The Wednesday, November 13, 2002 Edition of the Perspective Magazine reported that a group calling itself the Committee for the Merger of Liberian Political Parties (CMPP) met in Philadelphia on November 10, 2002 and called for a united front against Mr. Taylor during the 2003 general and presidential elections in Liberia.

While the idea of a united front against President Taylor may be viable option within the current political environment, I regret to state that the composition of the CMPP gives more cause for concern than hope for Liberia's future.

First, the group is made up of people who are directly responsible for the degradation of Liberia. For example, Alhaji V.G. Kromah, the spokesman for the group, could be a potential candidate for war crimes for the atrocities ULIMO-K's forces committed under his direct command during the civil war. How could he be chosen to be part of the group that wants to help bring democracy to Liberia?

Second, Mr. Harry Moniba and Mr. Chea Cheapo participated in the repressive Samuel Doe's regime at the highest level. Most importantly, Mr. Harry Moniba and General Doe rigged the 1985 general and presidential elections in Liberia. If Mr. Moniba and General Doe had not stolen the 1985 elections, perhaps we may not have had Mr. Charles Taylor as President of Liberia.

Third, the political parties that these people represent, Harry Moniba, the Liberian National Union Party; Chea Cheapo, the Progressive Peoples' Party; George Toe Washington, People's Democratic Party of Liberia; and Sahr Gbolie, the Free Democratic Party are all "garage political" parties. The memberships of these parties are so small that they could fit in one family sized parking garage. The intent of these men is to secure a political future for themselves by calling for a merger of political parties. The fact is that they have no real constituencies in Liberia. Evidence of that is the result of the 1997 general and presidential elections in Liberia.

Moreover, Harry Moniba, Chea Cheapo and Alhaji Kromah are relic of the past. Plus, they are partly responsible for the state of affairs in Liberia today. Therefore, the Liberian people need to look to the future by calling for political parties/ organizations whose leaderships comprise a new generation of Liberians to join forces and move Liberia forward.