Star Radio Daily News Bulletin For June 10, 2005

Bulletin of June 10, 2005
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The European Union has threatened to withhold millions of U.S. dollars in aid to Liberia.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister says the EU is demanding the outcome of the River Gee massacre more than two years ago.
Over three hundred people were killed in the massacre.
Minister Thomas Nimely said the EU also wants the transitional government to make its position clear on the issue of war crime tribunal for Liberia.
Mr. Nimely told a cabinet meeting today that the European Body called for the independence of the judiciary.
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Transitional Chairman Gyude Bryant today signed into Hand Bill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The Bill has been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be printed in Hand Bill.
The Transitional Assembly passed the Bill yesterday after defeating a motion for reconsideration.
Foreign Minister Thomas Nimely told Star Radio that the TRC Bill would be printed next week.
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Fifteen Nigerian doctors are expected to arrive in Liberia on Sunday.
Information Minister William Allen says the doctors are to provide medical assistance to Liberia.
Mr. Allen told journalists today ten of the visiting doctors would be assigned in rural Liberia.
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The Montserrado County Chairman of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy says the Elections Commission was lenient with the Liberia Action Party (LAP).
Mr. McDonald Wlemus said instead of imposing a fine, the commission should have banned the party.
The Elections Commission found LAP guilty of pre-elections campaign after a local advocacy group, Progressive Action for Change filed a complaint to the commission.
The commission fined LAP and its Standard Bearer Varney Sherman a total of three thousand U.S. dollars fine for the violation.
But Mr. Wlemus described the amount as peanuts and said it was not a penalty on a party, which violated the electoral laws.
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Star Radio reporters traveling to Buchanan, Grand Bassa County say there is an outbreak of acute diarrhea in the settlement of Lloydsville along the Buchanan Highway.
Our reporters, quoting the officer-in-charge of the health center in Lloydsville, said five cases of diarrhea are reported weekly.
Our team said one victim of diarrhea was in a critical condition and awaiting transportation to Buchanan.
Our reporters observed there is no safe drinking in the settlement.
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The Independent National Human Rights Commission says a twelve-year old girl has gone missing after being raped twice.
The Chairman of the commission says the girl was allegedly raped first by a Pastor.
Attorney Dempster Brown told Star Radio today the girl was allegedly raped for the second time while in the custody of a police officer.
Mr. Brown said the incident occurred in the Red Light Community in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
The Human Rights Commissioner said the girl could not overcome her trauma and left for an unknown destination.
Mr. Brown told Star Radio security forces in Monrovia have launched a search for the missing girl.
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The head of a visiting Norwegian delegation says Liberia faces a serious challenge with corruption.
Mr. Vidar Hegerssen said Liberia have to do more to fight corruption.
Mr. Hegerssen said curbing corruption is a pre-condition for Liberia benefiting from Norwegian assistance.
He told Star Radio, as a donor country, his government is accountable to its taxpayers.
Mr. Hegerssen said Norwegian assistance would be channeled through NOGs and not the current government of Liberia.
The head of the Norwegian delegation said his government does not have trust in the transitional government.
Mr. Hegerssen said Norway is interested in the restoration of the rule of law and a free and fair election in October.
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The President of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Madam Geneva Koffa has been dismissed.
The LMA’s Board of Directors announced Madam Koffa’s dismissal today after a Board Meeting.
The Board told a news conference Madam Kofa was dismissed for acts allegedly incompatible with her office.
It accused the LMA President of financial transaction in violation of an agreement that the President should not spend without the consent of the board.
Madam Koffa told our reporter that she challenged the decision of the Board and said she would report to work tomorrow.
She admitted opening an account but said it was not in violation of any agreement.
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Hospital authorities in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, say three persons were seriously wounded in Wednesday disturbances in the port city.
The wounded are identified as Yudo David, 19, Romeo Kpayue, 26 and Isaiah Doue, 27.
The hospital authorities told Star Radio reporters visiting the city, Yudo David was shot in the head but did not die.
They said Romeo Kpayue and Isaiah Doue were also wounded in the heads with sharp objects.
Our reporters said there are claims and counter-claims over the cause of the violence.
Our reporters said Superintendent Robert Vonyegar and leader of a concerned citizens movement, Gabriel Smith accused each other of masterminding the violence.
The homes of both men were ransacked in the violence.