August 5, 2004

The head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Amb. Jacques Paul Klein says UNMIL is not responsible to provide electricity to the city of Monrovia and its environs.

Amb. Klein’s latest comment is in sharp contradiction to an earlier statement attributed to him about ensuring that the city of Monrovia and its environs get electrified by UNMIL.

During UNMIL’s regular weekly press briefing yesterday at its headquarters in Congo Town, Amb. Klein disclosed that though the United Nations has planted over 200 light poles with bulbs in Monrovia and its environs, UNMIL is not responsible for electricity.

According to him, the European Union is responsible for providing electricity and not UNMIL. He stated that some money that was given for fuel has disappeared, "EU can justify, but I can’t explain because I don’t know", he added.

Among other things, he then called on officials of the transitional government to unite and work together for the common interest of the Liberian people so that donor countries will see reasons to assist the country and its people.

Addressing the issues about the warring factions, Amb. Klein explained that the situation within the warring factions has been brought under control, as UNMIL’s force commander, Lt/Gen. Daniel Opande has already met with the parties from all sides of the various groups. He said UNMIL has informed the leaders on what they intend to do in order to maintain the security of the citizens.
Also briefing the press, Liberia National Police Director Clarence Massaquoi has disclosed that three of the four suspects arrested in connection to the death of the American national, John Auffery on May 24, 2004 at the Mamba Point Hotel, have been apprehended and charged with murder.

According to him, those charged with murder and are presently in detention are Charles Thomas, Mascara Konneh and James Williams, alias "Fugee", while Emmanuel Mulbah, alias Boye T. Moore" and Justin Korvah, a former ATU Strike Force officer who are still at large, have been charged in absentia. At the same time, two former police officers, Alphonso Williams, presently in detention and Kemoh Sesay at large, have also been charged with criminal facilitation and have since been dismissed.

The police boss further explained that the police is exerting every effort aimed at bringing the perpetrators at large to justice, and that properties that were retrieved from the suspects have been identified by victim Stacy Robin and the family of the late John Auffery. He said investigation findings are being appraised by legal practitioners at the Ministry of Justice for successful prosecution.