Defense counsel Morris Anyah will cross examine prosecution witness Abu Keita:

Defense is handing out a bundle of documents to the judges and the prosecution – documents it will use during the cross-examination.

Def: You were born on OCtober 10, 1974, correct?

Wit: No.  I was born on October 10, 1972.

Def: Yesterday you said you joined the army at the age of 17 in 1990, correct?

Wit: Yes.

Def: And just now you said you were born in 1972?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Are you married to a woman named Mariama, whose maiden name is Koniwa?

Wit: I’m married.  That’s not her maiden name.

Def: Your wife is named Mariama, from Lowa Bambara Chiefdom in Sierra Leone?

Wit: Yes.

Def: While you were in Buedu with the RUF, Sam Bockarie gave you a second wife by the name Jenemba?

Wit: No.

Def: Do you have any children from a woman named Jenemba?

Wit: No.

Def: Do you have a son named Abu-Bakar Keita Jr?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Who’s his mother?

Wit: His mother is called Ouleleh.

Def: Do you have a daughter named Jenemba Keita?

Prosecution objects: This is irrelevant.  There’s no reason to read out the names of the witness’s family members in court.  Defense: Prosecution asked about his family on direct examination and whether this was a consideration in his move to Sierra Leone.   Judge Doherty: I will allow the question.

Def: Do you have a daughter named Jenemba Keita?

Wit: No.

Def: You said you joined the AFL in 1990 and at the time you were based in Monrovia?

Wit: No, Tubmanburg.

Def: Tubmanburg is in Montserrado County, close to Monrovia?

Wit: Tubmanburg is close to Monrovia.

Def: You left the AFL to join the LUDF?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Before that you fought with the AFL against the NPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Other warring factions were fighting in 1990, including the Liberia Peace Council headed by George Boley?

Wit: Yes.

Def: In addition to the LPC and NPFL, there was also the INPFL, the Independent NPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Prince Yormie Johnson headed the INPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Taylor headed the NPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: When you left the AFL, you could have joined the NPFL?

Wit: No.

Def: You could have joined the INPFL or the Liberia Peace Council?

Wit: No.

Def: Are you saying you were forced to join the LUDF?

Wit: The LUDF was formed in Sierra Leone.

Def: You had a choice, and you chose the LUDF?

Wit: Yes.

Def: One of the warring enemies of the LUDF was Taylor’s NPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: You were with the LUDF when it transformed into ULIMO?

Wit: Yes.

Def: This was in Sierra Leone, and ULIMO was armed and funded by the SL government?

Wit: Yes.

Def: ULIMO fought Taylor’s NPFL?

Wit: Yes.

Def: ULIMO split in 1994 and you stayed on with ULIMO-K?

Wit: Yes.

Def: The “K” is for Alhaji Kromah?

Wit: Yes.

Def: G.V. Alhaji Kromah.  The V in his name is for Varmuyan, a Mandingo name?

Wit: Yes.

Def: And you’re a Mandingo?

Wit: Yes.

Def: And Varmuyan Sherif is also Mandingo?

Wit: Yes.

Def: And his brother is known to you?

Wit: No.

Def: You deny knowing any brother of Varmuyan Sherif who fought in ULIMO?

Wit: I deny it.

Def: You’re related to Varmuyan Sherif, aren’t you?

Wit: No.

Def: You said disarmament came in late 1996?

Wit: Yes.

Def: There were two previous transitional governments before that of Ruth Sando Perry – the first under Kpomankor?

Wit: Yes.

Def: In 1993, after the Cotonou accord, ULIMO agreed to a ceasefire, but it didn’t hold long?

Wit: Yes.

Def: You took up arms again for ULIMO?

Wit: Yes.

Def: The 1995 Abuja agreement led to another transitional government under Wilson Sankowulo?

Wit: Yes.

Def: The cease-fire didn’t hold and you again fought for ULIMO?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Then there were elections in 1997.  On direct examination, you were asked whether you supported Alhaji Kromah and you said no.  You were mistaken or lying, true?

Wit: I never supported any campaign for Alhaji Kromah.

Def: (Referring to a document)  This is a transcribed statement the witness gave to the prosecution in June 30, 2003.  You met with Corinne Dufka of the OTP.  You were asked if you were asked in supporting Kromah’s party.  You said you were part of the party, but during the campaign they used your car. 

Wit: It’s not true.

Def: You were not a member of Kromah’s party, is that your testimony?

Wit: Yes.

Def: Taylor was one of Kromah’s opponents, as was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf?

Wit: Yes.

Def: After Taylor won, Alhaji Kromah left for Guinea?

Wit: Yes.

Def: You wanted to go to Guinea too, but lacked the funds?

Wit: No.

Judge Doherty interrupts to say that the session has ended.  Court will adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9:30.  Our account will continue at 10:00 (9:00 in Sierra Leone and Liberia).