The Inquirer (Monrovia)
24 March 2008
The Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China, Zhou Yuxiao, says his country is not the source of the money that was reportedly provided to some members of the House of Representatives as inducement for them to sign a petition to remove former House Speaker, Edwin Snowe.
For some time now, it has been rumored in certain quarters that China provided the money that was allegedly distributed to some lawmakers, with each of them receiving US$5,000 to sign a petition to remove from office their former Speaker, Edwin Snowe.
But in reacting to the alleged claim when he was asked to comment on the issue last Wednesday in Voinjama, Lofa County, where he formed part of President Sirleaf's delegation, which included members of her cabinet, superintendents of all of the political sub-divisions among others to discuss the government's Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), Ambassador Yuxiao said at no time did China make available money for such a purpose as is being alleged.
He said it was not the policy of the Chinese government to dish out money to the pockets of individuals.
Ambassador Yuxiao, who spoke in a serious mood, said if his country has funds available that it would want to give it away, its focus would be to assist the people of other countries in building schools or improving the educational sector; developing the agricultural sector; improving the lives of the people among others.
The Chinese Ambassador emphasized that it has never been part of the foreign policy of his country to give out money for such a purpose.
Ambassador Yuxiao's comment was the first by the Chinese government since news have been circulating in the country for the past one year that China, indeed provided the money to boot out Mr. Snowe, apparently for his alleged support for Taiwan to reestablish relations with Liberia while serving as Speaker of that August body.
Meanwhile, the Liberian cabinet at the end of the cabinet meeting chaired by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said it has finalized discussions on the PRS.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who made the disclosure to Executive Mansion reporters, said during the meeting, the cabinet also concluded discussions on the new vehicle policy adopted by government.
Addressing the press just before she departed Lofa County, on the outcome of the cabinet meeting, President Sirleaf said during the meeting they also discussed the fiscal budget for 2009, but noted that they have gone back into the discussion to see how they could explore ways in a bid to get more revenue to be able to accommodate the needs of the Liberian people.
During the President's visit to the county, she broke grounds for the renovation of the administrative building of the Lofa County Administrative Building, which would be refurbished with the support and funding from USAID.
The President also dedicated the newly constructed Telewoyan Hospital, which was reconditioned with the construction of additional buildings for nurses and staff by the Swiss government. President Sirleaf commended the Swiss government for the support.
Ambassador Walter Fust of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the new Swiss Ambassador to Liberia graced the ceremony. The hospital is named in honor of the late Paramount Chief Akoi Telewoyan who died in 1966.
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