Lawyers presenting the legal interest of the Liberian government are expected to present in court today testimonies of its two witnesses who they (state lawyers) claimed were contacted by retired Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Colonel, Andrew Dorbor in the Ivory coast to purchase arms and military uniforms to overthrow the Ellen-led administration.

	• Andrew Dorbor

Recently in the ongoing treason trial involving retired AFL Gen. Charles Julu and Andrew Dorbor, state lawyers told court that two Ivorian security men agreed to testify against defendants Julu and Dorbor and said testimonies can only be done in the Ivory Coast.

The prosecution named the commander of the Ivorian Security Agency, Taipe Kassarate and his deputy Wright Duola Foss as the two witnesses who have testified in the Ivory Coast in the presence of one of the defense counsel, Atty. Lofen Keneah.

Government lawyers and those of the defense traveled to the Ivory Coast on the 3rd of April to document the testimonies of the two Ivorian security men and returned before the 11th April 2008. Accordingly, the Liberian government provided US$6,000 for the trip for both the state and defense lawyers including their feeding among others.

The testimonies or depositions of the witnesses were believed to have been written in the French language, and there are plans to have the document translated into the English.

When the prosecution appeared in court yesterday, it was established that the testimonies of the two Ivorian security men were at the Foreign Ministry going through translation exercise. As such, the prosecution could not proceed with the trial.

A motion of submission was filed by the prosecution, requesting the court under the mantle of Judge Peter Gbenewelleh to give it today, April 15, 2008 to present the testimonies to the court in the English version. The Judge granted the submission.

But Atty. Lofen Keneah who traveled to the Ivory Coast for the defense told the court that there was no testimony taken from the security men (Duola Foss, Kassarate).

He claimed that the only document that was presented to the prosecution in his presence (Atty. Keneah), was documents compiled by the Ivorian government from investigation conducted by its security involving defendant Andrew Dorbor.

He added that the document in the possession of the state lawyers is not the testimony of the two Ivorians but investigation conducted by the Ivorian security about suspect Dorbor.    

GEMAP Budget Expert Departs Liberia
By J. Nathaniel Daygbor

An international expert who has been working with the Bureau of the Budget for the Governance Economic Management Action Plan (GEMAP) has ended her tour of duty.

A program in honor of Madam Eileen Browne took place yesterday at the offices of the Bureau of the Budget with employees expressing appreciation for the services she provided.

Our reporter who covered the program said the atmosphere was characterized by cheer and jubilation while others showed signs of discomfort that she is leaving the country.

Madam Browne, an American citizen is returning home but it is not known whether she has been called to take up a new assignment.

Speaking during the program marking her departure on April 10, 2008, Budget Director Augustine Ngafuan said her time with the Budget Bureau was useful. According to him, Madam Browne provided guidance for every activity including budget preparation, budget analysis, amongst others.

He said that the departure of the GEMAP expert is big blow to the operation of the Budget Bureau, but expressed hope that her successor will be kind and motivated oriented person.

Also speaking, the honoree, Ms. Eileen Browne expressed thanks and appreciation to the Budget Bureau family for the level of corporation accorded her during her stay at the agency.

She said working with the Liberians is great and energizing because: “Liberians are willing to learn and will to learn from the short coming and make it real result.” She said while is true that she came as an expert, she also learned from the Liberian scenario a lot.

Ms. Browne also stated that political and economic settings of the country are gradually improving but noted that Liberians should show a sound of patience.