The Liberian government recently promised to launch a probe in order to get to the bottom of the series of scandalous emails linking former Presidential Affairs Minister, Willis Knuckles, and other public officials to the illegal solicitation of funds from corporate executives seeking to invest in Liberia’s post-war economy.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf

But that probe was hardly launched before it dawned on the Sirleaf administration that after all, there may be some truth to the emails.

While what to do with the new realization remains a headache for most administration insiders, President Sirleaf seems to believe that politics still has a role in the issue and she is calling attention to the probe and the due process of the law.

But observers say the President seems not to believe in her own counsel. How is that so?

The Analyst Staff Writer, reports.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the probe into Knucklesgate II will go ahead and admonished Liberians about condemning the accused before the probe is concluded or prosecution is ordered on the strength of evidence to be adduced.

“I think in all fairness to everybody concerned, everybody accused, we should let the investigation take its course, and let’s see what the results of the investigations show before we begin to pass judgment,” the President stressed.

But in the same breath, the President has defended the proscription of the provisional result of the bid for the Western Cluster Iron Ore Contract won by Delta Mining Consolidated before any probe is launched – prompting observers to wonder whether the President is not going back on her counsel that trial must precede guilt and sentencing.

The Liberian leader made these assertions during a press conference she hosted, Monday this week, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.

The President, who said she was deeply hurt and wounded at heart to see issues of corruption in government popping up in the media in spite of the efforts made and being made to control the vice, said she would regard the authentication of the link between Mr. Knuckles and the emails “a despicable act of betrayal”.

The President has, meanwhile over the weekend, set up an Ad Hoc Commission to get to the bottom of the streams of scandalous emails and compile a report for possible use as prima facie evidence in a subsequent criminal prosecution.

Dr. Elwood Dunn, a renowned Liberian academician, has been appointed to head the commission whose official mandate and scope of action, including legal and administrative, is yet to be made public – except that the Executive Mansion says it will ensure that the truth is revealed.

According to the President, the Liberia Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) has already investigated and submitted its findings in a report that would be forwarded to investigators.

She did not name the investigators, to whom the report will be submitted instead of the President’s Office or its designee, nor did she give details on the nature of the LISCR investigation, but analysts say they are likely to be those of the newly established Ad Hoc Commission.

But they were quick to note that if the LISCR investigation has anything to do with the bribery allegation and the tracking of the scandalous emails to the authors and recipients, then there was no doubt that it will render the Ad Hoc Commission irrelevant, a mere figurehead good only enough to legitimize the report of one of the accused in the bribery scandal – LISCR.

“Should this be the case, it will in no small way parody the rule of law and respect for the due process of law,” they said.

The analysts’ observation may remain a major concern amongst observers, but the government seemed to prefer remaining abiding in its action, promising to cross the bridge only when it comes to it.

This may have underlined President Sirleaf’s confidence during the Monday press conference when she told journalists that besides contacting the U.S. State Department to provide expertise to help probe the purported email exchanges, her administration welcomes any suggestions and international independent probe into the allegations. She did not say she would avail herself to any such probe, being linked to the scandal though Knuckles.

If Liberians thought the government was done with springing surprises, they were up for a shock, observers said.

“It is risk worth taking to remind our citizens and partners that this government’s commitment to fight corruption remains unwavering,” President Sirleaf said as she defends her administration’s cancellation of the “provisional results” of the bid awarding the Western Cluster Iron Ore Contract to Delta Mining Consolidated.

An Executive Mansion press statement following the President’s press conference said Delta and another iron ore company, Tartar Steel, were disqualified from partaking in re-bidding involving the Western Cluster Iron Ore Deposits, falling short of saying what their crimes were.

The statement however quoted President Sirleaf as noting that the government took the action to disqualify the two bidders based on reports that the initial process may have been compromised by external influence or impropriety. 

The President then proceeded to baffle observers by insisted that individuals that formed part of the so-called “external influence” would not be prosecuted, as the investors were disqualified, because there was no clear evidence linking anyone.

She did not seem to mind that such stance was tantamount to reneging on her earlier counsel that conclusions on actions of criminal nature should not lie before the accused is identified and given the opportunity to defend him or herself before a court of competent jurisdiction.

According to her, the government had to take the action against Delta and Tata, before it gather sufficient prima facie evidence,  based on its concern about public perception and what appears to be circumstantial.

She said, without giving further details, that it was in the country’s interest to take an action on political grounds – fearing though that her administration risks legal action from the two bidders for what appears a hasty action against the investors.

In a related development, according to a statement issued by the Executive Mansion yesterday, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the fight against corruption in the country requires the participation of all Liberians.

Addressing a press conference Monday at the Foreign Ministry, the President regretted that corruption has captured nearly all levels of the society and urged journalists to continue exposing corruption wherever it may be found.

The Liberian leader described as “unimaginable” reports of corruption in recent times, noting that there is a need to identify, engage and fight it as a nation.

She hope that the Anti-Corruption Commission established recently by law would begin its work to crack down on corruption and corruption individuals in government and in the private sector’s dealing with the government.

The Liberian leader also named bills now before the National Legislature, including the Code of Conduct and Declaration of Assets, as more measures being adopted by government to tackle corruption.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that 50 cases involving government officials either dismissed or suspended are before the Ministry of Justice for investigation and prosecution.

The President expressed the hope that the Ministry will complete its work within the shortest possible time, the Executive Mansion statement said.

Pres. Sirleaf, UN Envoy rally support for Liberian talent

Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Deputy UN Envoy, Jordan Ryan, have called on all Liberians to support the country’s young artists at the launch of the debut CD album recorded by the current winner of the ‘Star is Born’ national talent hunt, Moses Swaray.

This programme, organized jointly by the Liberian government and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), at the University of Liberia, featured impressive live performance by the winner, accompanied by several other top Liberian musicians and artistes.

“Once they have gone through all that they have to prepare themselves to reach the level of excellence, the only thing they get in return is support for their efforts and livelihoods,” President Johnson Sirleaf said.  She called on all Liberians to desist from the illegal duplication of songs and albums. “We do have the Intellectual Property Law in this country,” she stressed.

“As we start to launch this CD album, we want everybody to buy it. The law says don’t burn it; don’t copy it, because that is how we will support our young artists.” 

The President commended all the young people who participated in the “Star is Born” competition, stating that they have all excelled through their efforts, stamina, commitment and steadfastness to pursue what they love so much.

Deputy UN Envoy Jordan Ryan, who is also Officer-In-Charge of UNMIL said the event was just one manifestation of the successes being recorded by numerous Liberians in various fields of endeavour.

“There is hope for the vision of many stars that are being born in Liberia because they are taking responsibility to make Liberia a more peaceful place, and to make the country’s culture richer,” he observed.  

Focusing on, ‘Keep on Trying’, the title track for winner Moses Swaray’s debut CD album, Mr. Ryan urged all Liberians to draw inspiration from the lyrics. “Keep on trying. 

"Your time will come.  That is how Liberia is going to excel,” the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Recovery and Governance said.  
 Liberia’s Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Laurence Bropleh, used the occasion to announce the start of the new ‘Star is Born’ competition for 2008/2009 – the third edition so far.

“I am proud to be part of this successful journey,” minister Bropleh said.  The competition is an effective partnership between the Government of Liberia and UNMIL aimed at identifying and supporting young talent as well as promoting education and discipline among the youth.

Moses Swaray, the young musician won the 2007/2008 competition from a field of over 1000 young persons that participated from all of Liberia’s 15 counties or political sub-divisions.

He has made great strides since winning the competition, with his new album receiving a lot of air-play on Liberia’s leading radio stations. Moses Swaray has also been using his talents and in support of anti-crime, stop-rape, and other campaigns and initiatives all over the country. 

The production of the debut album was part of the original winning package for the winner of the 2007/2008 contest, which included US$1,500 educational stipend, an opportunity to work with UNMIL Public Information’s Community Outreach Unit in its nationwide sensitization campaigns, and a recording deal provided by Creative Sounds Studio in Monrovia.

Other partners and sponsors for the “Star is Born” competition include Comium mobile phone company, Ecobank, DynCorp, CityDotCom and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. 

Present at the launch were senior Liberian government and UNMIL officials, President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Alhassan Conteh, representatives of cultural, musicians, and movie unions of Liberia, prominent Liberian musical and movie stars, as well as scores of students and ordinary Liberians.