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Reflecting
On Clinton's African Safari
Jan/Mar '98 Issue
LDF's
Response To Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Liberian
Civil Conflict
Liberia's Ugly
Past
The Liberian Government
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Reflecting
On Clinton's Africa Safari
Today, probably Clinton's recent African safari has faded from
the memories of many. Some of us have even forgotten why Clinton
made this safari. Clinton stated, in his own words, that America
is seeking a new friendship and partnership with an Africa that
is committed to democracy and economic development. And, he said,
he was visiting Africa in order that the American people may
see Africans with new eyes.
Healing Wounds By
Confronting The Nation's Past
"The war is over, but the battle is not yet won" is
a common military maxim often used to describe how military solutions
by themselves are not adequate means of resolving issues of great
national concern.
Reconciliation:
A Call For Justice
Not since the Fall of 1995, when the world community commemorated
the 50th anniversary of the start of the Nuremberg war crimes
trial, have we seen an unprecedented interest in the age-old
debate of war crimes and justice. In the past few months, we
had heard a cacophony of views about bringing the malefactors
of war to justice, so they can account for their actions against
humanity.
The Chicago Conference
On Reconciliation: Public Relations Ploy or Reality?
Few weeks ago, when The National Rainbow PUSH Coalition shrewdly
decided to host a covert conference on reconciliation in Chicago,
many Liberians embraced the idea. The called meeting, however,
did not invite the hundreds of thousands of Liberians living
in the United States. A select few were chosen by the National
Rainbow Coalition.
THE LOST OF A
FUTURE GENERATION
While Liberians in America are waiting for someone else to "fix
Liberia" so we can all go home to get our assignments with
the government, have Liberian parents in this nation asked themselves
or thought about what's going on in the lives of their off-springs?
The Country
And Congo Palaver:
Who's The Problem?
Since, in fact, this was a direct request by the editors of The
Perspective Magazine that I write this article in response to
President Charles Taylor's threat to ban the use of the term
"country" and its antithesis "Congo", I must
necessarily begin the piece exactly in a way that confirms the
utility of these terms; not, however, with a view to derogate
any group, but to show that perceiving tribal designations as
the problem and thus banning these cultural identities is simply
a brand of arrogance which borders on stupidity.
CHALLENGES OF
THE MILLENNIUM
With the 20th century drawing to a close, and barely few years
left before a new millennium is ushered in, it is befitting to
examine the challenges that lies ahead of Liberia, a country
emerging from the ashes of a bruising civil war. An examination
is appropriate in light of its independence anniversary and sesquicentennial
celebration - the country turns 151 on July 26 - and is preparing
for a national summit conference on its future of Liberia planned
for July 24 -31.
Ambassador
Diggs Meets Liberians Of Metro Atlanta
For months, the Liberian Community Association of Georgia has
been ignored and neglected by Liberian officials visiting metro
Atlanta. But things changed during the past few months when Mr.
Blamoh Nelson, Director General of the Cabinet, became the first
Liberian official to formally meet with members of the community.
It appears that the new effort is the result of the "public
relations blitz" rolled-out by the Taylor government at
the beginning of the year.
Lest We Forget: Trial
Of The Century
Imagine what would happen if the dead could speak! The thousands
of Liberians killed during the Liberian Civil War would put on
a defence against those whose orders, and through whose hands
they died. It would become another trial of the century, only
second to the O. J. Simpson Trial.
Liberia's
Ugly Past: Re-writing Liberian History
In a One - two punch, President Taylor tried to rewrite and re-invent
Liberian history by making preposterous, ill-conceived remarks
about citizenship and ethnicity. Many consider such pronouncements
as a strategy by a leader trying to deflect responsibility to
the desperate need for solutions to a dire web of complicated
issues most of which is the result of his actions.
Issues In Perspective
When one criticizes the Taylor administration for many of its
undemocratic actions, some Taylor's loyalists contend that his
government is legitimate. But legitimacy is not our problem in
Liberia. Every advocate of democracy recognizes the legitimacy
of the government but questions its disregard for citizens' right.
Reminding his critics that Taylor was elected democratically
is irrelevant at this point.