Global Policy Forum

Transition Govt takes over today

By Isichei Osamgbi and Amby Uneze

As the Gyude Bryant led Transitional Government of Liberia takes over today, from Interim President, Moses Blah, exiled former President, Charles Taylor, has for the first time since he arrived Nigeria, reacted to reports that he is meddling with the internal affairs of his country. In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, Taylor denied recent allegations that he was running Liberia and influencing things dangerously from his Calabar exile base. Rather, he pointed out that if anything, he is most positively disposed to peace in Liberia than anybody. He added that his conversations were in support of peace in that country.

He noted that since his departure from Liberia was hurried, he did not have enough time to dialogue with his former Vice President, Hon. Moses Blah, who he handed over to as, Head of the Interim Government. "Leaving as I did, and he being plunged into the Presidency so suddenly, one would think that we both had some basic issues to address (for the good of the country). According to him, "My conversations were peaceful and certainly in support of peace. I never envisaged that such conversations, as positive as they were, would be termed 'disruptive". I regret the twisted perception". Pointing out that he left power for the sake of peace, the former Liberian leader said, " it was not an easy endeavor for me to give up the Presidency in due tenure and leave the 85 percent population that voted me. However, it must be said factually that I did it for them. As power is inherent in the people, I determined that I was not prepared to see them die any more".

While stating that he sacrificed everything for peace, Taylor urged everyone to forgive him and join hands with the new Transitional Government to build a new united and peaceful nation. "This is time for genuine reconciliation, healing and nation building. Truly, whether it is LURD or Model (and knows most of them), I forgive them all and ask that if I had wronged anyone, I am today asking that I too should be forgiven. Let us come together as one; for indeed we are one people. The longer we remain divided, the longer we fight. This is not a matter of personalities, but fact of life. I love Liberia and Liberians, and we must all work together."

Taylor expressed his gratitude to President Olusegun Obasanjo for his leadership role in resolving the Liberian crisis, along with his other colleagues, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, John Kufuor of Ghana and former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar but as he noted that their collective efforts prevented a catastrophe in that part of the African continent. He urged Liberians to ignore all the accusations against him, particularly those alleging that he was disrupting the activities of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces. Taylor said such allegations were designed to portray him in bad light, as someone opposed to the role of the Nigerian troops in the resolution of the Liberian crisis. Taylor equally noted that it is only by working together that Liberians can achieve peace as a people.

While thanking Governor Donald Duke and the people of Cross River State for their hospitality as a good host to him, he pointed out that; " my coming to Nigeria is an integral part of the peace process". He noted however, that it is clear to all by now that there were designs aimed at setting the Nigerian government against him. The former war lord, explained further that, "the strategy afoot is to orchestrate a scene whereby Nigeria and other soldiers serving in Liberia are brought in harms way with armed combatants believed to be loyalists, so as to attribute it to Charles Taylor". He also observed that time has come for people to stop pouring blame on Charles Taylor, and let the world face the task of rebuilding Liberia.

He also affirmed his support for the new Transitional Government, to be headed by Mr. Gyude Bryant. "I congratulate him, for I believe he is a good man who will work with all Liberians towards attainment of peace, solidarity and socio-cultural integration". Taylor also pledged his support to the new Interim Government of Bryant, and urged all Liberians to rally round them to move the nation forward.

Meanwhile, Liberians and leaders around the world, will gather today, to witness the swearing in ceremonies of the new Interim Government, which is a collection of members of various groups of Liberians. Equally, the commander of the United Nations troops in Liberia has thanked government and rebel leaders for making the capital Monrovia a weapons free zone, according to a press statement from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The statement, released in Monrovia yesterday, said UNMIL Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Daniel I. Opande made the remarks in a meeting on Saturday to discuss security arrangements for today's inauguration of a National Transitional Govern-ment of Liberia.

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