Can They Steer The Country In The Right Direction? The two men chosen as chairman and vice chairman of the Liberian Transitional Government have their work cut out for them. This is where experience and know-how will play a vital role in the development, and the preparation of the citizenry for democracy and election. Bryant, and Johnson will be supported by the best minds Liberia has. The two men will have to leave their options open, and avoid shooting their own feet. I believe they can prepare the country for national elections in 2005. Let's give them our fullest support.

Charles Taylor, A Class Act - Nyenpan Tarpeh-Doe August 13, 2003: The deposed Liberian president, and current fugitive of justice, Charles Taylor the indicted war criminal is being harbored by the Federal Republic of Nigeria since August 11, 2003 when he left Liberia in disgrace. President Olusegun Obansanjo of Nigeria finds himself in a predicament over the issue of  handing Charles Taylor to David Crane, prosecutor of the U.N. backed War Crimes Tribunal in Freetown, Sierra Leone because he allegedly has a direct connection with Taylor's sister, and has assured Taylor that Nigeria will not answer to the U.N. back court in Freetown. This could be some sort of guile being perpetrated  by Obansanjo on Taylor to provide him with his wishes but in the finale, Taylor will find himself arrested one morning, put on the plane bound for Freetown. No man must get away with such heinous crimes as committed by Taylor. There are International Laws which subject Taylor to respond to the charges of war crimes, hence Nigeria must not volunteer to be a part of this case by preventing such prosecution. To do so, is to defy the United Nations, and ridicule itself. Charles Taylor, since the beginning of the struggle for democracy in Liberia had no real interest in the development of  his country. The people of the country elected him president to prevent further blood bath; and saw him as someone who would attempt to improve human conditions in Liberia. He only made conditions worse and horrible for the citizens of the country. He swindled the nation wealth to tune of approximately 3 billion dollars leaving his nation in poverty and underdeveloped. Taylor brought in fighters from foreign countries to kill his people. Here was a man in full control of his country, yet insecure because of his quest to steal the nation's wealth, which he did. Others took up arms against Taylor because he was milking Liberia as if it was his "pepper bush." Liberia belongs to the citizens of Liberia, and so citizens took up arms to protect the interest  of the masses and depose Taylor whose only interest was self aggrandizement. Today, experts are referring to Liberia as a failed state which required foreign intervention at management levels for at least five years; after which election would be held to elect a new government. This is nonsense; Liberians can provide a leader that would move Liberia forward in all spheres of development. Right at this moment, MCI, and other companies are planning to  visit Liberia. Liberia will bounce back; we do not need managers, setup by other African countries to run Liberia.  Charles Taylor failed Liberia. He said it after the second going into his third year as president. He said his administration has failed the Liberian people. Taylor had no experience in managing a country. All Taylor's mind was composed of was to steal, and stealing, he did. He said, "God willing, I'll be back," back where, not in  Liberia. Everyone knows Taylor will not live in Nigeria very long. His plan is to return to the bush to destabilize whatever peace process currently in effect. The only action that would prevent Taylor from returning is to arrest and incarcerate him. Taylor left Liberia with all he could gather; what a shame. This is a man whose only intent was to loot the Liberian economy. This man was once a thief, he has proven the cliché that once a thief, always a thief. Charles Taylor needs to be brought before the Liberian people to face justice. He must answer to the people.

Is Liberia A Milking Cow? Asked Nyenpan Tarpeh-Doe August 13, 2003: Liberians in Ghana have been unable to produce a leader of character to head the interim government. It is a shame we could not come up with a couple of names to be voted upon. Everyone wants to be president. Those who stole money from previous administrations want to be president too. This thing has become ridiculous to the point that my friend Roosevelt Quiah also wants to become president of Liberia. I heard he is spending money like crazy in Ghana, campaigning for the position. Where did Roosevelt get that kind of money? It had been a long time since Quiah and I spoke when he called me recently to render his condolence when my mother, Rebecca passed. I appreciated his call and thanked him. However, I was surprised when I learned that he was running to be president. I knew he was supporting LURD's effort to depose Taylor. Liberians out to be serious about this interim leadership thing. Men like Roosevelt should not be taken seriously as his only intent is to milk Liberia of its wealth as he did with his brother Oscar  in Liberia. Quiah will steal; do not let him in.

America, A Hopeless Trust Nyenpan Tarpeh-Doe August 8, 2003: African countries ought to reconsider their relationships with each other and strengthen the Union of Africa to support itself. The president of South Africa  has stated repeatedly that Africans must learn to rely on themselves. It is well known the United States has forsaken Africa. However, Africa believes America can be a friend, but the truth is, America does not want to be a friend of Africa. Let's not be hopeful that America will stand with any country in Africa in times of need. The Africans have stood with America in times of need. Yet, there is no signal that Africa can be consider a friend of America. Liberia has been anticipating the assistance of  America in ending the war, but to no avail. Liberia has stood with America in every international conflict since independence. Historians have told of  Liberia declaration of war on Germany in the interest of America. How much more can we prove our loyalty? Liberia provided its land for America's largest spy network in the world during the cold-war, How else can we show our loyalty? America was given unfettered access to our airports and airstrips, and seaports for their military activities during the cold-war. Where did we go wrong with the friendship we thought we had with America?

Can The Nigerians Be Trusted? Asked Nyenpan Tarpeh-Doe August 8, 2003: It is no secret Nigerians are crooks, and the world knows this. The so-called peace keepers largely made up of Nigerians are now in the country to make babies, loot the economy as they did when they attempted to keep the peace during the Samuel Doe (no relations) administration. However, the Nigerians have once again been received with open arms by the Liberian people. It is the hope of the people the Nigerians will truly keep the peace since there would be Americans on the ground to supervise the process. Obasanjo, president of Nigeria has offered Charles Taylor, the Liberian dictator, and indicted war criminal refuge in his country. There are predictions that he would turn Taylor over  to David Crane, UN special prosecutor,  to face trial in Freetown, Sierra Leone. But will he? Skeptics have it that Taylor will not live in Nigeria; as money has already changed hands to protect him in another country. Or, will Taylor leave Liberia at all?