The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted June 3, 2004

The Government of the People’s Republic of China has brought in a consignment of office and medical equipment as well as other logistical supplies valued at US$1.2 million as a goodwill gesture towards the people of Liberia and a boost to the operation of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL).

According to the charges d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, He Meng, the consignment which is presently at the Freeport of Monrovia includes among other things 50 motor-bikes for the Liberia National Police, 150 walkie talkie handsets, and 80 motorcycles for the Ministry of Health.

The Chinese embassy official said this initial assistance is based on an inter-governmental agreement and that the clearing of the consignment is currently being handled by the Liberian Government to be formally turned over to the respective government entities.

At the same time, it has been disclosed that 20 Chinese police officers have arrived in the country via the Robert International Airport to join the UNMIL civilian police, bringing the total Chinese police officers in the international force to 25 including two females. According to information, 15 more police officers are expected shortly to make up the Chinese personnel contribution to forty in the UNMIL CIVPOL.

Meanwhile, with the level of support being given to the government and people of Liberia, political pundits yesterday expressed shock and dismay over recent insinuation in the local media attributed to Mr. Cletus A. Sieh, Secretary General of LUP, against Chinese Ambassador Lin Songtian’s assertion that certain Liberian presidential hopefuls were requesting his government to finance their campaign in the up-coming presidential elections.

They said it was unfriendly for Mr. Sieh without investigating to outrightly describe Ambassador Songtian’s statement as undiplomatic and disgraceful to the Liberian politicians, and said Mr. Sieh’s reaction was made in an angry mood.

“They statement of Ambassador Songtian was emphatic when he spoke of the Chinese Government principles and warned about the Taiwanese “dollar diplomacy”, hoping that every government including the prospective elected government to be mindful.

In Ambassador Songtian’s statement, he said among other things, “China has not yet realized a complete reunification; there still exists some space for the “Dollar Diplomacy” conducted secretly by Taiwan authorities in Liberia; so as to seek any chance to undermine the smooth development of friendly cooperative relations between China and Liberia.

Additionally, the statement said, “in recent years, in order to achieve its aims of splitting China and “independence of Taiwan”, the Taiwan authorities made use of some countries’ turmoil in political situation and temporary difficulties in economy, through “Dollar Diplomacy” and other means secretly or openly; did secret business with some politicians, especially presidential candidates by providing campaign funds, expecting to establish or maintain so called “diplomatic relations” when they come into power.

“The Taiwan authorities had managed many years in Liberia, the statement .added and continued, “it is known that the Taiwan authorities still have some underground information channels and brokers even now. They would make use of next year’s general elections in Liberia, by providing campaign funds and personal benefits through so called “Dollar Diplomacy”, to support those who need campaign money in Liberia to set new obstacles and make new troubles in the development of Sino-Liberia relations.