19 March 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
Judge Doherty: That was not the question.
Wit: I met Mr. Gus over 5-6-7 times. If he said over 15 times, he would be telling a lie. But it was over five times.
Def: Each occasion was to receive arms from him?
Wit: Not all the times. The time he came with his friend with the big stomach I went to escort him. I received weapons more than three times.
Def: On how many times did you receive arms from Gus at Buchanan Port?
Wit: I said he himself was present more than three times. Each time we went, his chief of security, Mike Captan (?) was there. He was present. I was present. Over 3-4 times.
Def: On each of those occasions it was a large shipload of arms that arrived?
Wit: The ship would be over the sea, across the sea. The quantity of the ammo that I saw, sometimes they were in the speedboats. The big boat was over the ocean. Mike Captan and others would go and bring them, then put them in my car. Sometimes I took them from a warehouse. I can't tell how much.
Def: Truckloads?
Wit: I made the trip with the Mack truck on three different occasions. We took them to White Flower, Taylor's residence.
Def: Were you escorted by ECOMOG troops, escorted by Victor?
Wit: No.
Def: How did you get them there?
Wit: It was not the time of ECOMOG. Charles Taylor was President at the time.
Def: (references document) I suggest you're a liar.
Wit: I am not a liar. If I were a liar I was going to accept a closed session to explain these things. I decided to do it in the open session so the public would see I'm telling you the truth.
Def: I suggest you've never sat with Taylor and never received orders from him.
Wit: I'm saying the facts.
Def: I suggest you've never spoken to him on either the phone or radio.
Wit: I spoke to him so many times, even before he established the Poro society where we ate people's livers. The reason why Taylor trusted me was the Poro society law. I started sitting with Taylor during the death of Fiah Doe (?) and we ate his liver. The same thing happened with Sam Dokie. This woman Annie Yenie (?), she cooked the liver and Taylor shared it with us. He trusted me. Even the time he escaped from Ghana and we arrested Moses Blah, he was there in Ben's veranda, and he said we should control those hearts until he came. When Taylor arrived, we took it and shared it.
Def: Have you got a fascination with eating human flesh?
Wit: Because what I'm saying, he and I passed through so many things that he trusts me. We ate human beings together. If you ask him he will tell you.
Def: You never spoke to Taylor on the phone or the radio, did you?
Wit: I did. I spoke with him on the phone and radio. We shook hands. We ate together in the Poro society to safeguard our secret.
Def: When you say, Taylor gave orders to do anything, you're assuming he did because he was president of Liberia?
Wit: Yes. I'm talking about more than the presidency. It was not because he was president of Liberia. I'm telling the truth.
Def: I suggest you did whatever you did without orders from Taylor.
Wit: During Taylor's administration, there was no man to say he would do things his own way. Now I have disclosed to you the secrets of my poro society. Now I will no longer be a member. That is the secret, and that made him Dhakphana (sp?)
Judge Sebutinde: What do you mean?
Wit; Dhakphana is the big man who gives orders in the Poro society. That is his poro society name. When you look at his face you will be shrouded in fear. He had authority.
Def: For what?
Wit: In order to control the republic.
Def: Are you saying you did all those wicked things out of fear?
Wit: We did it. It was because I was afraid and I was a part of it.
Def: Why are you crossing yourself? Is it because you've lied under oath?
Witness: I have broken the laws of my poro society. Everything has been exposed.
Defense: I suggest you're crossing yourself because under oath you've lied. And you've been lying for the last three days.
Witness: I'm saying the truth. From here you will see me appear before the TRC of Liberia - the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Defense has no further questions.
Prosecution has no questions on re-examination.
Judge Doherty: The bench has no questions for the witness.
One defense and one prosecution are formally entered into evidence.
Judge Doherty thanks and excuses the witness.
Prosecution: The prior witness (Isaac Mongor) is not available. We suggest we resume after the recess.
Defense agrees.
Presiding Judge Doherty: Court will adjourn early. The judicial recess begins on Monday. The trial will resume on March 31.
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