The Inquirer (Monrovia)
19 August 2008
The Executive Mansion says it does not support plans by some groups that are calling for the President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to give her testimony before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in camera.
The Executive Mansion, however said which ever way the commission would like for the President to give her testimony, the President would go by the wishes of the commission.
Presidential Press Secretary, Cyrus Wleh Badio, who made these assertions said the President is fully aware that she would appear before the TRC to explain her advocacy role in the country and what she knows about the Liberian civil crisis, stressing that the commission is also aware but that there are some misunderstanding over the schedule as it relates to the President's appearance.
The Presidential Press Secretary said a meeting between the President and the TRC took place recently and during that meeting the President did inform the commission that she was willing and prepared to appear before the body but hastened that because of the busy schedule of the President and the long list of witnesses that the commission has on the other hand to appear before the commission, there are some problems in the schedule over when the President would appear.
Addressing members of the Executive Mansion press corps on Monday, Mr. Badio reaffirmed the President's commitment to appear before the commission at the wish and pleasure of the commission.
According to Mr. Badio, the President would appear before the commission and give account of her advocacy role in the country over the last several years as well as provide explanations on the country's civil crisis.
Addressing himself to an issue reportedly being raised in some quarters that the President should give her testimony in camera, Mr. Badio said the Executive Mansion is not part of such plan by anyone or group and will never be part of such a plan.
He said whichever way the commission would like for the President to appear before it and give her testimony it would be left to the commission to decide.
When asked as to whether the President would choose to appear in camera or in public as witnesses Boweir, Tipoteh and others have done, Mr. Badio, said whether the President's testimony will be in camera or in public, her wish in appearing before the commission will be in line with what the commission wishes or decides.
He stressed that once the Executive Mansion can get the green light for the President to appear, she would appear to give her testimony.
He used the occasion to also reaffirm the Executive Mansion's support for the TRC process, but cautioned those appearing to do the commission a favor by speaking the truth.
Mr. Badio expressed the hope that a frame or mechanism is being put into place by the commission, to ensure that those who are appearing say the truth.
Meanwhile, Mr. Badio has refuted reports that the Executive Mansion is planning to take to court some individuals in connection to testimonies made before the commission. He said this is not the case, as the Mansion remains supportive of the TRC process.
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