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Ellen Meets Special Court Delegation

The Analyst (Monrovia)
NEWS
April 25, 2007
Posted to the web April 26, 2007

A delegation from the Special Court for Sierra Leone, headed by its Prosecutor,
Stephen Rapp, has met with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia. Members
of the delegation informed the President that they were in the country to meet
with Liberians to explain the workings of the Special Court ahead of the trial
in The Hague of former President Charles Taylor.
An Executive Mansion release noted that Prosecutor Rapp said it was important
that Liberians and Sierra-Leoneans are informed about the proceedings, to
ensure that accurate information gets out.
The Special court for Sierra Leone prosecutor said the court was determined to
ensure that the trial is transparent, fair expeditious and accessible to
everyone. A successful trial, Mr. Rapp said, will have benefits for the sub-
region, Africa and the rest of the world.
The Principle Defender, Vincent Nmehielle, underscored the need to ensure that
the trial meets international standards wherein the fundamental rights of the
accused are guaranteed. He said his office has appointed a defense team which
would administer and coordinate the process to ensure that Mr. Taylor's legal
interests are protected.
Responding, President Johnson-Sirleaf welcomed the Special court's mission to
Liberia. She said Liberians are determined to put behind them the era of the
bitter past.
The President also welcomed the court's decision to provide legal defense that
would provide the means for Mr. Taylor to have an effective defense. The
Liberian President expressed the hope that the trial of the accused would be
free, fair and humane and will end within a reasonable period of time, to allow
Liberians move forward to the future and pursue their development goals.
The wednesday meeting was attended by Foreign Minister, George Wallace, the
acting registrar of the court, as well as other officials of the court. Members
of the Sierra Leone Special Court are expected to meet with the civil society
and Liberian Law-makers.


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