DUNN CHRONICLES ANNUAL PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGES

New book from former Minister of State now professor of Political Science at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, describes the social and economic development of an African country over a time span of more than a century and a half, from 1848 until 2010.

Dr. D. Elwood Dunn, a former Minister of State of Presidential Affairs has documented state of the nation addresses to the Liberian National Legislature from every year since 1848 in a book aptly titled: The Annual Messages of the Presidents of Liberia 1848-2010: State of the Nation Addresses to the National Legislature.

Dr. Dunn, currently a professor of Political Science at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA says the compilation publication captures a comprehensive longitudinal study which describes the social and economic development of an African country over a time span of more than a century and a half, from 1848 until 2010.

From 1974 until 1980 Dunn served in the government of Liberia, becoming a member of the Cabinet in 1979. He was editor of the Liberian Studies Journal from 1985 until 1995.

The book represents the first major research contribution to the history of the political system of one of the first countries of the continent to attain independence.

The speeches illuminate the area of conflict between the autochthonous and the black emigrant populations and also document the relations with the U.S. as “founding nation” and constitutional role model, especially in the 19th century. The presidents’ speeches are a rich source of information for gaining a better understanding of Liberia’s past and the country’s current challenges and future prospects. With The Annual Messages of the Presidents of Liberia 1848–2010, the speeches scattered in various Liberian and American archives and libraries have now for the first time been collected and reconstructed in one single edition.

Liberian presidents have delivered a state of the nation address reflecting the various facets of the political, social, economic and ethno-cultural situation of the country. Liberia, the first and – for more than a century – the only independent state in Sub-Saharan Africa, was founded in 1822 by an assortment of American non-governmental organizations as an asylum for black Americans.

The book has been described as an important contribution to the ethno-cultural history of Liberia, the first (and for more than a century the only) independent state of Sub-Saharan Africa. The contents have been compiled from numerous American and African archives and are now available in one edition for the first time. It also includes biographies of the presidents and a scholarly introduction by the editor supplement the 146 speeches. The edition is a valuable source of information on the history and political situation of Africa during the past 163 years.  This is Dr. Dunn’s second publication in recent years. His last work, Liberia and the United States during the Cold War: Limits of Reciprocity was widely acclaimed and explored the dynamics and limitations of reciprocity in Liberia-US relations.

Celebration Now, Fear Tomorrow

Joy Now, Yet Fear Tomorrow: Americans’ Voices on Bin Laden’s Death

Nat Bayjay, nat.bayjay@frontpageafricaonline.com (Temporary US #: 202-445-3622)

Trenton, New Jersey, United States-

On the night that Americans celebrated the death of the man who masterminded the worst terror attack against their country nearly 10 years ago, some have mixed the jubilation with fear.

Stephen White, a resident of Trenton who joined the jubilations in the city whose celebrations were far below those in Washington, DC’s White House and New York City’s Ground Zero and Times Square was quick in re-calming himself as he predicted a reprisal attack from the Al-Qaida network and its allies.

"I am celebrating tonight but I fear for tomorrow," said White.

On Sunday, at exactly 11:35pm Eastern US time, President Barrack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden, head of the Al-Qaida terror network.

President Obama: “Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

The news was greeted with immediate jubilations across the US throughout Sunday night up to Monday morning.

Here are views of other Americans on the aftermath of Bin Laden’s death.

Glad this is the end of the Al-Qaida leader Mason Wright, 33, recalled his days as a student at American University in Washington, DC said:"I was in D.C. during 9/11. It's hard to believe, 10 years later, it's over”.

Twenty-two years-old Juhie Butt, a student at the Princeton University in New Jersey said it is only about celebrating a man’s death but the over 3,000 Americans who lost their lives: "It's terrible to sit here and celebrate someone's death, but to the thousands of lives that were lost -- it's finally come to an end".

Alan Comar, 29, believed it is the greatest moment of a few moments: "There's very few of those got-to-be-there moments," said the Washington resident, who worked as a contractor in Afghanistan. "This is one of them."

But for Rick Uphoff, the fact it is his nation most affected by the terror king’s attack that excites him the most: "I'm glad it was us who nailed him”.

Dustin Swensson, who recently served in Iraq, echoed those comments, calling the news ‘historic’: "(I'll) always remember where I was when the towers went down and I'm always going to remember where I am now."

Bob Gibson, a retired New York police officer, said the news of bin Laden's death gave him a sense of "closure”: "I never thought this night would come that we would capture or kill bin Laden," he said. "And thank the Lord he has been eliminated."

One former New York firefighter forced to retire due to lung ailments suffered as a result of the dust from ground zero said he was there to let the 343 firefighters who died in the attacks know "they didn't die in vain."

"It's a war that I feel we just won," he said. "I'm down here to let them know that justice has been served."

Jim Riches, who lost his firefighter son Jimmy when the World Trade Center's north tower collapsed, said he was gratified when he learned of bin Laden's death: "(My) son still isn't coming home," he told CNN. "(There's) no closure, but at last, at least some justice for the murder of 3,000 Americans, finally."

Former US leaders wasted no time in putting out their statements on the issue. For the man who began the initiative of hunting Bin Laden, the moment was a ‘momentous achievement’: “Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”

"I congratulate the president, the national security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks”, added former President Bill Clinton.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California said: "As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I hope that today's action provides some comfort to the 9/11 families who lost loved ones in the devastating attacks on our shores. Though the death of Osama bin Laden is historic, it does not diminish our relentless pursuit of terrorists who threaten our country”.

Full Transcript of President Obama:

“Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must --- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not --- and never will be --- at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as commander in chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.”

UK-LIBERIA INVESTMENT FORUM ON COURSE

Forum aims to deliver key economic, trade and investment goals which are necessary for accelerating the transformation of Liberia into a wealth generating economy, and create a beacon of hope for all Liberians.

Douglas Farngalo, Freelance Journalist

e-mail:gondah678@live.co.uk

Birmingham, UK

The Liberian Embassy accredited near London has announced the hosting of an investment forum to be held from the 14th to 15th of June, 2011. The forum, the first of its kind to be held outside by the Liberian diplomatic mission, is expected to be held in London under the theme: “Enhancing Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development”.

The UK-Liberia First Investment Forum will be held under the auspices of the Liberian Government in collaboration with the Development Marketing Associates Limited (DMA) and Africa Matters Limited (AML). These two entities are renowned and have vast experiences in working with governments, according to the announcement.

The announcement further states that the purpose and objectives of the forum is to deliver key economic, trade and investment goals which are necessary for accelerating the transformation of Liberia into a wealth generating economy, and create a beacon of hope for all Liberians.

Speaking in an interview in Gent, Belgium, the Liberian Ambassador accredited to the Court of St. James, his Excellency Wesley M. Johnson said it has taken him two years to develop the idea aimed at showcasing areas of investment in Liberia to potential investors, with huge capitals hoping to develop various sectors ranging from transport, agriculture, human resources, telecommunications, medical, educational, natural resources etc. He said the president of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who will be visiting the UK from the 13-15 June 2011, will grace the occasion with her presence and deliver the opening remarks.

Speaking in detail about the planning of the event, Ambassador Johnson explained that the forum will include power point presentations by various heads of agencies of the Liberian government followed by brief speeches made to invited guests and members of the Liberian community in attendance.

The Embassy’s announcement details that those attending the forum will be drawn from the chamber of commerce and industry as well as private sector associations, businesses targeted from key sectors, key support and partner industries such as commercial banks, financial service providers, institutional investors and management consultants.

Other guests invited to attend will include international development and donor agencies, representatives from the Liberian government and successful Liberian industry figures, members of the press and the Liberia Diaspora.

His Excellency Johnson therefore appeals to all Liberians in the UK to be in attendance and also invite investors and business houses interested in investing in the Liberian economy to attend the forum.

The government of Liberia has embarked on a massive reconstruction initiative since the country was scarred by a devastating civil war, which lasted over 15 years. The first post war election was held in October 2005, bringing into office Africa’s first female president Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Many international investment companies have since entered agreements with the Liberian government, two of which include the Chevron Corporation to explore deepwater blocks of offshore oil over a combined area of 9,600 square km, together with the acquisition of a one billion dollar deal by one of the world’s largest steel companies Mittal Steel Company N.V., based in the UK, to explore iron ore in Northern Liberia. 

‘EXHAUSTING PROCESS’ OVER

Jury convicts 2, acquits 2 in Liberia-New York drug case

NEW YORK – A drug investigation initiated by the son of Liberia's president resulted in two convictions and two acquittals Thursday in a case that a prosecutor said was brought against one of the oldest drug distribution networks in the world.

The jury in U.S. District Court in Manhattan convicted Chigbo Peter Umeh, described as the mastermind of a plot to corrupt top Liberian officials, and Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot. It acquitted two Ghanaian men who the government said were enlisted to transport drugs by boat.

The trial featured testimony by a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who said U.S. authorities began investigating after Fumbah Sirleaf contacted the DEA in May 2009. Sirleaf, the son of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was director of the Republic of Liberia National Security Agency at the time.

Sirleaf and his deputy director, Tony Soul, posed as corrupt Liberian officials to assist the DEA in a sting operation, agent Eric Stouch testified during the trial.

The DEA secretly recorded a May 2009 meeting at which Sirleaf and Soul played their roles as they met with Umeh and two Colombian associates representing a South American drug trafficking organization, Stouch testified.

The defendants hoped to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars of cocaine as they conspired to exploit a West African country on the coast as a hub for transporting narcotics around the world, including to Europe, Africa and the United States, prosecutors said. The conspirators promised to pay Liberian officials $1 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine, they said.

Defense lawyers argued that their clients had no intention of shipping drugs to the United States and were entrapped by the sting operation.

At sentencing July 28, Umeh, 43, faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life while Yaroshenko, 42, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

After the verdict, attorney Jeremy Gutman said the two defendants who were exonerated benefited from videotaped meetings played for the jury by prosecutors because they showed that the men were not part of the conspiracy. Gutman, who represented acquitted defendant Kudufia Mawuko, told jurors in closing arguments that his client was a drug dealer but had never agreed to send drugs to the United States.

"This is not about judging whether he is an innocent man in general," the lawyer said. "The issue, the one real issue, and it is a big one, is whether he agreed to this particular plan."

During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Jackson said Umeh was at the center of a vast cocaine trafficking network stretching from Colombia to West Africa and beyond that dealt in multi-ton shipments of drugs. He called it "one of the oldest drug trafficking networks in the world" and said it was so brazen that Umeh suggested it use for transporting drugs the same model of jet used for transporting the U.S. president.

Attorney Todd Merer, who argued on behalf of acquitted defendant Nathaniel French, told the jury in closings: "We're grateful that the videotapes and transcripts exist because otherwise you'd have to decide that case on the recollection of" a government informant who pretended to be a business partner of the Liberian president's son.

The jury included New York Giants owner John Mara. He said outside court afterward that it was an "exhausting process" to reach a conclusion in the case and he took it "seriously" because there were "four guys' lives at stake."

"I think the system worked," he said.

Mara said he was going to the Giants' offices because the NFL draft was scheduled to take place later in the day, something he said the team was prepared for even though he had to miss a lot of meetings because of jury duty.