegalese soldiers for going beyond their peacekeeping duty to provide assistance to local communities, and reminded them of their fundamental duty of care to the people of Liberia, especially women and children, urging them to strictly abide by the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.

At the same event, Mr. Doss also inaugurated a Peace Monument erected by the Senegalese peacekeepers as a symbol of cooperation between the Senegalese contingent and the people of Maryland County.

The medal-presentation ceremony was attended by UNMIL Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the UNMIL Director of Administration, Stephen Leiberman and county authorities.

In a related development, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator is expected on Monday, 9 April, to launch the Common Humanitarian Action Plan 2007 in Monrovia.

In 2006, the United Nations agencies and partners identified three strategic priorities for humanitarian assistance in 2007: provision of basic social services to vulnerable populations; revitalization of returnee communities for security and productive livelihoods; and strengthening of civil society and local authorities. This launch is to raise funds to address these strategic priorities.