Chuckie Taylor convicted of murder and torture in Miami………

Chuckie Taylor (depicted in court) shot three victims and ordered dozens tortured because they were a threat to Charles Taylor

Chuckie Taylor the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor was today convited in a Miami court of murder and torture while he headed his father pro-government military unit from 1997 to 2003.
A federal court jury found Chuckie Taylor guilty of five counts of torture, conspiracy to torture, using a firearm to commit a crime and conspiracy to use a firearm to commit a crime. The jurors deliberated for almost two days. He faces life in prison, with sentencing set for Jan. 9.
Prosecutors said the 31-year-old Chuckie was involved in killings and torture as head of an elite Antiterrorist Unit in his father’s government also known as the “Demon Forces.” From 1999 to 2003, Chuckie’s job was to use his paramilitary soldiers to silence opposition to Taylor and train soldiers for conflict in neighboring African countries, according to trial testimony.
A succession of witnesses and victims told the jury about Chuckie’s involvement in horrific acts including at least three killings and torture using electric shocks, lit cigarettes, molten plastic, hot irons pressed to flesh, stabbings with bayonets and even biting ants shoveled onto people’s bodies.

Many of the victims were accused of being anti-Taylor rebels or sympathizers and were kept prisoner at a base known as Gbatala, where inmates were often kept in pits partially filled with water and covered with iron bars and barbed wire.

“I want the world to know what happened to me so it will not happen again in the future,” former prisoner Rufus Kpadeh testified during the trial. He showed jurors scars on his arms from molten plastic that was dripped on him.

Did these fools really think they would go free after all the atrocities they committed in Liberia? in my opinion this criminal don’t even deserved life in prison, but at least this victory in court today will give some closure to the families of the thousands of victims of these savages barbaric crimes against the Liberian people, i can only hope he rots in hell where he and his good for nothing father belongs.

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Happy Birthday Madame President……………

President Sirleaf

Today October 29 2008 is the 70th birth anniversary of the President of Liberia.

Liberians at home and abroad congratulate you and join you in celebrating this special day in your life, and we wish you many more happy birthdays to come. some people were truly born to lead, and you Madame President are definitely one of them. we pray and thank you for your tireless effort in helping guard our people and the nation to prosperity in these trouble times.

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12 peace corp volunteers sworn in at a ceremony in Monrovia…

Twelve American peace corp volunteers have been sworn-in at a ceremony witnessed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United States Ambassador to Liberia  Linda Thomas-Greenfield in Monrovia.
Peace Corps country director, Lucianne Phillips said the volunteers will focus on the educational sector of the country, expressing the hope that their work would make a significant impact in the growth and development of the country.

The volunteers with the President after the ceremony.

The volunteers will take up assignments in rural Liberia and other parts of the country with a focus on the educational sector of the country including the rural teachers training institutes, agriculture, as well as midwifery training programs in South-eastern Liberia.
Administering the oath of service Monday at the C.Cecil Dennis auditorium, Peace Corps director Ronald Tschetter, credited President Sirleaf for the return of the volunteers to Liberia. Mr. Tschetter said it was the Liberian President who convinced US President George Bush of the need for the return of the Peace Corps to Liberia during previous discussions in the United States between the two leaders. The peace corp director also expressed the hope that their contribution will help enhance the country’s development programs and further strengthen the longstanding ties which Liberia and the United States have shared since the founding of the Republic.

The Peace corps were active in Liberia from 1962 to 1990 the year the program was suspended due to Country’s civil conflict.

More peace corps are expected to join the initial number of volunteers later.

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U.S and Liberia hail ties during President Bush and President Sirleaf meeting at the White House…..

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Wednesday met with President Bush in the oval office and said Liberia was on track to become a strong and democratic economy after more than a decade of civil war.She thank the President and the American people for all the support given the Liberian people over the years. “With the continued support of the American people and continued support of the American administration and Congress, we feel that Liberia can become a post-conflict success story,” she added.
President Sirleaf clearly one of the U.S president favorite foreign leader was received warmly by the President. “Madam President, I have come to respect you and admire you because of your courage, your vision, your commitment to universal values and principles. Laura and I had a fantastic experience traveling to Liberia, and we want to thank you for your warm hospitality. Yesterday, you made note of my — the lack of my talent when it came to dancing. But nevertheless, I want you to know I danced with joy. And no question Liberia has gone through very difficult times. But no question there’s a bright future for Liberia. Liberia needs the help of the United States and other nations to help make sure children are educated, to make sure babies are not dying because of malaria, to make sure there’s an infrastructure so that small businesses can flourish, to make sure the port is open for business. We have been helpful and we want to be helpful in the future. And I’m confident in saying to the American people that by helping this President and Liberia, we really help ourselves in many ways.

And so it’s been a joy to know you. It’s been a great experience working with you, and I congratulate you on your strong leadership. Welcome.
Liberia continued to enjoy warm relations with United States since President Sirleaf was elected as President of Liberia in 2005.
In other positive news for Liberia, The U.S. Peace Corps annouce today that it first group of volunteer will return to Liberia next week for the first time since brutal fighting erupted there two decades ago.
Peace Corps director Ronald Tschetter says the 12 new volunteers who arrive Monday will focus on rebuilding the West African nation’s shattered education system.
And Delta airlines Inc the only U.S. network carrier to serve Africa, today announced it will expand its service to the African continent with the introduction of the first and only flight between Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport, Liberia*. The service, which will make a stop at Amilcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island, Cape Verde*, will start in June, 2009.
in an announcement today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf praised Delta’s investment in her country.
“I was excited to learn that Delta Air Lines has made the commitment to provide direct flight service to Liberia,” said Johnson-Sirleaf. “Liberia continues to flourish and, with the commitment by companies in the U.S. to do business in our country, there is opportunity for continued economic growth. This development also provides convenience for Liberians in Diaspora to come home and to bring their skills and talents in support of the country’s development. Delta Air Lines is providing a means to bring business into the country and we welcome them.”
In recent years, Delta has expanded its presence in Africa. The carrier already offers flights from Atlanta to Lagos, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa and Dakar, Senegal.

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