Monrovia — A former official of the administration of slain President William R. Tolbert has linked agents of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the execution of the 1980 coup d'état.
It is widely believed that the 1980 Coup was carried out by 17 non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) of the People's Redemption Council (PRC).
Following the coup, 13 senior government officials of the Tolbert regime were executed by firing squad.
Cllr. Chea Cheapoo who served as Justice Minister under the PRC government told the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Tuesday that it was an American CIA agent that killed President Tolbert.
Cllr. Cheapoo quoted Mrs. Tolbert as informing him that her husband was shot by a 'white man' when he attempted leaving his bedroom during the coup at on the Executive Mansion.
"Mrs. Tolbert saw the CIA agent that assassinated her husband. She was on the scene. She told me several times that it was not Doe who killed her husband," he told the public hearings.
Cllr. Cheapoo, 66, also disclosed that President Samuel K. Doe and a former AFL Commanding Officer confided in him that the map used to enter the Executive Mansion was prepared and provided by the CIA.
"President Doe prevented me from seeing the map when General Quoiwonkpa attempted giving it to me at the Mansion," he said.
Cllr. Cheapoo indicated that the Americans are not good and were responsible for Liberia's nightmare, adding "I have problem with them."
"Following the coup, American CIA agents were assigned to work with us at the Justice Ministry," Cheapoo claimed.
Cheapoo who also claimed to have provided legal advice to the Progressive Alliance Of Liberia (PAL) concerning a protest, said he has no regret for the protest that led to violence and several deaths.
He said "If I have similar opportunity I will call for a street protest against the increase in the price of the country's staple, rice, which price continues to climb."
Cllr. Cheapoo denied his involvement in the death of his guardians Joseph Chessen, a former Justice Minister.
"Any attempt to secure his release could be treasonable. He could not be separated from the other officials," Cheapoo testified.
He also dissociated members of PAL from the execution of the 13 senior officials and said "God should punish me if I planned to kill them."
Cheapoo: "I should not go to heaven. I should suffer in hell if I have a hand in the death of anybody in this country. I am not a murderer."
Meanwhile, Cllr. Cheapoo has disclosed that 45 chiefs from the Southeast part of Liberia were killed by the True Whig Party (TWP) led-government and buried in a mass grave at the South Beach Prison in Monrovia.
He said he could take members of the TRC to the burial site if he is given the opportunity.
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How naive to believe that CIA agents were present at the Mansion and carried out the execution of Tolbert. (Cllr. Cheapoo quoted Mrs. Tolbert as informing him that her husband was shot by a 'white man') Mrs. Tolbert is dreaming.... Do you really believe a CIA agent would allow himself to be seen killing a Head of State? couldn't the CIA agent have been black? and even if the CIA had done the killing they wouldn't have allowed Mrs. Tolbert to live to tell Cllr. Cheapoo anything. Liberians have been proven to believe anything, they love the story that "hidden hands" have ruled their country. But what Cllr. Cheapoo is suggesting would be considered by the world to be an act of war by the United States and the US would not have taken such a risk. Lets face it...the indigenous population was tired of being ruled by the Americo's...resulting in the 1980 coup d'état. The only "real" hidden hands were the neo Liberians behind the coup...they couldn't take power openly so they were forced to make Doe the temporary leader...when he wouldn't leave that's when things got nasty. Lets ask this question: Was there knowledge of the coup d'état by the US Intelligence Agency? Yes, I am sure they knew...but did they pull the trigger? NO
I've heard this story since I was a kid in the early 80s. I lived very close to the international airport in Liberia. I do remember people who worked at the airport saying they saw US aircrafts that night, which was strainge. I think there is some meat to the story.
How naive to believe that CIA agents were present at the Mansion and carried out the execution of Tolbert.
(Cllr. Cheapoo quoted Mrs. Tolbert as informing him that her husband was shot by a 'white man')
Mrs. Tolbert is dreaming.... Do you really believe a CIA agent would allow himself to be seen killing a Head of State? couldn't the CIA agent have been black? and even if the CIA had done the killing they wouldn't have allowed Mrs. Tolbert to live to tell Cllr. Cheapoo anything.
Liberians have been proven to believe anything, they love the story that "hidden hands" have ruled their country. But what Cllr. Cheapoo is suggesting would be considered by the world to be an act of war by the United States and the US would not have taken such a risk.
Lets face it...the indigenous population was tired of being ruled by the Americo's...resulting in the 1980 coup d'état. The only "real" hidden hands were the neo Liberians behind the coup...they couldn't take power openly so they were forced to make Doe the temporary leader...when he wouldn't leave that's when things got nasty.
Lets ask this question: Was there knowledge of the coup d'état by the US Intelligence Agency? Yes, I am sure they knew...but did they pull the trigger? NO
Mr. Fahnbullah (Mr. Revolutionaries) you and the rest of your organized gangsters are bunch of cowards and compulsive liars. Yes, Liars. The Coup of April 12, 1980 was carried on by the American government. You are a Coward, that is afraid to say the truth. The American government was a culprit in the execution of Pres. William R. Tolbert. You all, rather have others do your dirty deals , then portray yourself as revolutionaries and heroes. Unfortunately, for the Liberian people you are skilled in the art of deceptiveness, your elusiveness and defense mechanism "I love my people" is nothing but rhetoric. Rhetoric of an Educated Fool and Adventurous who will do anything, all in the cause of power and greed with no regard to the lives and the sufferings of the people. You will one day be exposed. " You, Maggot!"
Mr. cabbie1199:
It is so interesting to know that you don't believe that Doe and others carried out the April 12 coup. Rather, it was done by the American Government.
You are also calling Dr. Fahnbullah and others that worked with the PRC Government liars,cowards and gansters.
In as much as I don't want get in argument with you on the merit of this issue, I am afraid that you are one those who grew up around Monrovia, probably lived with the Americo-Liberians as one of their houseboy/maid who knew nothing but their imperial ideology. So, I can reason why speaking of their (the Americo-Liberians) ills or anything not favoring them will bother a buffoon like you. How dare you call Dr. Fahnbullah a liar when he is speaking the truth?
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