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Transition Team to Be Expanded, Says Ellen as She Embarks on Week-long US Trip

Liberian Observer (Monrovia)
NEWS
December 7, 2005
Posted to the web December 7, 2005

By Cheechiay Jablasone
Monrovia
President-elect Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's 153-person Transition Team, whose
publication has caused widespread public uproar, is about to witness a drastic
change; at least that's what the President-elect has hinted.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer yesterday in her private
office at her Fish Market Residence, Madam Sirleaf called on all groups and
persons dissatisfied with the current Team to become "proactive" and offer
their services to work.
She claimed the Team is going to be expanded to include those who would put
themselves forth for specific tasks. The President-elect disclosed that she has
received a letter from the 'Yanna Boys' and the 'Wheel Barrow Boys' requesting
their inclusion.
Such persons would also get a place on the Team, she pledged, insisting that
she is not using college degrees or education as the only measure of
intelligence.
Madam Sirleaf called on groups that are complaining to give her a list of names
of people along with their "interest and expertise," and she affirmed she will
"comply".
She pleaded: "Let's look at this as an interactive thing; not one in which you
look at a decision and then you criticize." She was clear on her feelings about
expanding the committees to satisfy everyone.
But she also urged those making the Team to understand that it is a "time
bound" and very intense effort, which is strictly voluntary. "It is not a
moneymaking opportunity; and Team members will not get paid, she emphasized.
Addressing the issue of persons on the Team who stand accused by the public of
wrongdoing, the President-elect argued that those in the public with specific
proof of such wrongdoing must submit such proof to her office, and the affected
individuals would be dealt with.
Mrs. Sirleaf defended her appointment of Mr. Harry Greaves, former Economic
Advisor to NTGL Chairman Gyude Bryant.
"I haven't had any specific charges against Mr. Greaves," Madam Sirleaf told
the Daily Observer. "I've heard him included in collective guilt in the Bryant
Administration. Well I can't go for collective guilt. I think if somebody has
something specific, with evidence, and it does not meet our standards, then we
will take appropriate action.
"But let me say from my experience in working with Mr. Greaves, which has been
for many years, that he's hardworking, he's intelligent, and he delivers."
Mrs. Sirleaf went so far as to say that the same applied for Dew Mayson, former
National Investment Commission Chairperson, and later Liberian Ambassador to
France under the Samuel Doe Administration.
Because of the key roles that they played in the respective administrations
under which they served, both of which were considered corrupt, the public
outcry against their appointments to the Transitional Team has been great.
But she made it clear that she would hate to deal with anyone solely based
"collective guilt".
Madam Sirleaf said she has also been a victim of so many wrong public
accusations, in which she had no part.
Public sentiment has been rising against the inclusion of certain members of
the Team who had either been officials in failed past regimes or served the
current interim administration, regarded by the people as being corrupt.
Gender Balance
Asked if she would have a gender balanced Transition Team or future cabinet,
Madam Sirleaf bluntly stated that she is not sure of a "fifty-fifty" gender
balance. She claimed what is imminent is a strong representation of women on
the cabinet. She made no specific reference to the names or number of women she
intends to have on the cabinet. But most observers are holding the view that
she might just resort to the course of "Affirmative Action" and include at
least 30 percent female.
However, Madam Sirleaf promised that appointment to her cabinet will be done
through a vetting process involving various groups in society. Once the name of
a person passes the open vetting process, she said she would name that person
to the cabinet.
'Hard Decisions'
The President-elect divulged that her frequent reference to "hard decisions"
under her administration is simply to deliver on her campaign promise to review
current concessions agreements in the country, to ensure that the national
interest was protected.
She said her 'hard decisions' will involve re-negotiating contracts where the
national interest has been compromised and institutions involved are
"accustomed to certain interests and certain benefits", where those benefits
will be affected.
She named the removal of "monopolies" that some businesses have and the
revisiting of the prices of certain basic commodities, as some of the 'hard
decisions' she would have to make. It will require 'hard decisions' to free the
market and end the monopolies because "vested interests" will be affected.
Revisiting National Symbols
The President-elect said she has to be courageous in making those decisions, as
she has to do it for the greater good of the nation as a whole.
On the political front, she indicated that it would take 'hard decisions' to
reach some of the reforms that have so long been expected in the country. Among
those reforms, she counted national symbols such as the flag and seal and
certain derogatory language within the Declaration of Independence that are
somewhat divisive and need to reflect unity. While she agreed that Liberia
cannot change its past, she asserted that it would be necessary to find a way
to make our national symbols "conducive to the spirit of unity and
reconciliation." She challenged Liberians to be bold to go back into history
and change some of the "old anachronisms."
The 23rd President, who takes office in mid January, said she will leave such
political decisions to public debate, but strongly believes they need
transformation.
Meanwhile, Madam Sirleaf departs the country today for a weeklong visit to the
United States. The President-elect is expected to visit New York and
Washington, D.C., where she will hold talks with United Nations officials and
key international financial institutions and partners.
Later in Washington, D.C., she will hold talks with U.S. Government officials.
The talks in New York and Washington are expected to lay the ground work for
the Liberia's development agenda in the next administration, she told the Daily
Observer>.

   

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