Tamba Jean-Matthew
4 November 2009
Nairobi — Former Liberia President Charles Taylor who is being tried by the UN-back court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for crimes he allegedly committed in the neighbouring country, has confessed to sending fighters to help rebels inflict mayhem on civilians during the 11-year war in the country.
The UN Special Court report said "in a surprising move, Charles Taylor reinforced the truthfulness of his former vice president's testimony against him earlier in the trial."
The report quoted Mr Taylor as testifying yesterday that "To a great extent, Moses Blah (Taylor's former Vice President) told the court the truth."
When asked by his defence counsel to give his view on his former vice president's testimony, Mr Taylor said: "There were three areas where unfortunately, he (Blah) was wrong, but added that 90-95 per cent of what he (Blah) said is true."
Mr Taylor's analysis of Mr Blah's testimony came as part of his ongoing effort to respond to evidence provided by several prosecution witnesses, disputing their claims that he provided support for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in Sierra Leone after November 1996 at the height of the civil war which left an estimated 250,000 dead.
In May 2008, Mr Blah had testified for the prosecution against his former boss a testimony which covered Mr Taylor's activities from the late 1980s when the two men were together in Libya and planning to invade Liberia, up to 2003 when Mr Taylor handed the presidency of Liberia to Mr Blah and sought asylum in Nigeria under pressure from the then US government of George W. Bush.
Mr Taylor went through some aspects of Mr Blah's testimony and agreed with him that as vice president, he had no knowledge that arms and ammunition were transported from Liberia to Sierra Leone for use by RUF rebels.
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To all those who were pointing fingers the wrong places. Now that Talor has admitted doing this graffic destructions and wrongs to Sierra Leone and her people; what are we going to say about it ??? Is Talor guilty ?? If so, he should never be forgiving. Killings your own brothers and sisters for your greediness, and to support those who never care for your own; is the greatest crime ever.
Foryoh, under no conditions that I tttahs will move away from me blaming this Liberian bandict call Charles Gangkay or Gangay Taylor for the war he sponsored against my country Sierra Leone. One interesting point he made, was to say that 'horrific,nortorious,useless rebel and bandicts' leader, Johnny Paul Koroma was well and alive'. Some of us know this is very true. Johnny Paul Koroma is either in Liberia or Burkina Faso.
No matter how long he stays away,we'll get him one day.He should read about the "Nazi war criminals" who are been tracked almost every year. On this post, one time I did dispute the fact that Johnny Paul Koroma's grave was found in Liberia. This was a complete mockery to the Intellegence of those who know some of the stories. Follow my posts,you'll see some truth in it. One day we'll reveal the name of his sponsors in Burkina Faso.
For me,all I want to Taylor do is to say to the Sierra Leonean people that he is sorry for the evil that he did to Sierra Leoneans.If he can do this,I swear I'll get on the national radio in favour of Taylor to ask Sierra Leoneans to forgive him(Taylor).Anything falling short of this,will get Taylor to hell. I don't like to see people lie. To Taylor supporters,I say to you the 'the bells of truth are ringing slowly and slowly'.
The next point, Taylor is trying to hold a rope because he is dwroning in the pacific ocean.That rope is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.He should keep his lies away from this good woman.
All of what Taylor is saying about his decision to go to Nigeria just on August 11 2003 amount to mere blasphemy.
At least those displaced Liberians and foreign nationals who occupied the Graystone Compound,the UNOMIL building,the Wellington Appartment and the Haider Buildings at the Mamba Point can attest that Taylor,his defense minister,Daniel Chea and all of his political stalwarts were completely demoralised by Damate and his advancing LURD forces.There was a time between July and August 2003 especially,when Daniel Chea could not use the Broard Street to come down to Sinkor from the Ducal Hotel at the end of Broad Street.Instead,Chea would use the UN Drive,gets through the Mamba Point Diplomatic enclave,then dribble through the Mamba Point Hotel,the Ambassador Hotel and the old internal affairs building to get to the BTC before getting to Sinkor either by way of the Jallah town intersection or just driving between the executive mansion and the capitol. It was then that Taylor was made to realise that he and his cohorts combined could not repel the troubles of Damate Corneh.Such a moment must have been one that coerced Taylor to leave Liberia for sanctuary elsewhere in Nigeria,thinking that Obasanjo had an artificial heaven to hide him(Taylor).
If Taylor had earlier told leaders at the June 4 2003 meeting in Ghana that he would resign,he had only done so thinking that said vague promise would ease the pressure on him,hence allow him plan further mayhem. Why did Taylor promise to "fight from street to street and from house to house" at the height of battle for control of Monrovia shortly before his departure in 2003?Was it because he wanted to fulfil promise he earlier made at the June 4 peace talks in Ghana?May be he was hopeful of getting more arms and amunition from some sources.
Taylor has indeed been duped.His admirers must know that this "papay"is not any longer as omniscient as earlier concieved.
Where in this acticle that says Taylor Admits Aiding Rebels? This is how you people post lies. Most of you will commit suicide at the end of the trial.
borri, I ask that you read the November 4th,2009 article on this site,with the caption, "Taylor Admits Aiding Rebels". Taylor's tesimony of admitting to the crime,was due to the truth that his Former V.P. Moses Blah revealed to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Hague.
Borri, I'm glad you're back on this site. I missed your posts for a long time. I thought you were dead and gone because in Liberia,you're still hunting and killing your own brothers who oppose your crimes and deeds. Take care!
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