The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Patrick K. Wrokpoh
16 March 2006
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, says the country has what she called a "little option" and would ensure that justice is done in accordance with the requirements of the United Nations and the broader international community.
President Sirleaf's comments were in apparent reference to the extradition to Liberia of the former President Charles Taylor, who is currently in exile in Calabar, Nigeria.
President Sirleaf's latest comments comes in the wake of reports that her government has asked the Nigeria government to extradite the former Liberia leader for possible prosecution at the United Nations sponsored Special Court in Sierra Leone, where he is wanted to answer to a 17 count indictment of crimes allegedly committed against humanity.
Speaking yesterday in Washington DC, when she addressed the joint section of the United States Congress, President Sirleaf commended the Nigerian Government for hosting the former Liberian leader.
She also commended the United States President George Bush for what she called "forcing a tyrant into exile", an apparent reference to the former President Taylor's departure from the country in A ugust 2003.
The former President went into exile under a special arrangement brokered by West African and African Union (AU) leaders. She said Liberia can not afford to sacrifice justice.
Addressing the U S Congress further, President Sirleaf outlined her government's vision to make Liberia a prosperous nation that would be stable, peaceful and provide the opportunity that would put family to work.
She said Liberians have the right to a government that will be honest and sensitive to their life, something which according to her is a priority of her government.
The Liberian leader, said the task of her government at this time, is maintaining the peace and stability of the nation and doing what is right. She stressed that to do this, Liberia needs the continuous support of the US Congress.
According to her, she ran as President of the nation because she is determined to see smile on the faces of the Liberian children once again, adding, "already, I can see that smile is coming once again," President Sir leaf vowed never to betray the truth and confidence reposed in her by the children, women population of Liberia and Liberians in general. She said all must be done to consolidate the peace in the country.
The Liberian leader told the US Congress that the country is emerging from two separate turmoils that eventually destroyed every fabric of the nation including its infrastructure.
She said it is her vision to see good governance in Liberia for the rest of her life time noting that Liberians are counting on her to make the dream of changing their lives for a better future.
President Sirleaf, who is the second Liberian to address the US Congress after the late President William R. Tolbert said Liberia's external debt has hit US$3.5 billion, blaming the debt largely on the part of her predecessors whom according to her were irresponsible and corrupt in their obligations to the nation.
President Sirleaf said with just few days in office of her administration, the country's revenue generating capacity has increased greatly to 21% while at the same time concession agreements that are not compliable have been cancelled.
President Sirleaf promised to provide education al facilities and up hold the rule of law.
She said this would apply to all Liberians as well as creating an efficient tax system that would increase government's revenue generating capacity.
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