Freetown — Senators of the United States of America (US) past Wednesday proposed in the House during a debate that debt relief to Nigeria from the US be refused should President Olusegun Obasanjo not turnover indicted erstwhile head of state of Liberia, Charles Taylor to the United Nations backed Special Court in Sierra Leone to face war crimes charges.

Senator Obama, in his contribution noted, "I agree with the senior Senator from Vermont about the importance of upholding the rule of law in Africa and around the world. I would also like to add my support for the efforts of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to bring to justice some of the worst war criminals of the 20th century. While the Special Court has not been perfect, there is no question that the Court is doing vitally important work of promoting peace and reconciliation, increasing accountability, and strengthening the rule of law throughout West Africa.

I also want to discuss a related issue--the case of Charles Taylor I will simply say that Charles Taylor is an indicted war criminal, and he needs to be transferred to the Special Court to stand trial as soon as possible. The Government of Nigeria has allowed Charles Taylor to live in exile, within its borders, with the support of the international community, including the United States, since August 2003. While we owe Nigeria a debt of gratitude for helping prevent further bloodshed in Liberia, it is time for Mr. Taylor to be transferred to the Special Court.

No nation should be permitted to willfully ignore an indictment issued by this tribunal. Moreover, there are credible reports that Mr. Taylor has broken the terms of his exile, is a threat to the Liberian peace process, and continues to meddle in the internal affairs of Liberia--just a few months before the Liberian elections." Senator Leahy in his contribution said, "I absolutely share the Senator's views of the situation. Charles Taylor's actions are a breach of his promises to Nigerian President Obasanjo. And, I believe that if Nigeria does not hand over Charles Taylor for trial, it could constitute a threat to Liberian peace, justice in Sierra Leone, and the rule of law throughout West Africa. This is why the provision of law that I mentioned earlier is so important. It is the law of the United States that there shall be no assistance to the central government--including debt relief--for countries harboring fugitives from the Special Court for Sierra Leone. There is strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress to reauthorize this provision in fiscal year 2006, which means that unless President Bush issues a waiver, Nigeria will not be eligible for U.S. debt relief or military assistance, or any other assistance to the central government, until it sends Charles Taylor to the Special Court for trial.

"I would point out that President Bush can exercise the waiver authority in the law by simply submitting a plan in writing on how the Administration will get Mr. Taylor to the Special Court to stand trial.

Mr. President, it is not in the interests of the people of West Africa, including Nigeria, or the United States, to continue to shelter Charles Taylor from justice. As a strong supporter of debt relief, I believe there is a strong case to be made that Nigeria's debt should be forgiven--but not until President Obasanjo again demonstrates leadership and hands over Charles Taylor for trial. At that point, I will strongly support debt relief for Nigeria and actively lobby the administration and Congress to make it a reality."