Tribunal Asks Dutch to Host Taylor Trial

[Eugene]

Tribunal Asks Dutch to Host Taylor Trial


Thursday March 30, 2006 1:16 PM

AP Photo LBR103

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The special tribunal for Sierra Leone has asked
the Netherlands to host Charles Taylor's war crimes trial, the Foreign Ministry
said Thursday, a day after the former Liberian president was arrested.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Dirk-Jan Vermeij said the Sierra Leone court had asked
the Hague-based International Criminal Court to make its facilities available
for the trial.

ICC spokesman Ernest Sagaga said he had no immediate information on the request
to Dutch authorities.

<snip>

The Netherlands said it was willing to work with the court, but that it wanted
the sanction of a U.N. Security Council resolution, among other conditions.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5721398,00.html

[acmavm]

1. Think Pat Robertson will be called as a character witness? n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. we better not be involved. Our federal legal eagles are screwing royally.

In fact, we best not even send witlesses, attorneys or reps.

Anyone catch the latest faux pas re: us prosecutors under Ashcroft?
Two are being indicted for withholding evidence (exculp.) from the defense in the trial of four alleged terra-supporters in Detroit.

Looks like ashcroft and they are now at war with each other.

[WhiteTara]

3. Let me have their phone number

I want to ask them to host the trial for monkey boy and company today!

[OKNancy]

4. Kick

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Taylor trial 'may move to Hague'

March 30, 2006

Sierra Leone's war crimes tribunal has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to host the trial of ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor.

The ICC said Sierra Leone's request to use The Hague as a venue was being considered, but stressed the African tribunal would still control the case.

The request has been backed by Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

Mr Taylor, who was captured on Wednesday in Nigeria, faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4860976.stm

Nice to see Taylor finally getting what he deserves.

I wonder what Pat Robertson has to say about his old buddy now? Here's what he wrote about him in 2001:

Pat Robertson Replies

Friday, November 30, 2001; Page A40

Colbert King has twice written allegations about me and a corporation in which I am a shareholder, Freedom Gold, which is engaged in exploratory mining operations in Liberia .

Mr. King has ignored the constitution of Liberia, its elected Congress, its administrative departments and its courts in order to assert that the government is an alter ego of President Charles Taylor. He further has said that Charles Taylor owns 10 percent of Freedom Gold and that profits from the company fund his alleged nefarious activities, including diamond smuggling out of Sierra Leone that enriches the al Qaeda terrorist network.

The problem with this scenario is that none of it is true.

Liberia does not own stock in Freedom Gold or have any profit interests in the company at this time. Freedom Gold is engaged in a search for commercial grade ore, and it is generating no cash flow or profits. Sometime in 2004 to 2006, it will make shares available to Liberia, but these shares won't be liquid until the company is taken public. No cash flow is forecast for Freedom Gold until at least 2004.

I have never visited Liberia or met President Taylor. I have no knowledge of the activities in Liberia during its bitter civil war. I do know, however, that Freedom Gold has hired 130 Liberians and is assisting Liberians in gaining a better life. It is in touch with citizens, government officials, Christian pastors and others inside and outside Liberia. Freedom Gold has found freedom of religion, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and what appears to be a judiciary dedicated to the rule of law.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A36685-2001Nov29¬Found=true

For someone who claims to have a direct line to the almighty he sure blew it on this one.

[Turbineguy]

6. Well, I sure hope it won't take too long

George Bush is waiting in line.

[snowbear]

7. You are SOOoooOO right !!