Al-Qaida working with ex Liberia leader Taylor, says U.N.
Al-Qaida working with ex Liberia leader Taylor, says U.N.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 07:15 JSTUNITED NATIONS — Al-Qaida's network is actively seeking to destabilize West Africa, partly through its links with ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor, who has given sanctuary to its operatives, a U.N.-backed court said Tuesday.
Taylor faces a 17-count indictment by the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone. He is accused of arming and training rebels in exchange for so-called blood diamonds.
"Al-Qaida has been in West Africa. It continues to be in West Africa and Charles Taylor has been harboring members of al-Qaida," said David Crane, a prosecutor with the warcrimes tribunal.
Within a month of arriving in Sierra Leone in May 2002 "we ran smack dab in the middle of al-Qaida," said Crane.
Taylor has been harboring al-Qaida members, including those who participated in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya, since the attack. "We also have activities as late as 6 April 2005," he said.
Crane specifically linked Taylor and al-Qaida to an attempt to overthrow the government of Guinea, whose president, Lansana Conte, was the victim of a Jan 19 assassination attempt.
Chief investigator Al White emphasized that the researchers have been "receiving credible, reliable information" on the destabilization plans "from sources and witnesses we've been dealing with for three years in the region."
The sources report that Taylor "is actively involved in trying to destabilize the region and there will be another threat and another attempt very, very soon," White said.
Until Taylor is brought to justice, "he will be an immediate, clear and present danger to peace and security not only in Liberia but in the entire West African region," White added.
Taylor, the former president of Liberia, is charged with warcrimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone for his role in that neighboring country's 1991-2001 civil war. (Wire reports)
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 07:15 JSTUNITED NATIONS — Al-Qaida's network is actively seeking to destabilize West Africa, partly through its links with ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor, who has given sanctuary to its operatives, a U.N.-backed court said Tuesday.
Taylor faces a 17-count indictment by the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone. He is accused of arming and training rebels in exchange for so-called blood diamonds.
"Al-Qaida has been in West Africa. It continues to be in West Africa and Charles Taylor has been harboring members of al-Qaida," said David Crane, a prosecutor with the warcrimes tribunal.
Within a month of arriving in Sierra Leone in May 2002 "we ran smack dab in the middle of al-Qaida," said Crane.
Taylor has been harboring al-Qaida members, including those who participated in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya, since the attack. "We also have activities as late as 6 April 2005," he said.
Crane specifically linked Taylor and al-Qaida to an attempt to overthrow the government of Guinea, whose president, Lansana Conte, was the victim of a Jan 19 assassination attempt.
Chief investigator Al White emphasized that the researchers have been "receiving credible, reliable information" on the destabilization plans "from sources and witnesses we've been dealing with for three years in the region."
The sources report that Taylor "is actively involved in trying to destabilize the region and there will be another threat and another attempt very, very soon," White said.
Until Taylor is brought to justice, "he will be an immediate, clear and present danger to peace and security not only in Liberia but in the entire West African region," White added.
Taylor, the former president of Liberia, is charged with warcrimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone for his role in that neighboring country's 1991-2001 civil war. (Wire reports)
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