The Press Secretary to Liberia's President Charles Taylor told allAfrica.com, Wednesday, that Taylor wants a firm commitment to "a constitutional transition" before stepping aside. Taylor was still willing to step down "if that will lead to peace," said Sylvester Vaani Passawe; "the question is what happens to the democratic mandate of the Liberian people."
| We'll find out when they stop cutting each other's arms off... |
Passawe, who said he was talking to allAfrica "with President Taylor's voice," called the conflict in Liberia, "a proxy war." Claiming to have "direct evidence," he accused the United States of backing the Liberian rebels. Pressed on the point, Passawe said aid money given to neighboring Guinea by the United States was being used by Lurd rebels to lease armaments with U.S. knowledge. AllAfrica has not been able to confirm this independently. What is going on in Liberia "is not a matter of bad governance," said Passawe, "but a policy of 'regime change' in the form of a proxy war."
| It's a regime that needs changing... |
He insisted that Liberia's current government was legitimately elected and that if Taylor stepped down, the only way to assure peace would be for Liberia's vice president, Moses Blah, to take over as provided for by the constitution.
| But there's a hitch to that... |
Last month Taylor said his government had foiled a coup attempt sponsored by foreign powers and linked Blah to the conspiracy. The vice-president, a long time crony associate of Taylor dating back to his rebellion, was picked up by security agents and locked up.
| Whoops. Better dust 'im off... |
At the time Taylor said: "Contacts were made by certain embassies near the capital to senior armed forces of Liberia personnel. Some succumbed, but the coup effort ended in failure. The attempt was foiled because the generals of the army refused. As a result, we have received and we have accepted the resignation of the vice president. And I'm sure he'll have an apology for the Liberian people."
| So there is no vice president. Chuck is filling the slot himself. That way, he can step down as president and assume the office as vice president... I love high politix! |
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