Sierra Leonean rebel forces captured arms and ammunition from enemy forces and also purchased some from Guinean soldiers, a defense witness for Charles Taylor told Special Court for Sierra Leone judges today in The Hague. The witness also denied prosecution allegations that Mr. Taylor supplied Sierra Leonean rebels with weapons during the country’s brutal 11-year conflict.
A Liberian national, who in his testimony last week said he was a member of the Sierra Leonean rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF), today explaining that whenever the RUF captured positions occupied by forces loyal to government of Sierra Leone, they obtained arms and ammunition from the enemy forces. He also explained how the RUF bought arms and ammunition from Guinean soldiers across the Sierra Leonean border with Guinea.
Prosecutors have alleged that Mr. Taylor provided arms and ammunition to RUF rebels in Sierra Leone, which were used to launch attacks and commit atrocities against civilians. Mr. Taylor has denied these allegations, insisting that his country did not have arms and ammunition to fight rebel forces in Liberia, so he could not have provided any to the RUF.
The witness’s testimony today reiterated the information contained in the 1999 Salute Report prepared by RUF commander, Sam Bockarie, for his leader Foday Sankoh upon his release from jail. In this report, Mr. Bockarie explained how the RUF was run as an organization during Mr. Sankoh’s incarceration. Mr. Bockarie reported that arms and ammunition were captured from enemy forces while some were also bought from Guinean Soldiers. The report did not state anything about the RUF receiving arms and ammunition from Mr. Taylor.
Also in The Hague today, newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Brenda Hollis, spoke with the press and denied suggestions that the United States and Great Britain had influenced Mr. Taylor’s trial. Mr. Taylor and his defense counsel Courtenay Griffiths have consistently said that Mr. Taylor’s trial is a result of a conspiracy by Western countries led by the US and the UK. Ms. Hollis today said that Mr. Taylor is on trial because the government of Sierra Leone requested the UN to set up a Special Court for Sierra Leone that would try those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Sierra Leone from 1996 to 2002. She added that she is leading an independent team of prosecutors that does not take instructions from anybody. In response to concerns that the position of Chief Prosecutor of the court has been occupied mainly by Americans, Ms. Hollis responded that Desmond da Silva, a British national, and Joseph Kamara, a Sierra Leonean national, have previously held the same position.
Mr. Taylor’s trial continues tomorrow.
Tracey,
This is for you.
Like I told you and everybody: these people will ba victim of their own acrostic trap one day.
Ellen again thinks she can continue to play games with us. However, when it came to Taylor, in a split nano second, she sent Liberia’s beloved president over to the SCSL without the approval of the Liberian people through their congress. But you know what? I will stop here for now and I will give my reason later.
This is must read as it relates to the Liberia TRC.
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=10687&z=3
Hi Jose — alas the link does not seem to work for me — but are you referring to the article titled “Sirleaf Set to Implement TRC Report Half-Way, Says Criminal Aspect Needs Scrutiny”? If so, it seems interesting – my understanding is that she is willing to implement the aspects of the TRC report that do not have legal aspects, and that she is asking the Law Reform Commission and the Justice Ministry to further consider those recommendations which do have legal aspects, and to give particular attention to “the establishment of extraordinary court, the palaver hut mechanism and other criminal and public sanction recommended in the report.” Is that your understanding too? If so, perhaps it may be a few more weeks/months before we get a full sense of what the government is thinking about a war crimes court?
Best,
Tracey
Tracyberia, , if thereis a war crimes court established in Liberia, the process will not be fair. The reason is that, President her supported the NPFL war in Liberia, Besides, she have been involved with every unrest in since 1979 to today. I mean every single one of themand she wouldn’t be one of those to face the War crimes court in Liberia then there shouldn’t be any.
Jocone — that is an interesting view. I thought the proposal (from memory) was to have a hybrid court like the Special Court for Sierra Leone (which would have both international and Liberian staff and judges). My hope is that this court would have an independent prosecutor who would be able to decide who to prosecute and would not be bound by those singled out in the TRC report but would conduct his or her own investigations to determine who should be brought before the court. Do you think that structure would be unfair?
Also, I have still to answer your comment about the ICC and SCSL — can I do that when I get home later this evening?
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
This is for you.
Like I told you and everybody: these people will ba victim of their own acrostic trap one day.
Ellen again thinks she can continue to play games with us. However, when it came to Taylor, in a split nano second, she sent Liberia’s beloved president over to the SCSL without the approval of the Liberian people through their congress. But you know what? I will stop here for now and I will give my reason later.
This is must read as it relates to the Liberia TRC.
This is a copy and past of what I previously wrote and could not have been accessed by Tracey and others. Hopefully, this time it will work.
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=10687&z=2
There is nothing new that this witness has said so far. We all know how weapons were obtained by the RUF, but the prosecution has always said Mr. Taylor had a factory in Liberia that made and supplied weapons to the rebel RUF in exchange for diamonds which they are yet to prove in this court. As for Ms. Hollis, we don’t expect her to say more than what she had said because she can not afford to bite the fingers that put food into her mouth. Why no one else, but Americans, British, and Sierra Leonean national? These are the three countries that accused Mr. Taylor and at the time head the Special Court. One thing they all fail to know is that God is greater than all. God willing Mr. Taylor will over this western evil.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Ms Hollis said” Desmond da Silva, a British national, and Joseph Kamara, a Sierra Leonean national, have previously held the same position ” My question to her is, when did they held such position ? Was it during the indictment period or the prosecutorial period? I guess NONE!!! Those guys very temporarily held that position after David Crane couldn’t find witnesses to testify after unsealing the indictment. As American Lawyers, they all knew bribing is unethical in America and almost 90% of the witnesses had to be bribe in disguised, under the pretext of token fees for logistic, Medical, lost wages etc, on the contrary, No defense witness(es) so far has had such luck! NONE. They temporarily place these guys there to do the dirty work, Bribing!
Almost all the witnesses were bribe and it’s a fact. Eg. At the beginning of one of the prosecutor many witnesses, the witness said he was unemployed, but later he forgot that he told Griffin of his unemployment and tried to justify the U S $$$ as lost wages, Hahahahah.
Gentlemen/Ladies, tell me, this is a S.Leonean court, Okay!! they said special court, but whatever way people term it, It’s about SL. So, why S. Leoneans are not taking the lead? So, NO S Leonean is capable of taking the lead? Alpha, where are you? Your resume is impressive enough, why NOT you? What’s so extra about Ms Hollis resume that NO S Leonean locally or international like Alpha couldn’t match? Sorry Alpha, I m not trying to polish this commit by bring you in, but let us logicalzed this issue regardless of which side you’re on. Maybe Alpha is not a trial lawyer, but there should be someone in or out of SL that could’ve taking this job, if not!! Then the revolution was justify but not the brutalities or carnage.
I m not trying to call No Big power name here, but it’s obvious, No where a company will keep a procurement officer or purchasing personnel who goes about buying with-out justifying or detailing his or her purchases. Why will the prosecution paid to transport a single witness for an amount 30 times the regular fare in a passenger vehicle? If all the extra cash is not call bribery, then I must be smoking something very very strong, maybe I m!!!
Grebo — Desmond de Silva held the position of Chief Prosecutor between May 2005 and June 2006. Stephen Rapp was the prosecutor between December 2006 to September 2009. Joseph Kamara held the position between September 2009 and February 2010.
On the witness issue, I hope to post sometime in the coming weeks about what is and is not allowed as payments for witnesses as the Special Court has guidelines for witnesses who testified in Freetown and those in The Hague.
Best,
Tracey
Hi Tracey,
Where are Desmond de Silva, Stephen Rapp, Joseph Kamara and Brenda Hollis from?
That does explain the conspiracy theory.
Hi Tracey,
Could you please tell me which country Desmond de Silva, Stephen Rapp, Joseph Kamara and Brenda Hollis from?
Thanks.
Big B,
Desmond de Silva is a British national, but you might be interested in his biography — he has been a member of the Sierra Leonean bar association since 1969 when he arrived in Freetown to appear as defence counsel in Sierra Leone’s first treason trial. you can find out more about his biography here: http://www.sc-sl.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ZCX1Th%2b3pZs%3d&tabid=112.
Both Stephen Rapp and Brenda Hollis are from the US. Joseph Kamara is Sierra Leonean.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
Sierra Leone is part of the COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS…meaning COLONIZED COUNTRIES of British are in a pact. From my understanding, citizens of any of those countries could ENTER without VISA and WORK within as a CITIZEN.
Noko4,
Wow!!!
This without visa thing sounds enticing…is it still going on, Noko?
Peace.
Tracey Gurd,
Could you please ask Ms. Hollis which country president asked President Taylor to leave the office for which he was elected and go into exile in Nigeria? Could you also ask her why President Bush said he was not meeting President Obasanjo until he Obasanjo turn Taylor over? Don’t forget to mention about the ultimatum that Bush gave a sovereign country elected president to relinguish power and trade in power with being a total stranger in foreign land. Is it possible that you ask her, why the indictment was given to the U.S Government about three months prior to being announced to the world? Certainly , can you also ask her which country Congress David Crane addressed and unsealed the indictment of this innocent man? Can you also ask her which country is the largest donor to this court? Lastly, which country Mr. Alan White prevailed upon to take charge in bringing Taylor to justice for Sierra Leone and went furthered by saying Taylor had link with Al Qaida as a means for America to get him?
Tracey, God can not sleep. When Bush and America were doing all these things to Liberia and this innocent man, they were very proud to make public service announcement. Now the dust has settled down temporarily, they don’t want to own and man up to their own creative control. Sorry Ms. Hollis, America fingerprints are all over on this case. Say the truth ma’am, and the truth shall set you free.
Folks, it wouldn’t be too long before somebody somewhere calls it a day. GO HOME MR. TAYLOR, THERE IS NO CASE AGAINST YOU IN SIERRA LEONE.
Hi Jose — I am so sorry I had misplaced this comment of yours – I am not sure how that happened. We hope to ask the prosecutor’s office if they will be willing to do another interview with us sometime during the remainder of the trial, and if Ms. Hollis or someone from her office is willing to speak with us, perhaps you can suggest those questions to ask her then?
Best,
Tracey
A point of correction here Tracey. Mr Kamara never actually held the position but was put there in acting capacity until Ms Hollis became the latest chief prosecutor. The excuse or explanation from Ms Hollis does not even hold as we are yet to determine the difference between Britain and the U.S. . Remember I posed this same concern some time ago.
This court is yet to determine its neutrality.
Rgk007 — thank you — you are absolutely correct and I am glad you pointed this out. You are right: Joseph Kamara was acting prosecutor, and he was not appointed the official position of Chief Prosecutor.
Best,
Tracey
Trace, I haven’t seen my post that I submitted in reference to Ms.Hollis. Is there a problem?
Hi Jose — I have posted all the posts I have received from you — except for the ones which I explained why I could not. Would you mind resubmitting it?
Best,
Tracey
J fallah Menjor, Ziggy Silas, Noko 7 et al,
You are now starting to see the strong evidence this witness is bringing forth to support the defense claims that Charles Taylor was not involved with the RUF.
Brenda Hollis is Lying through her teeth. Everyone knows this, but, as usual, they will all pretend to the contrary that she is being honest. . Ant this, too, will pass because memories are short.
Why not own up to it Ms Hollis? So what if the Western Powers want Taylor Prosecuted? Isnlt it all for the greater good? Don’t you believe in your own Moral foundation for prosecuting this case.? Hmmm, Maybe it is tainted?
Your statment cast doubts on your veracity Ms Hollis. You slip is showing.
Anxiety of the International community, human rights organizations, and international influrenial individuals to set a high power precedent by prematurally and selectively charging Mr. Taylor for war crimes not in his country where they stood to make a legitimate case but Sierra Leone where the outreach of Taylor is as invisible as the hand of God has turned the entire concept of the international court as a mockery of justice. This is why countries like the United States, Great Britian, France, China, etc have all refused to be parties to this gross mockery of judicial process as it is expected to be practised.
I still maintained that the finance for this trial should have gone to the reconstruction of the Republic of Sierra Leone and in helping the people of that country rebuild their lives; this will also help the people of that great country put the events of the war behind them and move on.
Folks,
In principles I acquiesce with aspects of this witness’ testimony that “whenever the RUF captured positions occupied by forces loyal to government of Sierra Leone, they obtained arms and ammunition from the enemy forces.” From what I have heard, read, and watched ( I am here referring to all the video coverages on the Liberian civil war by different sources that are sold on the market for public consumption) this is a means of supply in an insurrection as seen in other conflicts.
however, there is this thing call “supply line” in a militaristic situation which is the primary means of replenishing ammo and weaponry. It is also important logistically and tactically to the progress of insurrection. And this “supply line” or life line, if you will, is usually connected, I suppose, to another country. Let me pull a few paradigms specific to our context. For instance, Cote D’Ivoire served as inlet, the life line, the corridor, the back up and supply line ( now, we can argue this all we want but CT and his group did not fall from the sky into Liberia) in many ways to fuel the NPFL war machinery as Guinea was for LURD ( and we can counter argue all we want but Conneh and his group did not fall from the sky into Liberia). So it seem logically to infer that the RUF did use a “supply line” as well to prosecute its war in Sierra Leone…and that line could be one of its neighbors – Liberia or Guinea but most likely Liberia. If Liberia, what knowledge of this did CT had? Little? None? Absolutely none??? Full knowledge??? Well, we wait and see as the trial unfolds…
Vicious cycle…Cote D’Ivoire and MANO River countries messing up one another and what do we have today – except for Guinea? Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone went down the drain…thanks to supply line.
Peace.
Jose, Helen, Harris Johnson, noko4, noko5 and others true Justice members; the witness seems to be a prosecution witness on the defence team have pretty much the prosection case at a stand still since he had pretty much told the court how he got recruited and taken for training and taken to Sierra Leone to fight. now, many of the prosecution supporters who were thaniking or saying that this witness was testifying against or seem to be testifying against mr. Taylor, what do they have to say now? This is what the SALUTE report written to Sankor by Sam Backorie said. That they the RUF forces got wepons and its like from other forces along the Borders of Sierra Leone. So what does Fallah and anti Justice members or supports have to say now? Well, I know what they have to say, that is, the witness is lying!!!!!!! But the good thing about this is that, the witness is not saying that someone told him instead, he is saying what he was involved with in the RUF. We look forward to more to come,,, I hope the defence can have over 300 witnesses to testify against the prosecution case, that will be wonderful!!!!! Peace to Ghankay and power to the people of Africa!!!!!!!!!!
Jocone,
He’s that laugh last, laughs the best. I told everyone on this site that this witness is cleverly destoryiong the thousands lies that prosecution witnesses have told against Mr. Taylor. I’m sure Fallah and the few anti taylor will now think better as these part takers defense witnesses educate the world about what when wrong in Sierra Leone. Watch out for the next bomb shall.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Jocone,
Right on brother. The truth can never hide. Now ms. Hollis is saying something totally different from what Bush and America did to Liberia and this innocent man.
Why is she LIEING??? The Sierra Leone people nor her gov’t DID NOT request such….Britain was the MAIN FORCE behind the setting of this court. The US joined in as always…
The WHOLE WORLD is seeing the game and wondering WHY??? Again, if this was in a WESTERN COURT, by now, it’s out the windows plus door.
Tracey, when are we to see the REPORT from the legal team??
Hi Noko4 — do you mean the report from the Berkeley team? I’m not sure but I’ll tell you as soon as I know.
Best,
Tracey
Yes Tracey.
And why we were NOT allow to comment on Perry Mason’s answer like we did with Mr. Rapp?
Hi Noko4 — I’m not sure what you mean. You are welcome to comment on Mr. Griffith’s answers to questions (I am assuming you mean for hte interview that was posted today?) — in fact, I would be delighted to hear what you think of his answers.
Best,
Tracey
Hi Noko4 — I see what you mean. Actually it seems to be a problem with Explorer, where comments are not allowed. But with Firefox, it is possible to submit a comment, which other readers have. Perhaps I can try to repost and see if I can fix the technical glitch.
Best,
Tracey
Hi Noko4 — it should be fixed now. There was a technical problem.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey, Alpha, and team:
How is it going?
You are posting the daily transcripts of the trial at a slower pace than in the past.
Glitch problem?
Hope and pray all is well with you folks who are doing an excellent job of giving us assess to the trial.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Hi Davenport.Noko7 — yes, I am sorry that the reports are sometimes posted later. Unfortunately between mine and Alpha’s schedules, it is not always possible to post the daily updates as early as we’d like, but we try to get them up as soon as humanly possible. Thanks for your ongoing patience — I am glad that people want to see the updates!
Best,
Tracey
Okay with me, Tracey.
Peace.
Hey Tracy, Just to add on to what I have said earlier about the current president of Liberia; in July of 1990, she had an interview on BBC focus on Africa in which she order Mr. Taylor and the NPFL to level Monrovia and only leave the Mansion standing and they were going rebuilt Liberia. In that light, she must have been the over all commander for Mr. Taylor and the NPFL inorder to give such an order.
But in the TRC report, her name wasn’t mention for prosecution but others people names were listed for prosecution. She is a founding member of the NPFL before the failed coup on November 12, 1985 Even LURD, she was involve with that rebel group to remove Taylor from power. I used to hate Taylor with passion but his trial have given me a change of mind and I thank God that I never got involve with any fighting groups to fight against Mr. Taylor because I could have felt so stupid by now! What the international community doesn’t understand is that, this trial is causing so many african including Liberians to see Taylor as an hero.
Jocone — interesting perspective. Do other readers think along similar lines?
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
Yes, I’m in support of what Jocone is saying about the TRC report. There is no other way that anyone who knows Liberian History would have put it.
Harris K Johnson
That’s interesting, Harris. Thanks.
Best,
Tracey
Does anybody feel inspired to launch the conversation on current president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf? I do not know much about this lady and am educating myself by reading the TRC report…and the report is bulky.
Jocone, could you get the ball rolling with momentum…I think we might find this conversation lively and cordial.
Peace.
Davenport.Noko7 — I second that request!
My only ask is that we try to keep it focused as much as possible to issues related to the Taylor trial — but this could include efforts around Liberia’s reconstruction, particularly regarding the rule of law, efforts like the TRC report and the mechanisms the report suggests. I would be most interested to hear people’s opinions also.
Best,
Tracey
Jocone,
Although this might constitute a slight drift from the norm as, I might consider speaking to the matter you raised about current president EJS but first a few questions or a few house matter: your comments began with a strange word “Tracyberia.” What is “Tracyberia”? Is this intentional or jovial? Is this a new word you coined?
You seem to have coined a word from the feminine name Tracey and the last two syllabi from the word Liberia. If so, you are not being fair to our moderator, Tracey. Respect please.
Peace.
Davenport.noko7,
It wasn’t intentional; however, I raised an issue concerning the establishment of a war crimes court in Liberia base on the TRC report and I am sure Tracey pretty much knew what I meant. So what is your take on the Issue I raised about Liberia having a war crimes court. I don’t think Tracey felt in any way that I am or was trying to disrepect her in any form or faction. This is what many of you do, that is, creating conflict as you are trying to do here. I think you should speak on the issue raised by me instead of you trying to start a conflict in this professional conversation we are having here and I will highly appreciate it if you’ll stop such an attitude!
Best,
Jocone
Hi Davenport.Noko7 and Jocone,
Davenport.Noko7 – I do appreciate your efforts to try to ensure respect for my name and your desire generally to make this space a respectful forum.
Jocone — I did indeed think that it was simply a typo error — easy to do with the slip of a wrong key which can delete letters or words unintentionally. I did not think you were trying to disrespect me, but thank you for clarifying.
I think the substantive issue here is very interesting: that is, people’s take on the proposed Liberian war crimes court and whether or not people feel it could be fair and independent — and if not, what form it would need to take in order to be fair and independent.
Best,
Tracey
Jocone,
I will soon speak to the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf issue that you raised and that Tracey wants us to comment on. In the meantime, thanks for the clarification.
Peace.
Tracey,
No problem!
Peace.
Tracy, do your have any informations as to when DCT 25 will be taking the witness for his cross examination by the prosecution? It’s seems as if the prosecution is finding it difficult to keep up with the cross examination of the defense witnesses; what problem would that pose for the defense to call more of it witnesses?
Hi Jocone – alas I don’t have more information about when DCT-125 will be back on the stand. I will check with Alpha tomorrow to see if he knows more.
Best,
Tracey
Hey Tracy, I meant witness DCT 125.
I’m sorry for that!
No need to be sorry, Jocone — I knew who you meant.
Best,
Tracey
Davenport.noko7
I tend to agree with every logical scenario you just put forth. It would be very stupid and very foolish for a rebel army to take on a government just by depending on the enemy supplies. It was Prince Johnson that started this lie during the Liberian conflict in 1990. This has become the major anthem for all rebel groups whenever they are quizzed about how they obtain supplies both in Liberia and Sierra Leonean. LURD did say the same thing and we knew they were receiving supplies from Guinea, NPFL received supplies from Ivory Coast, Taylor admitted that he was supplied through Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and received military training from Libya.
In most cases during my conversation with both rebels and soldiers, when the commanding officers order an retreat they take away all their weaponry and destroyed what they are not able to take along. What about other forms of logistics like food, fuel, medications? I guess that is looted from civilians.
I don’t think the judges will buy that.
Justice LIB,
Well, brother, you are welcome. I am just putting 2 and 2 together to get 4.
Peace.
Tracey, Alpha, and team,
I read the comments of Hishighnessjake ( cf March 17, 2010 at 2:47 pm) and have a few questions. Todate, what has it cost the international community to fund this particular trial – CT trial? Yearly budget for this court? Is the cost historically commensurate with costs of other war crimes trials – World World II, Balkans, Rhwandans’ trial?
Please do not answer if confidentiality is at stake or if these questions transcend your scope of information sharing.
I am just curious.
Peace.
Hi Davenport.Noko7 — I’m not sure of the total budget that has been spent on the Special Court to date, but from its annual report last year, the budget for 2009 amounted to US$27,974,100, and for 2010 to US$12,710,500. The decrease in budget represents the winding down of the court as it prepares to shut down its Freetown operations and focuses on completing the Taylor trial. I will see if I can find out a total amount. My understanding is that the SCSL does not break the amounts down by trial, so I don’t think that figure is available, but I can check.
It is hard to compare the costs of the SCSL with other tribunals because they deal with different numbers of cases and different logistical challenges and operating expenses, but just in terms of sheer figures: the ICTY’s budget for 2008-2009 was $376,232,900 and the ICTR’s budget for 2008-2009 was $267,356,200.
Best,
Tracey
Thanks, Tracey.
Wow!
That’s a lot of bucks…
Peace.