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Articles From The Jan/March Issue Of The Perspective
"Liberians Should Not Give Up" - Says
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
The July 19, 1997 Liberian election, during which she came in second
to former guerrilla leader Charles Taylor has made Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
a major player in the Liberian political theater. The editorial board of
The Perspective met with Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf recently in a suburb of Atlanta
for a wide ranging discussion of developments in Liberia. Below is the full
text of the interview.
Liberians Hold Protest Rally Against Human Rights
Abuses
On Friday, Feb 6, 1998, Liberians converged in Washington, DC, at the
premises of the Liberian Embassy, to hold a protest rally against the abuses
of human rights in Liberia. Liberians had come from various parts of this
country in response to a call from the Union of Liberian Associations in
the Americas (ULAA), to protest the widespread and continuous abuses of
human rights and civil liberties of the people of Liberia by the government
of Liberia.
A Need For A Fresh Start
For more than a year, The Perspective has underscored some of the causes
of the problems that ail Liberian society. Problems which culminated into
a violent eruption of a civil war in which we almost destroyed ourselves
as a nation by wrecking unnecessary atrocities upon the hapless civilian
population, killing more than 150,000 of our fellow citizens.
The Liberian Democratic Future Examines Current
Issues - A Commentary
In our determined efforts to provide you, our readers, with the most
reliable, up-to-date information on Liberia, The Liberian Democratic Future
shall from time to time look at issues of national importance through its
newsmagazine, The Perspective. This kind of commentary is designed to give
you informed analysis of the inner workings of the Taylor regime, the underlined
rationale which drives its decision-making process, and the political, economic
and security ramifications of government policies. This analysis is based
on reliable source information, which is not necessarily available in the
public domain, and as such, is not yet known to the general public.
Democratic Practices: A National Right Not A
President Gift
In the past 18 months, I have spent considerable time and energy to
highlight some of the problems that have bedeviled the Liberian nation,
and the nagging effects that manifest themselves in the relationship among
Liberians in the diaspora and at home. In doing so, I have learned that
we as Liberians are not prepared to accept the truth of our past. We would
rather forget those things which dichotomize us, preferring, instead, to
accentuate what others call the positive aspects of our interaction with
one another.
Issues In Perspective: Taylor's Administraton Launches
Public Relations Blitz
With public opinion on its political conduct and performance stack up
against the regime since it assumed the reins of power six months ago, the
Taylor administration in the past two months, it appears, has embarked upon
a well-conceived and orchestrated public relations strategy to not only
repair, but to also improve its image amongst the populace at home and the
international community abroad.
The Future Of Democracy And Multi-Party Politics
While in my study working on this article recently, I received a very
surprising call from a longtime friend whom I have not spoken to for quite
some time. Attempting to make up for lost time, we began our conversation
by getting to know each other again, talking about our respective families,
and how we were faring with life and work. Having discussed those personal
issues, we immediately jumped on to another subject that is a passion: politics
and the Liberian dilemma.
Blaming God For Our Actions
We live in an increasingly difficult and dangerous world. The anxieties
of life, political necessities, uncompromising efforts to find solutions,
and the failure to accept responsibility for our actions, have increased
the uncertainties of our time. In addition, violence -in every form - revolutions,
insurrections, armed rebellions, robbery, rape, etc., have all become features
of a world losing its sense of direction. What's happening to our society?
Where can we turn to for lasting peace and contentment?
Presidents' Birthdays As National Holidays?
My late father who could barely support his family on a meager monthly
government salary of $100.00 and some change per month as a County Commissioner
was furious on this day when the local disbursing officer in Sinoe County
handed him his check.
Debt and Adjustment in the Liberian Economy: Some
Policy Implications
As Liberia emerges from the ravages of war, her economy wobbles under
debt and monetary crises which threaten the country with further economic
uncertainty and poverty. The threat comes not only from the direct impact
of the crises but also from the policy options that are available for resolving
them.
Exodus, A Success Story
This success story began during the Summer of 1997. The group of 14
individuals that won the championship are mostly Liberians with one Mexican
American. We have been playing soccer at Winter Chapel Field in Doraville,
Georgia for the love of the sport.
Kenya: A Tale of Two Tragedies
Inside the East African Standard of December 15, 1997, there was a picture
of Wilmina Achieng being transported to hospital on a wheelbarrow. She looked
lifeless amid stares of bystanders whose faces betrayed their helplessness.
Achieng had been "brutalized," as the East African Standard put
it, by Danny Ndedah Ndembwa, her husband. The East African Standard narrated
the following story.