SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE OUTREACH AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
PRESS CLIPPINGS
Enclosed are clippings of local and international press on the Special Court and related issues obtained by the Outreach and Public Affairs Office as at: Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Press clips are produced Monday through Friday. Any omission, comment or suggestion, please contact Martin Royston-Wright Ext 7217 2
Local News
‘All Discussions With Taylor Were About Peace’ / Concord Times Page 3
Campbell Agent Denies Lying Over Taylor Diamonds ‘Gift’ / For di People Pages 4-5
Blood Diamonds: Naomi Campbell a Scapegoat? / Independent Observer Pages 6-7
Charles Taylor Gave Naomi Campbell Diamonds / PEEP! Page 8
First Public Defenders’ Office Commissioned / Awareness Times Page 9
Creating a Greener Diamond Future / Awoko Page 10
Human Rights Commission Calls for Proceeds of Blood Diamonds / Premier News Page 11
International News
Naomi Campbell: Did She Know the History Behind "Blood Diamonds" / Examiner.com Page 12
Supermodel Campbell Defends War Crime Trial Testimony / BBC Online Pages 13-14
Naomi Denies Diamonds Lies / The Sun Pages 15-16
Mia Farrow, Carole White Testify in Charles Taylor's War Crimes Trial / WikiNews Page 17
‘A Modern-day Mother Teresa of Africa’ / Spiked Online Pages 18-19
UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary / UNMIL Pages 20-26
Gwynne Dyer: A Few Victories for the Rule of Law / Staright.com Pages 27-28
World Justice Meme Emerges / Right Side News Pages 29-31
Divided Loyalties Hamper International Court / The Gazette Pages 32-33
3 Concord Times Wednesday, 11 August 2010
4 For di People Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Campbell Agent Denies Lying Over Taylor Diamonds ‘gift’
5
6 Independent Observer Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Blood Diamonds: Naomi Campbell a Scapegoat?
7
8 PEEP! Wednesday, 11 August 2010
9 Awareness Times Wednesday, 11 August 2010
10 Awoko Wednesday, 11 August 2010
11 Premier News Wednesday, 11 August 2010
12
Examiner.com Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Naomi Campbell: Did She Know the History Behind "Blood Diamonds"
By Angelique Lachelle
Naomi Campbell: Blood Diamond Hoax Courtesy of Google
Model Naomi Campbell testified in The Hague, of the U.N. Special Court for Sierra Leone. It was reported that Campbell allegedly accepted diamonds given to her from Charles Taylor, the ex-president of Liberia in which Campbell referred to as “Dirty Little Diamonds,” while attending a gala fund-raising event hosted by Nelson Mandela.
Many Americans are aware of the infamous scandal that surrounded Africa’s diamonds in certain parts of the Continent. The horrific events that occurred during the time when diamonds were the hottest and most profitable commodity in certain parts of Africa can make one shed tears of blood, cries of mercy, and separation from the diamond market eternally. Many African’s lost their arms, fingers and even their lives due to these precious pieces of stones that are widely known as “Blood Diamonds.”
Thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio (in the movie Blood Diamonds) that many of us became vigilant to the situation.
Although films were made to expose, educate, and perhaps campaign an anti-blood diamond act, not everyone in the world pays attention to every single scheme that surface’s in the media. Campbell claims to not knowing the history of blood- diamonds, and maybe there’s some truth behind her story, however she’s finding herself in media coverage that’s far from the runway.
Campbell is cooperating with authorities, and as this show plays itself out, many are hoping that every model or aspiring model that looks up to Naomi Campbell will have some knowledge of what Blood Diamonds are and the history behind it. If it looks like dirty rhinestones then you might want to give it back. 13 BBC Online Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Supermodel Campbell defends war crime trial testimony
Naomi Campbell says suggestions she does not care about suffering in Africa are hurtful
Naomi Campbell has said she had "nothing to gain" from lying at the war crimes trial of ex- Liberian President Charles Taylor.
In a statement issued five days after giving evidence, the British supermodel said: "I've no motive here."
It accepted she had chosen her words "poorly" in describing her appearance as a witness as a "big inconvenience".
It is alleged Ms Campbell received "blood diamonds" from Mr Taylor after a dinner in South Africa in 1997.
The statement released by Ms Campbell's PR agency, Outside Organisation, comes as several British newspapers suggested doubts have been cast over her testimony.
"I am a black woman who has and will always support good causes especially relating to Africa," she said.
In her evidence, London-born Ms Campbell, 40, said she was woken by two strangers in the middle of the night, and given a pouch containing a few "dirty-looking stones".
She put it by her bed and did not examine it until she woke the next morning, she said, and explained she was not accustomed to receiving diamonds in a cloth pouch, only in a box.
But the court has heard conflicting evidence since from fellow guests - her former agent Carole White and the actress Mia Farrow - about the gift and its origin.
The statement reiterated that events took place 13 years ago and recollections could be hazy.
"It should be noted that Naomi, Mia Farrow and Carole White all made it clear that they didn't really know who Taylor was or much about Liberia at the time. 14 “Start Quote
Campbell accepts the use of the word 'inconvenient' was a poor choice of word but it was made off-the-cuff and was taken massively out of context”
End Quote Statement on behalf of Naomi Campbell
"Hardly surprising as Taylor had only been elected a month or so previously.
"The term 'blood diamond' was not in existence then and only came into the public domain in a speech by Bill Clinton in 2001 and was of course brought to the wider attention when the film of the same name was released in 2006."
Further on, it quoted Ms Campbell as saying: "I've never taken any of the jobs offered to me, over my 25 years as a model, from companies that were for apartheid in South Africa."
The statement also sought to clarify her claim that attending the war crimes trial had been an "inconvenience".
"Campbell accepts the use of the word 'inconvenient' was a poor choice of word but it was made off-the-cuff and was taken massively out of context," it read.
"It was in relation to a nonsensical question as to whether or not she was nervous appearing in court."
'Helpful'
It also stressed Ms Campbell's commitment to good causes, saying she has contributed to and helped raise considerable sums for Africa,.
"The suggestion that Campbell in some way doesn't care about the plight of those suffering in Africa is ridiculous and hurtful," it said.
"Naomi Campbell was in South Africa helping a charity, had the diamonds for a matter of hours and handed them over to a representative of Nelson Mandela's children's charity.
"She was not on trial in the Hague and was as helpful towards the court as she could be," it said.
Mr Taylor is standing trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague.
He faces 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of which he denies, over his alleged role in the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, where he is accused of backing rebels responsible for widespread atrocities.
Prosecutors are trying to link the former Liberian leader to the diamonds that Ms Campbell received. He has denied having anything to do with the trade in so-called blood diamonds. 15 The Sun Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Naomi Denies Diamonds lies
By STAFF REPORTER
Published: Today
NAOMI Campbell today denied lying during her evidence in the war crimes trial of former African dictator Charles Taylor.
The supermodel said she had: "Nothing to gain" from lying after actress Mia Farrow and her former agent Carole White finished giving their evidence.
Campbell, 40, who appeared in the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague last week said: "I've no motive here. Nothing to gain.
Both women's evidence rubbished Campbell's testimony that she did NOT know who had given her diamonds after a party hosted by Nelson Mandela in September 1997.
Campbell added: "I am a black woman who has and will always support good causes especially relating to Africa."
She added: "I've never taken any of the jobs offered to me, over my 25 years as a model, from companies that were for apartheid in South Africa."
Campbell, who gave evidence last Thursday, was criticised for telling the court her appearance was a "big inconvenience".
The statement, from The Outside Organisation, said: "Campbell accepts the use of the word 'inconvenient' was a poor choice of word but it was made off the cuff and was taken massively out of context.
"It was in relation to a nonsensical question as to whether or not she was nervous appearing in court!
"Campbell had explained that she had fears for her family having read about Taylor's alleged crimes on the internet, hence her initial reticence in appearing. 16 "Regardless of people's recollections it's indisputable and has been confirmed by all witnesses concerned that Naomi handed over the diamonds at the first possible opportunity for the benefit of a South African children's charity."
The statement said Campbell was a "long time supporter of charity work in Africa", adding: "The suggestion that Campbell in some way doesn't care about the plight of those suffering in Africa is ridiculous and hurtful."
In court yesterday, Ms White insisted Campbell knew it was Taylor who sent two men to her room in the night to give her the precious stones.
She said the model and the former warlord were flirting with each other over dinner and arranged for the gift to be delivered.
But defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths QC pointed out that Ms White is in a legal dispute with Campbell over alleged unpaid royalties for a perfume deal.
He quoted Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 1982 hip-hop single 'The Message', saying: "Put bluntly, for you this is all about money, there ain't nothing funny."
Ms White, co-founder of Premier Model Management, replied: "It's totally the truth. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my business argument with Naomi Campbell."
She also said she was present at the end of the meal when Campbell and one of Taylor's ministers discussed how the jewels would be delivered to the model.
She said: "It was quite clear that some men had already been dispatched to Johannesburg to collect the diamonds."
On Monday, Farrow insisted Campbell arrived at breakfast the morning after the party to tell an "unforgettable" story - that she had received a gift of a diamond from Taylor.
Taylor is accused of war crimes during Sierra Leone's civil war, including using illicit "blood diamonds" to fund rebels.
He denies 11 charges, including murder, rape, sexual slavery and recruiting child soldiers. The defence case is expected to be completed by the middle of November.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3090672/Naomi-denies-diamonds- lies.html#ixzz0wIOjIoCW 17 WikiNews Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Mia Farrow, Carole White testify in Charles Taylor's war crimes trial
From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Farrow appeared in a UN-backed court at The Hague to testify in a war crimes trial against Taylor.
Image: hdptcar on Flickr.
Actress Mia Farrow and Carole White have testified in former-Liberian president Charles Taylor's war crimes trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, The Netherlands.
Farrow and White's testimonies contradict supermodel Naomi Campbell's testimony from last week.
White said Campbell was "mildly flirtatious" with Taylor at a dinner in South Africa in 1997. Taylor, she alleged, told Campbell he would send her diamonds. White continued to say Campbell communicated with Taylor and awaited the diamond. Campbell was "very excited" about the diamonds according to White.
"[Taylor's men] came in and they sat down in the lounge and we sat opposite them... they then took out a quite scruffy paper and they handed it to Miss Campbell and said 'these are the diamonds.'"
Farrow claimed Campbell told her Taylor received diamonds in the middle of the night. She testified, "[Campbell] said that in the night she had been awakened, some men were knocking at the door, and they had been sent by Charles Taylor, and they had given her a huge diamond."
Last week in Campbell's testimony, she did not know who sent her diamonds, but testified her then-agent White told her who probably sent the diamonds. White and Farrow testified Campbell said the diamonds were from Taylor. She claims she gave the diamonds to Jeremy Ractliffe who gave them to police.
Police spokesperson Musa Zondi confirms Ractliffe had uncut diamonds. "Yes, they are real diamonds. We cannot tell whether they are 'blood diamonds' or not. That will be part of the investigation," Zondi said.
Taylor faces eleven counts for violating international law including, murder, rape, sexual slavery, enlistment of children under the age of fifteen, pillaging, enslavement, and "outrages upon personal dignity."
Taylor allegedly traded "blood diamonds" for weapons and supplying the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) of Sierra Leone with weapons during the civil war from 1991 to 2002. This war conscripted child soldiers, an international crime. The prosecutors for the Special Court say Taylor trained the rebels and had them rape, murder, mutilate, and decapitate the civilians of Sierra Leone. Over 100,000 people died in the Sierra Leonean civil war. Taylor plead not guilty to all charges.
Linking the blood diamonds, used to support the RUF, to Taylor is a high priority for the prosecution. 18 Spiked Online Wednesday, 11 August 2010 http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/printable/9408/
‘A modern-day Mother Teresa of Africa’
The most bizarre idea to emerge from the star-studded Sierra Leone trial is that Mia Farrow is a true warrior for justice.
Nathalie Rothschild
As the press speculates, silly season style, about who’s lying and who’s telling the truth at the star-studded Sierra Leone war crimes tribunal in The Hague, the most credible pronouncement seems to have come from Courtenay Griffiths, the lead counsel for former Liberian president Charles Taylor. In a press conference, Griffiths said actress Mia Farrow, who took to the witness stand on Monday, sees herself as a ‘modern-day Mother Teresa of Africa’.
Considering Farrow’s many recent Africa-saving missions, Griffiths has a point. Only Farrow, for all her hippy-like demeanour, is a lot more gung-ho than the late Mother ever was, rallying for Western governments to intervene in the conflict in Darfur. In 2008, she met with Blackwater, the controversial private military firm that has done much of the US government’s dirty work in Iraq, to discuss sending troops to Sudan. Then, last year, she holed herself up in her comfy New York flat for 21 days without food as an act of solidarity with the people of Darfur, recording her ‘hunger strike’ on a webcam so that fans could follow her struggle via her blog. She also said at The Hague that Rwanda ‘changed my life’.
In 1997, Farrow attended that now notorious dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela, along with Charles Taylor, supermodel Naomi Campbell, and Campbell’s then agent and ‘surrogate mother’, Carole White. Campbell, White and Farrow have been called to The Hague to give their versions of events at that fateful night, when Taylor allegedly had some diamonds (or, in Farrow’s version, one huge gem) delivered to Campbell’s room. Photos from the dinner show Farrow wearing traditional African garb, as is customary for celebs who ‘go native’ when they visit poorer parts of the world.
A telling moment during the trial was when Farrow admitted republishing sections of a Guardian article about ‘blood diamonds’ and Charles Taylor on her blog, but editing out a caveat. The original article said: ‘Prosecutors say the story, if true, would back up allegations that Taylor traded guns to neighbouring Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for uncut diamonds.’ Farrow cut out ‘if true’, so that it says: ‘Prosecutors say the story would back up allegations against Taylor.’
Asked in court why she edited it in this way, Farrow said: ‘Because I know that it was true.’ She explained that she uses her blog to ‘convey her feelings’ and regularly copies material from the web, editing it to reflect how she feels about certain events. This really sums up Farrow’s and other celebrities’ attitude to Africa – to them it is simply a continent suffering injustices, a place they feel for and want to rescue. Their gut instincts matter more than reaching the truth in an objective, reasoned way.
Farrow herself has never been shy of seeking the limelight in the name of bringing justice to Africans – and this trial, too, has been an opportunity for her to play a part in the downfall of an alleged war criminal. It is also a chance, it seems, for her to clear her conscience after having dined with a despot. While she had realised at the dinner, she told the court, that Taylor was ‘a man of disputable character’, she admitted she ‘shamefully’ didn’t know anything about the war in Sierra Leone or about the role of diamond trading in the conflict. The chief judge suggested that perhaps Farrow’s impressions of the night had later been coloured by the 2006 film Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
19 One of the most bizarre things about the media coverage of this case is the way Farrow is treated as a serious witness worth listening to, in contrast to the supposedly catty and self-serving Campbell and White, who are looked upon as simply pursuing their own interests. In truth, Farrow’s Afromania is also shallow and self-serving, only, unlike White, she has not been accused of having an ‘agenda’.
During her testimony, White claimed that Campbell and Taylor had been flirting over dinner and that Campbell knew that he planned to give her some of that girl’s best friend. In fact, White claimed, she and Campbell opened the door to Taylor’s men later that night and invited them in for a Coke. In contrast, Campbell told the court last week that she was woken up by a surprise knock on the door by strange men with a pouch of ‘dirty-looking stones’. Griffiths accused White of trying to smear Campbell, against whom she has launched a high-cost lawsuit for breach of contract. The court was even shown pictures from Facebook of a party thrown by White’s employees last week. The photos, in which White appears, are tagged ‘blood diamond party’.
In this farcical, cat fight-style, tittle-tattle excuse for a trial, Farrow has emerged as a slightly kooky but well-meaning and sophisticated participant, who has no agenda other than to help bring justice to Africa. Indeed, the court was played a video clip showing Farrow saying that she was ‘eager to see the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone see justice. They deserve that.’ Where Campbell was widely derided for admitting she had never heard of Liberia before attending that South African dinner, Farrow’s admission of ignorance was apparently a gracious mea culpa. Farrow was asked whether it occurred to her, ‘as a well-read person with an interest in Africa’, to contact the tribunal about what she had heard at the dinner. She responded: ‘I didn’t know this incident would be so consequential. My focus was on Sudan.’
The evidence for Farrow being ‘well read’ and ‘enlightened’ was a media interview where she professed an interest in books. The prosecution cited a Guardian interview with Farrow while she was on her Darfur hunger strike. It said Farrow ‘had watched Schindler’s List and couldn’t stop crying. She has been reading Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha and Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi - Thomas Moore’s Care of the Soul is next up - and listening to the slow movements of Bach and Mahler.’
So, the story goes, while Farrow seeks enlightenment through reading New Age tomes, listening to classical music, watching Holocaust movies and going on a Darfur diet, Campbell wears diamonds and poses half-naked in front of cameras as her agent tries to sue her for millions… This is way too simplistic. The involvement of any celebs in this trial is bizarre. Behind Farrow’s soft-spoken demeanour there lies a contemptible impulse to use other people’s histories and conflicts to bring some spiritual purpose to her own life – as surely as other celebs allegedly seek meaning through diamonds and ‘stuff’.
Nathalie Rothschild is commissioning editor at spiked.
Reprinted from: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9408/ 20
United Nations Nations Unies
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary 10 August 2010
[The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.]
Local News on Liberian issues
President Sirleaf Wants Maritime Bill Passed [The Informer]
• The Executive Mansion says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will ensure the passage of the proposed Maritime Authority Act by the Legislature. • Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said modalities were being worked out to ensure that the necessary corrections on the bill are made. • The contentious issues being raised include financial autonomy and security enforcement, but Mr. Badio said an agreement will be reached. • The Presidential Press Secretary said Madam Sirleaf will provide the necessary details when the proposed Act is sent to her for signature. • Last week, growing oppositions emerged at the Legislature over the draft Act seeking to transform the Maritime Bureau into the Liberia Maritime Authority.
President Sirleaf Orders ‘Illegal’ Ducor Residents to vacate [The Inquirer, The News]
• President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has again called on people she considers illegal occupants of the premises of the Ducor Intercontinental Hotel to vacate. • Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said the President has asked the occupants to take advantage of the relocation plan offered by government. • Mr. Badio said renovation work on the hotel will soon begin and government wants to ensure that the work is not hindered.
High Court Chief Justice Threatens Drastic Action If… [The Inquirer, New Democrat, In Profile Daily, Heritage]
• Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis of the Supreme Court of Liberia has threatened drastic action against jurors found in acts of dishonesty. • Justice Lewis also vowed to deal with other court officers engaged in such dishonest acts. • The threat comes amidst repeated reports of insincerity by jurors and other court staff. • He spoke Monday during the opening of the August Term of Court in Montserrado County. • Several cases are on the dockets at Criminal Courts A, B, C, D and E.
Naomi Campbell’s Former Agent Gives Contrasting Statement at Taylor’s Trial [Parrot, New Democrat, The Informer, Daily Observer, The Analyst, In Profile Daily, The News, Front Page Africa]
• Naomi Campbell’s former agent Carole White has told the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague that ex-president Charles Taylor gave the British supermodel diamonds after a 1997 dinner in South Africa. • Ms. White explained Mr. Taylor had promised the supermodel the diamonds during the meal. • This latest account contradicts evidence given by Ms. Campbell, who said unidentified men gave her some “dirty-looking stones”. • Prosecutors claim Mr. Taylor traded with rebels in Sierra Leone, giving them weapons in return for diamonds. • According to Ms. White, the former Liberian leader and Ms. Campbell had been "mildly engaging” with each other at the 1997 dinner in South Africa, hosted by former South African president Nelson Mandela . 21 • She told the hearing, Mr. Taylor had promised the supermodel he would send some men to give her diamonds. • Earlier, actress Mia Farrow told the court in her testimony that the supermodel said she received a "huge diamond" from former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
"Gboyo", Bropleh Cases Surface on Docket [Parrot, The Inquirer, Front Page Africa]
• Circuit courts are opened for the August 2010 Term with several major cases set for trial across the country. • At the official opening ceremony of the courts which was performed in Criminal Court “A” to be presided over by Judge James Zota, lawyers called for all actors to take on their responsibilities if the Judicial system is to be effective. • Delivering the judges' charge, Judge Zota said in spite of the many aid provided the Liberian Judicial system, there are still more areas where support needs to be given to enhance the work of judges in the country. • On behalf of the Justice Ministry, Montserrado County Attorney Daku Mulbah, buttressed the call for every lawyer to assume responsibility to ensure that the system works, adding, “If we must boost the rule of law we should play our individual roles.” • Meanwhile, it appears that among major cases that have been assigned for this term of court are the separate cases of former Information Minister Laurence Bropleh and his brother Albert Bropleh, former Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority. • Other cases scheduled for this term according to information is the Maryland “Gboyo” case which is already before the Criminal Court “A” based on a granted motion of 'change of venue.'
“Military Must Stay Out of Politics” … Assistant Minister-designate [The News]
• Assistant Defense Minister-designate for Public Affairs, David Dahn says the military must stay out of politics. • Mr. Dahn said the military must leave the governance of the state with civilians. • He spoke recently when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs for confirmation hearing. • The Assistant Defense Minister-designate stressed that only civilians are to provide political leadership and not the military. • He said the military has a mission to repel external and internal aggression, but noted that Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) gets involved in internal conflict upon the request of the Justice Minister following the approval of the Commander-in-Chief who is the President. • Mr. Dahn said when confirmed he would help disabuse the minds of some members of the public about the negative perception about the AFL. Africa Partnership Station to Arrive in Liberia [The Inquirer, The Informer, The News]
• The USCGC MOHAWK (WMEC 913) is expected to arrive in Liberia 12 August 2010 to carry out security cooperation activities with the Liberian Coast Guard, a US Embassy release says. • The MOHAWK will also pick up seven members of the Liberian Coast Guard to be trained on the ship. • The MOHAWK is deployed from their homeport in Key West, Florida to West Africa to work with local Coast Guards and Navies in order to help improve maritime security in the region.
EU TO Give Liberia US$13 Million in Additional Aid [New Democrat]
• The European Union (EU) has decided to provide €10 million (US$13 million) in aid for boosting health care and sanitation in Liberia. • EU Humanitarian Aid Commission Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement Friday that additional funding was needed to help cover long term development projects. • This is in addition to a donation of €108 million (US$143 million) the European Commission already paid to Liberia in the post war period.
22 UL Vacation School Cancelled – Entrance Results Expected [In Profile Daily, The Informer]
• The University of Liberia (UL) most-touted vacation school has been cancelled, Dean of Student Affairs Sarwolo Nelson disclosed yesterday. • According to Dean Nelson, the UL Administration took the decision due to poor response from the student populace. • Even though 92 students received control sheets, the Dean of Student Affairs maintained that no student has paid any money up to present. • He said the decision to cancel the vacation school was taken at a meeting held Monday with the University Faculty Senate. • The decision comes in the wake of cries by students of the University because of the high fees charged for the vacation school. • Meanwhile, Dean Nelson has revealed that results of the entrance and placement examinations will be released tomorrow, Wednesday 11 August 2010.
Star Radio (News monitored today at 09:00 am) President Sirleaf Wants Maritime Bill Passed (Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)
President Sirleaf Orders ‘Illegal’ Ducor Residents to vacate (Also reported Radio Veritas, Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)
Executive Mansion Yet to Receive Recalled Ambassador • The Executive Mansion says it has not received its Ambassador to the United States, Nathaniel Barnes despite being ordered to report. • President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last week recalled Ambassador Barnes from the United States for what the Executive Mansion calls consultation. • Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio told reporters it may take less than a month for the return of the recalled Ambassador.
Liberia, Georgia Sign Agreement • An agreement has been signed between the ports of the American State of Georgia and Liberia. • As part of the agreement, both parties will cooperate in training, joint marketing activities, data exchange and market studies. • The agreement also provides for cooperation in modernization and technological exchange to improve the management and security of Liberian ports. • National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Matilda Parker signed on behalf of Liberia while Curtis Foltz, Executive Director of Georgia Ports Authority signed for his organization. • A release issued from the United States says Ms. Parker expressed delight over the agreement, describing it as a window of opportunity that has been opened to Liberia. • Meanwhile, Liberia is to further benefit from assistance packages under the African Growth Opportunity Act and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. • The support came as part of the visit of the NPA boss to the US where she visited the AGOA conferences in Kansas and Washington DC and the meeting of OPEC.
High Court Chief Justice Threatens Drastic Action If… (Also reported Radio Veritas, Sky FM, and ELBC)
Several Courts Open for August Term Across Liberia • The Assigned Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court in River Cess County has challenged court officials to uphold the rule of law in the discharge of their duties. • Judge Boima Konto said in order to uphold the rule of law judges must thoroughly investigate all cases before rendering decision. • He said this will ensure free, fair and transparent justice. • Judge Konto’s statement was contained in his charge delivered during the opening of the August Term of Court Monday. • Meanwhile, the Resident Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa County says rape is on the increase in Voinjama. • According to Judge Emmanuel Kollie, the incidence of rape has tripled in recent times in the county. • Judge Kollie also said nearly 60 criminal cases including murder are on the court’s docket. 23 • The Lofa County Resident Judge speaking at the opening of the Fourteen Judicial Circuit Court for the August Term said those involved in the February 26 street violence in Voinjama will be tried during this term of court.
Naomi Campbell’s Former Agent Gives Contrasting Statement at Taylor’s Trial (Also reported Radio Veritas, Sky FM, and ELBC)
WAEC Mass Failures Claim Education Ministry Officials’ Attention • The Education Ministry says it is concerned about reports of mass failure of senior high school students in this year’s West African Examination Council Exams (WAEC). • Deputy Education Minister for Administration Mator Kpangbai said statistics indicate that the general performance of students has dropped from 78 percent in 2008 to 76 percent in 2009. • Minister Kpangbai named poor quality of instruction in schools as one of the underlying factors responsible for the mass failure of students. • The Deputy Education Minister however disclosed that the ministry has instituted several measures to improve the quality of instruction in the school system. • He identified the measures as prioritizing teachers’ development and realignment of the existing curriculum with other WAEC member countries. (Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)
Another Nimba Lawmaker Rejects Prince Johnson • The Presidential bid of Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson has experienced its third setback in less than two weeks within the Nimba Legislative Caucus. • Another Nimba lawmaker Representative Edwin Gaye Monday called on his kinsman to withdraw from the impending presidential race. • Representative Gaye said Senator Johnson must wait for another time before throwing his hat in the race for the Liberian presidency. • He claimed the people of Nimba are resolved to fully support President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf than the presidential bid of Prince Johnson in the 2011 elections. • The statement by Representative Gaye brings to three the number of Nimba lawmakers who have publicly asked Senator Johnson to pull out of the 2011 race. • The first public warning came from Nimba Senator Adolphus Dolo followed by Representative Francis Karway.
Radio Veritas (News monitored today at 09:45 am) Deputy Finance Minister Foresees Increase in Current Budget • An official of the Finance Ministry says the possibility exists that the current fiscal budget being verified could increase. • Deputy Finance Minister for Budget George Gonpu said the delay in the passage of the budget is due to what he calls very important realignment works being done by government to meet its Poverty Reduction Strategy deliverables. • Dr. Gonpu made the disclosure after a meeting with the Ways, Means and Finance Committee of the House of Representatives. • He said increment requested by some ministries could be accepted by both committees of the National Legislature based on the availability of resources and the priorities of government. (Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)
NEC Commends Legislature for Passage of Joint Resolution • The National Elections Commission (NEC) has commended the National Legislature for the passage of the Joint Resolution on the Threshold Bill. • NEC Chairman James Fromayan said with the passage of the bill, the electoral commission now has the advantage to carryout crucial activities ahead of the 2011 elections. • He noted that he is excited about the passage of the bill because it is cardinal to the conduct of free and fair elections in Liberia. • Mr. Fromayan noted that the 2011 elections will be held in a democratically free and fair fashion.
Truth FM (News monitored today at 10:00 am) Water Shortage Hits Central Monrovia, Residents Alarm • Residents of central Monrovia have alarmed over an acute shortage of running water to their community for nearly four days. • The residents believe that if the situation is not addressed, this may lead to outbreak of water borne diseases. 24 • They said the situation has caused them embarrassment as they have turned to the usage of unsaved water for drinking. • The residents also disclosed that the management of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has refused to communicate with them regarding the cause of the water shortage. • But the LWSC through its Public Affairs Officer has promised to respond at an appropriate time.
International Clip on Liberia
Law, Order, Criminality Pose "Greatest Challenge" to Liberia: UN Officer Xinhua
The greatest challenge facing the government of Liberia is that of law and order and dealing with criminality, a UN peacekeeping officer said here. The statement came as Lt.-Gen. Sikander Afzal, force commander of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), was briefing an open Security Council meeting on the UN peacekeeping operations. "Although Liberia is generally calm and peaceful, unemployment, poverty and weak infrastructure are hampering development," he said. "Linked to this is the problem of maintaining internal security,” Afzal said. "The root of the problem is the population's lack of the confidence in the police and judicial system." "The police lack the ability to respond to crime effectively, although the situation is slowly improving," he said. "At the same time, the judicial system does not have the capacity to deal with the increasing case load." The lack of confidence often results in vigilant mob justice requiring the intervention of UNMIL, he said. "Land disputes are a common occurrence in Liberia as a legacy of the war," he said. "Many displaced people have settled in areas belonging to other people, and the laws relating to property rights, boundaries and natural resources are not clear." "When tribal and ethnic factors are added, disagreements can quickly turn violent," he added.
Liberian Diplomat Calls for Angolan Investment PANA
The Vice-Consul of the Liberian mission in Angola, Alber to Duda Luemba, on Sunday urged Angolan entrepreneurs to invest in various areas of the economic and social sector of the West African country. The diplomat said this could help to re-launch Liberia's economy, which has been affected by the civil war that tore the country apart from 1989 to 2003. He said in the past few days the Liberian diplomatic mission in Luanda had been making contacts with some Angolan government officials, particularly from the sectors of agriculture and transport, for investment. 'We urge Angolans to invest in Liberia. They should go to Liberia and see what they can do in that country,' Leumba said.
Divas Give Conflicting Accounts of Blood Diamond Gift www.vancouversun.com
It's safe to suppose that former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of two of the world's most notorious women squabbling over his gift of diamonds. Indeed, for the appearance of the diva of bitchiness, "super-model" Naomi Campbell at his war crimes trial in The Hague last week, Taylor presented himself in a fetching suit of gangster pinstripe. This may have been an unconscious pre-homage to the appearance in the witness stand on Monday of Mia Farrow, whose first husband, Frank Sinatra, famously offered to have his Mafia contacts break the legs of her third husband, Woody Allen, for running off with one of her 11 adopted children. These people do not inhabit a real world -- at least not one that has any reality for most inhabitants of this planet. But their appearance in The Hague courtroom is part of the judicial dissection of the all-too-real horrors of wars in West Africa. These wars took the lives of perhaps 250,000 people and left countless others mutilated in body and spirit in conflicts that even in the recent history of Africa stand out for their obscene violence. The bizarre duet of Campbell and Farrow got to strut its stuff on the unlikely catwalk of the United Nations-mandated Special Court on the 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone because of evidence that Taylor gave Campbell a bag of uncut diamonds after she flirted with him at a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1997.
25 International Clips on West Africa
Guinea
Guinea Sets Run-off Vote for September 19 Reuters
Guinea will hold a run-off presidential election on September 19 aimed at restoring civilian rule to the West African bauxite producing nation. The date marks a roughly two-month delay to the decisive second round after candidates challenged the results of the initial poll held on June 27. "The date of the second round of the presidential election has been fixed for September 19, 2010," a government decree read out on state television said. Guinea has been run by a military junta since the death of President Lansana Conte and a subsequent bloodless coup in December 2008. A government report seen by Reuters late last year said the ensuing turmoil had cut into exports of the aluminium ore bauxite. The run-off will pit former Prime Minister Cellou Dallein Diallo against veteran opposition leader Alpha Conde. The rivals differ little in policy proposals and have both said they plan to review billions of dollars worth of mining deals, signed by multinational companies such as Vale and Rio Tinto. The election is seen as Guinea's best chance of drawing a line under decades of authoritarian rule since independence from France in 1958, and could help cement fragile gains in stability in a region rocked by three civil wars in a decade.
Ivory Coast
UNOCI Participates in Celebration of 50th Anniversary of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence in Bouaké African Press Organization
The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) on Saturday, 7 August 2010, participated in Bouaké in the festivities marking the 50 years of Côte d’Ivoire’s independence. Speaking at the ceremony, the Coordinator of Sector East regional office, Allassane Fall, called on Ivorians to continue to be united so that together they can put an end to the prolonged crisis. Addressing the population, the regional Prefect, Konin Aka, recalled the history of Côte d’Ivoire which he said was full of pain, trials, heartbreak, sad memories and hope. Mr. Konin also highlighted the economic problems facing Côte d’Ivoire and urged the population of Bouaké “to banish violence and damages and change their mentality for the 50 years to come”. With regard to elections, the Prefect urged citizens to go to the polls in cohesion and harmony to preserve their precious peace. Prefect Konin Aka finally deplored the discomfort prevailing in Bouaké, due to harassment by soldiers. The event ended with a parade by the 32 sections in the zone, the brass band of UNOCI’s Pakistanis battalion, representatives of the civil society and economic operators.
UNOCI Supports Training on Prison Administration African Press Organization
A workshop on prison rules and operational procedures applicable to administrative personnel opened on Monday at the School for Prison Personnel and Reformatory Education located in the grounds of Abidjan Prison. The two- day seminar attended by some 30 participants was organised by the Department of Prison Administration, the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) agency. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the head of UNOCI’s Rule of Law Section, Francoise Simard, said the seminar was aimed at promoting the exchange of experiences among prison professionals on the implementation of national regulations, regional and international standards of disciplinary rules, the management of deaths, the use of the means of restraint and searches in the prison environment. “You should become the effective link to channel this knowledge of standard procedures to your various establishments through the subordinates under you,” said Mrs. Simard, adding that the training was the result of wide consultation between UNOCI and prison establishments in Cote d’Ivoire.
Ivorian Journalist Tape Koulou Dies PANA
Ivorian journalist, Laurent Tape Koulou, founder of the daily 'Le National' newspaper and President of the Union of Press Agency Managers died on Sunday after a long illness, sources close to his family told PANA on Monday. Koulou, 55, founded the newspaper in 1988 in which he defended the positions of the former ruling party, Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI). When the civil war broke out in September 2002, he formed the Union of Press Man agers of the Republic (UPPR) to better defend the country's institutions. He was also a leader of the Patriotic Youth for the Defence of the Fatherland in War. However, he was evicted from that group and formed his political party, the National Democratic Initiative Front, before moving on to the head of the National Federation for Peace in Cote d'Ivoire (FNPCI). The development of the coffee-cocoa sector was also part of his attention as he formed the Coffee-Cocoa Growers Trade Union. 26
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Signs Iron Ore Deal with African Minerals Xinhua
The Sierra Leonean government has signed a mining lease agreement with the London-based African Minerals, Minister of Mineral Resources Alpha Kanu said on Monday. The agreement, signed at weekend and will be valid for 65 years, has made the African Minerals from an exploration company to a full pledged mining venture, the minister said. The company will start exploring the iron ore at Ferengbeya in the Tonkolili District, 100 km north of the capita, from 2004 to ascertain the extent and value of the iron ore reserve, according to the agreement. "It has now been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the minimum amount of iron ore available in Ferengbeya is 10.5 billion tons, the largest reserve ever discovered in the world," Kanu told Xinhua. A lot of infrastructure will be needed to bring the ore from Ferengbeya to the ports in Pepel and Tagrin, he said. Initial operation at the mine is set at 6 million tons of ore annually for the first three to four years, and it will be increased to 25 million tons with eventual production predicated at 45 million tons a year. Sierra Leone hoped the agreement would bring over 10,000 jobs to the West African country. **** 27 Staright.com Tuesday, 10 August 2010 http://www.straight.com/article-337877/vancouver/gwynne-dyer-few-victories-rule-law
Gwynne Dyer: A few victories for the rule of law
By Gwynne Dyer
Naomi Campbell may be dimwitted and self-centred—and the poor schmuck she gave the diamonds to 13 years ago is in deep trouble even though he never tried to turn them into cash—but she certainly is useful. If she hadn’t been forced to testify, nine out of 10 people wouldn’t even know who Charles Taylor is.
See? It worked. Unless you were on Mars last week, you already know that Taylor, the former Liberian strongman, is on trial at The Hague on charges of terrorism, murder, rape, enslavement and torture. You know it because the starstruck Taylor gave Campbell some illegal “blood diamonds” when they were both Nelson Mandela’s guests in South Africa in 1997, and because Mia Farrow (who was also there) eventually blew the whistle on her.
It’s not a story about war crimes, it’s a media feeding frenzy about celebrities. When Campbell gave her evidence to the international court in The Hague, the number of journalists covering the trial jumped tenfold. But she has served her purpose: now everybody knows that Charles Taylor has been brought to trial for killing, torturing, and maiming hundreds of thousands of his fellow Africans.
He is the first former African head of state ever to face an international court for the crimes he committed. There are a dozen others, many still in office, who deserve to stand beside him, and most of them never will. But the rule of law never means that all the wicked people get punished. At best, some are caught and punished, and with luck most of the rest moderate their behaviour to avoid the same fate.
Even in long-established states, the rule of law is constantly being challenged and subverted. In the international sphere, heads of state and other senior government officials were basically immune to prosecution until recently—but Taylor’s trial is an encouraging sign, and it is not the only one.
In Cambodia, another United Nations-backed tribunal delivered its first verdict last month, sentencing former prison boss Kaing Guek Eav, known as “Duch”, to 35 years in jail. Duch was a minor official in the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 and killed about a quarter of the population, but more senior officials will follow.
Duch came first because he ran the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, where the lucky inmates were only tortured for a week or two before they were murdered. Seventeen thousand went in; seven survived. Thirty-five years of prison seems too short, and the judge actually commuted it to 19 years because of time already served. But Duch will be 86 years old in 19 years—and anyway the sentence is far less important than the fact that there was a trial. 28 Later this year, the trials of the real leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime will begin: head of state Khieu Samphan, deputy prime minister Nuon Chea (“Brother Number Two”), foreign minister Ieng Sary, and his wife Ieng Thirith, the minister of social affairs. (“Brother Number One,” Pol Pot, died in 1998.) No penalty can match their crimes, but at least they will finally face a court.
If you seek perfect justice, you’ll have to die first. In the real world, bringing the powerful to justice generally involves a certain amount of bargaining. Take Turkey, where the government announced on August 9 that 102 military officers accused of plotting a coup against the democratic order would not be arrested after all. In strictly legal terms it was a deeply unsatisfactory outcome. In practical terms, it was the best outcome imaginable.
Turkey is no Liberia or Cambodia. It is a state with centuries of history as an empire, and over half a century as a democracy. But it was always a country where the armed forces felt that they had the final veto.
Four democratically elected Turkish governments have been overthrown by the military in the past 50 years. When the current government, whose appeal is strongest to devoutly Muslim voters, was first elected in 1992, many soldiers felt that they had to “defend the secular state” again.
They were wrong, but much of the senior officer corps got involved in discussions about a coup code-named “sledgehammer”. It never happened, but years later the story came out. The rule of law was at stake, so the government arrested some senior soldiers.
This was unprecedented in Turkey, where the military have always been sacrosanct. More arrests followed, some trials got underway, and everybody held their breath waiting to see what the military would do. Answer: they nominated a general who had been implicated in the coup discussions as the chief of the land forces.
So the government announced that 102 more officers, including 25 generals and admirals, would be arrested. After a tense staring match, the military backed down. A different officer, not implicated in “sledgehammer”, will now become the land forces chief—and the 102 arrests were cancelled.
If you want the flawless enforcement of laws that rise above human politics, don’t look for it here—and even less in Liberia or Cambodia. But if you would like to see the rule of law advance in the world, however haltingly, then take heart.
The second edition of Gwynne Dyer’s latest book, Climate Wars, has just been published in Canada by Random House. 29 Right Side News Tuesday, 10 August 2010 http://www.rightsidenews.com/2010081011311/politics-and-economics/world-justice-meme- emerges.html
World Justice Meme Emerges
The Daily Bell
"Charles Taylor: A man betrayed ... AU leaders had an agreement that facilitated peace in Liberia. It's shameful how Obasanjo threw Charles Taylor under the bus after pressure from the Europeans and America (not a signatory to the so-called UN court). For four years Iraq went through a wave of brutal ethnic cleansing, I don't see the UN Court going after the Iraqi Cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr and Co. as well as those brutal Afghan tribal war lords; all of whom the US State Department and other foreign powers struck deals (with). I believe African leaders need to grow more "spine", there will be more ridiculous demands by western countries and the UN to change some part of our constitution in a few years." - Femi Fani-Kayode/NEXT
Dominant Social Theme: Step by step the world is getting to be a better place.
Free-Market Analysis: Like everybody else, we have been transfixed by the war-crimes tribunal that is weighing the fate of former Liberian strongman Charles Taylor. OK ... that was a nice opening line, but actually, we don't know anyone who is "transfixed," and few who are following it, closely anyway. But the tribunal grinds on and actually it is probably one of the more significant events of the 21st century because it is setting a good many precedents having to do with the imposition of yet another layer of "justice" on this unjust world. It is, in fact, a big deal.
In this article we will provide a distinctly non-mainstream view of that background. As you can see from the above article excerpt, the larger "back-story" has not found its way into the Western mainstream press. Certainly, we've been surprised by what we've found. We looked into it, in part, because, unlike previous tribunals, it's been in the news. The testimony of uber-model Naomi Campbell and the faux-fecund Mia Farrow - who has dozens of children of all ethnicities (like current-day star Angelina Jolie) and who never met a UN cause she'd turn down - have brought some level of Western attention to the tribunal.
It seems to us this could be yet another power elite promotion, an important dominant social theme a- building. The meme in more detail, might be, "World justice cries out for world judicial authority - thank goodness for the pioneers at the Hague." In fact, this is obviously a theme very close to the beating, bleeding heart of the elite. World justice is still lacking from the global equation. It can't be installed in the UN because a plurality would probably end up in jail, and it's taken a long time to germinate.
How did Charles Taylor end up at the Hague? It is a bit of a tangled tale, but an important one, in our view - involving as it apparently does the United States, George Bush and a good amount of international intrigue and derring do - all ending up on display along with Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow. First a little bit on the concept of "universal justice" taken from Wikipedia, as follows:
Universal jurisdiction or universality principle is a principle in public international law (as opposed to private international law) whereby states claim criminal jurisdiction over persons whose alleged crimes were committed outside the boundaries of the prosecuting state, regardless of nationality, country of residence, or any other relation with the prosecuting country. The state backs its claim on the grounds that the crime committed is considered a crime against all, which any state is authorized to punish, as it is too serious to tolerate jurisdictional arbitrage ... 30 The concept received a great deal of prominence with Belgium's 1993 "law of universal jurisdiction", which was amended in 2003 in order to reduce its scope following a case before the International Court of Justice regarding an arrest warrant issued under the law, entitled Case Concerning the Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000 (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Belgium). The creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2002 reduced the perceived need to create universal jurisdiction laws, although the ICC is not entitled to judge crimes committed before 2002. ...
In 2003 Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, was served with an arrest warrant by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) that was set up under the auspices of a treaty that binds only the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone. This is different from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (that were specifically mentioned in the ICJ Arrest Warrant Case), that were set up under the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter that grant powers to the Security Council that are binding on all UN member states. In this respect the SCSL is more like the International Criminal Court that although it denies immunity to Heads of State.
Now to Charles Taylor himself. According to this article in NEXT (seemingly a fairly major Nigerian news site) Charles Taylor ceded power in Liberia after agreeing to a deal that would allow him to take refuge in Nigeria. Of course, Taylor seems like a fairly mean piece of work. Here's how the Digital Journal (which is covering the trial) puts it: "Prosecutors claim Taylor helped plunge Sierra Leone into civil war from 1992-2002 using the 'blood diamonds' to finance armies of drugged child soldiers from his neighbouring country of Liberia. The conflict inspired the Hollywood movie Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou."
Generally speaking, war is a dirty business (as WikiLeaks has shown us once again); still, a deal is a deal (or maybe not?). Taylor gave up power and Nigeria took him in. One might think that was the end of the story, but due to pressure from the United States and Europe (especially the Bush Administration) the deal was abrogated and Taylor was flushed out of Nigeria and flown to the Hague where he is now standing trial. Here's how Femi Fani-Kayode puts it:
This was the betrayal of the century and, in my view, those that should have known better panicked at the last minute and broke ranks. But I do not believe that Obasanjo was amongst those that betrayed anybody. To be fair to [Nigerian] President Olusegun Obasanjo he was, in fact, the last man standing and he resisted the pressure until it all came to a head during a state visit to America when George W. Bush refused to see him until Taylor was produced. Ironically the real traitor was not Obasanjo but rather President Ellen Sirlief-Johnson of Liberia.
And who is President Johnson? According to Fani-Kayode, she was actually the "American and Nigerian candidate" for election in Nigeria following the deal for Taylor to step down. Fani-Kayode speculates that she "worked closely" with Americans before she came to power and that "she was always at the Villa in Abuja in those days and I think that she was one of those people that used to work for the World Bank before she came home for the elections."
Fani-Kayode rehearses the terms of the deal for us in his article. It was a simple one, he says. Taylor would step down but he was not to be harassed in any way. He would not face prosecution in Liberia, nor "at the International Court at The Hague and Nigeria would not be pressured or harassed by anyone to extradite him anywhere." He was supposed to live simply and quietly in Nigeria and stay out of politics.
Fani-Kayode relates how the Bush Administration suddenly reneged on the deal and placed a great deal of pressure on Nigeria to turn Taylor over the to the Hague. "I was deeply involved in that public spat as [Nigerian] presidential spokesperson," he relates. "Things eventually came to a head when Obasanjo went on a state visit to America and a final demand was made for Taylor ... It was at that point that George W. 31 Bush pointblank refused to see Obasanjo whilst he remained in Washington unless and until Taylor was traced, found and handed over to the Liberians."
We can see from this that the Americans were instrumental in remanding Taylor to the International Court of Criminal Justice at The Hague in the Netherlands. This is ironic since, Fani-Kayode notes "America herself, who fought for and orchestrated all of this, is NOT a signatory to that Court and therefore no former or serving American president, leader, citizen or even soldier can ever be brought before it to face any charges of crimes against humanity. That tells you just how unfair and ridiculous the whole world system is."
Fani-Kayode, once a high-ranking Nigerian, is obviously upset at American actions regarding Taylor. What is important from our point of view, however, is the apparently unremarkable nature of this exercise in international justice. It's been reported on by the mainstream media just as if it is a local or federal trial. There have been transcripts, descriptions of the court-room and the demeanor of the participants. It might as well be "Judge Judy" as a precedent-setting global court.
To us it's remarkable. (No doubt, we are in the minority.) We note that Mia Farrow and Naomi Campbell have both been subpoenaed to appear at the Court, and that Campbell was apparently threatened with seven years in jail. It's a bit unclear to us as to how this subpoena power works and what jail Campbell would have found herself in. We're a little surprised this aspect of court affairs has not been more thoroughly examined by the mainstream Western media, which is covering this trial as though it were a normal, even humdrum occurrence.
A lot of power elite promotional elements seemingly converge on this trial. There are the initial reports about Taylor himself, which painted him as the second coming of Idi Amin, except worse. Then there was a major movie, "Blood Diamonds" that popularized the horrible idea that Taylor was using diamonds to fund a war of genocide. Surprisingly, it turns out, the Bush administration was eventually instrumental in shipping Taylor to the Hague to stand trial. And now, of course, the trial itself has become something of a celebrity event with the testimony of a major actress, Farrow, and a major "Supermodel," Naomi Campbell.
Conclusion: It is certainly possible to maintain all the above was a coincidence. But here at the Bell, we try to track the fear-based promotions of the power elite and there are many elements to this story that seem to us to have been manipulated to provide the Hague a profile in prosecuting a most evil and beastly man. Is it too much of a stretch to suggest that the current spectacle has been, in a sense, preplanned? There is almost no doubt (for us anyway) that the elite seeks an international judiciary. It has to be built, piece-by-piece. 32 The Gazette Tuesday, 10 August 2010 http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/story.html?id=3380708
Divided loyalties hamper international court
States can't be relied on to honour their statutory obligations
By SIMON JENNINGS, Freelance
Photograph by: MOHAMED NURDLDIN ABDALLAH REUTERS, Freelance
The International Criminal Court has charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with genocide.
The recent visit to Chad by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir illustrates a fundamental problem confronting the International Criminal Court.
Bashir was indicted, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, in March 2009. Earlier this year, the charges against him were expanded to include three counts of genocide.
According to the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court, all member states are obliged to arrest indictees if they enter their territory.
However, Chad, which has signed the Rome Statute, offered Bashir a warm welcome rather than an arrest warrant. Chad's leaders, who claimed that the court has been unfairly targeting African leaders, said their country was not obligated to facilitate Bashir's arrest.
Chad cited a resolution by the African Union, which urged member states not to cooperate in sending the Sudanese president to The Hague.
The decision by Chad's President Idriss Deby, to place his country's relations with the African Union ahead of its obligations to the international court, has highlighted the court's inability to require compliance among its member states.
At issue is the African Union's contention that Bashir enjoys immunity from prosecution because he is a head of state. The court insists no such immunity exists, but since Sudan is not a signatory to the statute creating the court, some have argued that it is not governed by its rulings. 33 In addition, Article 98 of the Rome Statute stipulates that a country does not have to comply with a court's request if it runs contrary to "its obligations under international law with respect to the State or diplomatic immunity of a person or property of a third State."
Al-Hadi Shalluf, a French-Libyan lawyer, said, "The African Union is a regional organization and it is recognized by the United Nations. But it has no authority and no mandate to break international law."
Other experts were more equivocal.
"There may be obligations on state parties, created by the Rome Statute, and Chad is subject to these obligations under international law," said Professor William Schabas, formerly of Montreal and now head of the Irish Centre for Human Rights. "But Chad is also a member of the African Union and it may feel compelled to follow the political direction of the African Union as reflected in the resolution."
Beyond the legal wrangling, the fact is that there are no sanctions outlined in the Rome Statute. This leads to punish countries that fail to comply, leads other lawyers to conclude that the court's hands are tied.
"The court can't do an awful lot because the whole Rome Statute is predicated upon complementarity, and states fulfilling their statutory obligations, and there is no sanction for non-compliance," explained Karim Khan, who works as a defence lawyer at the court.
"The reality is that an indicted head of state is only going to be arrested when the states concerned decide that (it is in) their interests to bring him to justice," Khan said.
Simon Jennings is a reporter in The Hague.
Institute For War & Peace Reporting
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