Jacques Klein Dumps Bryant, NTGL

The prolonged honeymoon that once existed between the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), seems to be fading away. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jacques Paul Klein, continues to register his mission’s displeasure over the lack of cooperation by the Bryant transitional group to effect the travel ban and the seizing of Taylor and his associates’ assets in accordance with the UN Security Resolution 1521 of 2003.

Apart from the corruption allegation levied against the government, Ambassador Klein said, the Gyude Bryant-led government has failed to enforce the travel ban and seize the assets of those considered associates of former President Charles Taylor, now exiled in Calaba, Nigeria.

Addressing the UN Security Council on the Fourth Progress Report of the Secretary-General on UNMIL operations in Liberia recently, Amb. Klein told the world body that when the freeze list was published, “I forwarded it to Chairman Bryant and requested that the Transitional Government take necessary measures to enforce the decision of the Security Council.”

The UNMIL boss, in his speech said, up to date the government is yet to take action on this matter, adding, “I would therefore be grateful if the Council keep this important matter under review.”

Sometimes ago, the UN Security Council released the names of former President Charles Taylor’s family members, including his close associates as those affected by the UN travel ban. Accordingly, those listed are his wife, Jewel-Howard, his son Chulky, Benoni Urey, then Maritime Commissioner, Randolph Cooper, former Roberts International Airport boss(RIA), Emmanuel Shaw, former Economic Advisor, Cyril A. Allen, former Chairman of the National Patriotic Party (NPP). Others on the list include Marthye Gibson, former senator of Sinoe County, who is also accused of demolishing the Barclay Training Center (BTC), and squandering of the funds earmarked for the construction of a Children’s Village in Liberia.

It can be recalled that in less than three months, the head of the UNMIL, Jacques Klein, in an interview with an international news agency, IRIN, accused the NTGL for not helping UNMIL in the implementation of a crucial component of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (disarmament of combatants). Amb. Klein pointed accusing fingers to members of the NTGL of being concerned with grabbing power and squandering the nation’s resources at the detriment of the Liberian people, leaving out what the government was mandated for.