The Administration Chooses to Ignore Taylor

By Douglas Farah

Yesterday the House International Relations subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on Liberia and its long path toward reconstruction. What is truely astonishing is that the lead administration person on Africa, assistant secretary of state Jendayi Frazer, mentioned Charles Taylor exactly twice, in the same paragraph. It was a pro forma statement of interest in getting Taylor handed over for trial. That was it. The other administration officials testifying made no mention of Taylor at all.

This is astounding, given Taylor's continued influence despite his ties to terrorists, transnational criminal groups and crimes against humanity. He wields influence in Liberia through his proxies such as his ex-wife Jewell, House speaker Edwin Snowe, and myriad other criminal associates on the U.S and UN travel ban lists but now holding positions of power in Liberia. The administration made no mention of Taylor's ongoing activities, his past assassination attempts against other West African heads of state or trying to track his wealth stashed abroad.

Fortunately, there were other voices that brought these concerns to the forefront. Rep. Ed Royce R-California, a long-time champion of Africa in general and having Taylor stand trial, fully understands and clearly articulated the role Taylor continues to play.

Here is part of his opening statement, which is far more eloquent and realistic than anything Frazer or other administration officials had to say:

"The new Liberian government's road ahead would be far less treacherous, however, and the futures of the country and West Africa would be far more secure, if the warlord who brought so much destruction to the region was forced to face justice before the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which has indicted Charles Taylor on 17 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his destruction of Sierra Leone. You can read the full blog here.

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