The Inquirer (Monrovia)
7 March 2008
Plans are underway for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to investigate the financial transaction of thirty persons and several companies.
However, there is mounting public concern as to why it is only individuals who operated during the regime of former President Charles Taylor while leaving others who operated in government as far back as 1979 which the TRC is to cover.
According to a letter to Finance Minister, Antoinette Sayeh, the Commission asked the Ministry to assist it with information regarding these individuals as well as institutions in order to accurately and fairly reflect their accounts in the TRC records.
The letter dated February 25, 2008, the TRC said requested copies of receipts on duties paid in the name of Bridgeway Corporation for the importation of rice for the period 1997 to 2003.
The TRC also requested for copies of receipts of duties paid in the name of West Oil Investment for importation and shipment of petroleum product for the period 1997 to 2003.
According to the letter, the TRC also asked the Finance Ministry to furnish it with copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Government of Liberia, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation and the West Oil concerning the ten million United States Dollars loan to the Government of Liberia.
The Commission also needs copies of receipts of duties paid on rice importation in the name of the K and K Corporation for the period 1997 to 2003.
The TRC also asked for a complete employment history of James Mulbah Kpassaquoi including but not limited to salary history, benefits, reason for leaving employment, responsibilities, loan applications and the entire employment folders.
The Commission has also requested information on all taxes paid by Lone Star Communication from 1999 through 2003. The TRC also wants information on all dividend payment and to whom as well as to any MOU reached between GOL and Lone Star.
The Commission also requested for information on all income generated from the Maritime Accounts and the names of those with signatory authority over the Maritime Accounts.
Individuals targeted are Edwin Snowe, Benoni Urey, Emmanuel Shaw and Mrs. Coral Peabody. Others are Jamel Basma, Kassim Basma, former President, Moses Blah, Joseph Wang and John Tang.
The Commission also listed the names of Gus Kouwenhoven, Momo Jebbah, Daniel Chea, Roland Massaquoi, Lewis Brown, Coco Dennis, Reginald Goodrich and Judith Facathy.
Others include Charles Bright, Grace Minor, Roland Duo, Nathaniel Barnes, Myrtle Gibson, Edwin Zeelee, Yuler Gray, Juanita Neal, Melvin Sabine, George Haddah, Abbas Fawaz and Kassim Fawaz.
Concessionaires listed by the Commission are the African Hardwood Incorporated, RAS Timber Corporation, Akkari Timber (ATI Daba, Forestry and Agriculture products and Xoanon Liberia Limited and Associated Liberia.
Other companies on the list are Mabow Logging Corporation, Togba Timber Corporation, Inland Logging Company, Rivercess Logging, GAMMA Corporation, TUTEX, Forum Africa, Cavalla Timber Company, United Logging Corporation, Carlton Resources Incorporated, Skywood Enterprises, J and G Associates and the Forest Hills Karel Corporation.
The Progressive Logging Corporation, Dunee Enterprises, OTC, RTC, Liberia Forestry and TIMCO are among those who transactions are to be probe.
The Letter also named LIAP, the Spanish Liberian Development Corporation, Liberian Wood Management Corporation, Yekepa Logging Industry Incorporated, Cestos Timber Corporation, Power Tech, Iberic Liberian Forestry Corporation and the Mohammed Group of Companies.
The BIN Logging Company, Jasus Liberian Logging Corporation, Nelco, Tropical Logging, Prime Timber Products, West Mark Incorporated, Tropical Timber, Tropical Lumber Corporation, Liberian Timber and Plywood Operating Company and FKA Vanply.
However, many persons who spoke to The INQUIRER yesterday wondered why it is only individuals and companies that worked and operated during the Taylor regime are being targeted.
Some of these individuals expressed concern that such move by the TRC is undoubtedly a semblance of serious witch-hunting since they are exempting others who operated as far back as 1979 but are untouched.
A university student who spoke to The INQUIRER last night said the credibility of TRC itself is at stake especially so when commissioners engage in fist-fight instead of reconciling the Liberian people.
The student said it appears as though the TRC is bent on dividing the Liberian people instead of reconciling them for the betterment of the country.
A university professor who preferred anonymity wondered why the international community continues to fund the TRC when those who organized, planned and purchased weapons to execute the war are still sitting in the corner and enjoying the confessions of their field soldiers.
"The TRC is not on track because the chiefs who planned the war cannot come forward and confess their sins but would rather sit home and drink wine and listen to confessions from their then generals," a market woman said.
"Whatever the situation may be, time will tell if the TRC process would be a success or failure. Let them stop the witch-hunting and do the right thing," a taxi driver said.
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