LURD's Appointee Says No Thanks
(Kesselly's Letter to LURD)
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
Fellow Compatriots
I sent out this letter yesterday on an unsigned communication which was brought to my attention by a friend. At this point I am still not sure that the letter is genuine. If it is, then my letter stands. If it was one of those stunts intended to silence a very vocal person like Anthony Kesselly, I retract it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My attention has been drawn to the below communication purported to have originated from the "National Chairman/Commander-in-Chief/LURD-H.E. Sekou Damate Conneh, Jr."
While I may have my own very strong opinions about the inner workings of the armed group that has become known as the Liberians United for Reconstruction and Democracy, as with other armed factions that have preceded it, I do not want to delve into that at this point. What baffles me is the act of arbitrarily announcing my name for a position for which I was neither, consulted, informed, or even hinted. I view this act therefore as one that borders on the lack of good-faith and laden with some hidden motives.
It must be borne in mind that some of us are not squatting here in the Diaspora only waiting to be ordered to take up some position for the purpose of self-aggrandizement. Our decision to accept offers to serve will have to be based on courtesy and respect as well as our conviction that our service will be nationally meaningful. I do not at this time see this surprising appointment as meeting any of those requirements, hence, I will advice that my name be struck off this list.
If the act was based on any iota of genuine belief in my capacity and commitment to serve my country, I wish to thank those who gave such consideration. It is unfortunate that I cannot at this time accept the method of the appointment and that I equally do not think the time and vehicle are propitious for me to oblige.
Thank you and my best wishes.
Anthony V. Kesselly
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
