The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014

The Government of Liberia new diplomatic relations with the Governments of Montenegro and Latvia, President Johnson Sirleaf US$25,000 cheque presentation for two lots land to host Zubah Town Market, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai’s commendation to the German Government for support to Liberia and the European Commission increased funding to the fight against the spread of Ebola in Liberia are among stories highlighted in our Friday, April 18, 2014 selected dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Liberia Establishes New Diplomatic Relations

The Government of Liberia has established diplomatic relations with the Governments of Montenegro and Latvia. A Joint Communiqué formalizing the establishment of diplomatic relations among Liberia, Latvia and Montenegro were signed at separate ceremonies in New York City, the United States of America over the last week.  Liberia and Latvia formally established diplomatic relations on April 10, 2014 with Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Her Excellency Marjon V. Kamara signing the Joint Communiqué while Latvia’s Ambassador to the UN, His Excellency Ambassador Janis Mazeiks signed on behalf of his country.  The ceremony to mark the formalization of diplomatic relations with Montenegro was also held at the UN Headquarters with the Ambassador of Montenegro accredited to the world body, His Excellency Ambassador Milorad Scepanovic signing for his country while Her Excellency Marjon V. Kamara signed for Liberia.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, Liberia and the two European countries, decided to establish diplomatic relations at the Ambassadorial level, in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961.  The countries at the separate signing ceremonies, emphasized their commitments to promote mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship and cooperation among their two peoples, while guided by the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and other norms of international law.  They stated these norms pertain to the promotion of international peace and security, the respect for sovereign equality among states, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and international treaties.
Already prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, practical cooperation had been developed in the security sector. Soldiers of the National Armed Forces of Latvia jointly with the National Guard of the United States have trained instructors and officers of the Liberian army since 2012, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: Liberia Established Diplomatic Relations With Montenegro, Latvia – Congrats Zimbabwe, Israel (IN PROFILE DAILY),Liberia, Montenegro and Latvia establish Diplomatic Relations (INSIGHT)

Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Zimbabwe, Israel

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulation to the Government and People of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the auspicious occasion commemorating the 34th Independence Anniversary of that country. In her message, to His Excellency President Robert Mugabe, President Johnson Sirleaf extended heartfelt congratulations and sincerest best wishes to the Government and People of Zimbabwe on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name as Zimbabwe observes this historic event.  The Liberian leader Expressed confidence that the cordial ties of brotherliness, friendship and cooperation subsisting between Liberia and Zimbabwe will be further strengthened in the years ahead.   President Johnson Sirleaf further prayed that as Liberia and Zimbabwe work together in furtherance of the principles of the African Union and the United Nations, the Almighty God will endow President Mugabe with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to greater prosperity.
In a related development, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has also congratulated the Government and People of the State of Israel following the official observance of that country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.  In the message to Israeli President, Shimon Peres, President Johnson Sirleaf expressed confidence that the cordial ties, friendship and cooperation between Liberia and Israel will be further strengthened to the mutual benefits of the two Governments and Peoples. “As we work together in furtherance of the principles of the United Nations aimed at promoting international peace, security and cooperation among all Nations, I pray that the Almighty God will endow your Excellency with abundant wisdom and strength as you lead your compatriots to greater prosperity”, President Sirleaf told her Israeli counterpart in her message to the people of Israel, New Dawn reports.

Ellen Buys Land For LMA

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has presented a cheque of US$25,000 to the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church (LFGC) for the two lots of land hosting the Zubah Town, Duport Road Market in District #4, Montserrado County. She also handed over the deed of the property to the leadership of the marketing association. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberian Government, made the presentation to the LFGC at a formal program at the Duport Road Market on Thursday, April 17. The Pastor of the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church Praise Chapel, Rev. G. Uje Khasu, received the cheque on behalf of the church; while the Superintendent of the Duport Road Market, Ma Martha, received the deed for the property, IN PROFILE DAILY reveals.

Related caption: Pres. Sirleaf Gives US$25,000 Check(FOCUS)

Minister Samukai Lauds Germany

The Minister of National Defense, Brownie J. Samukai Jr., has hailed the Government of Germany for its contributions to the reconstruction drive of Liberia after the fourteen years of civil war. |The Minister noted that Germany had demonstrated strong commitment to the long standing bilateral ties that is existing between the two countries, and the financial support Germany has provided to GTZ (now GIU) and the German Agro Action that have been supportive in the recovery process of Liberia from its civil unrest, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

Related caption: Defense Minister Lauds German Support to Liberia(FOCUS), Defense Minister Lauds German support to Liberia (INSIGHT)

EU Increases Funding To Community Outreach

The European Commission is allocating 300,000 Euros to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the work of the Guinea Red Cross in preventing the Ebola virus from spreading. This will enable Red Cross volunteers to be trained and protected, while carrying out activities in communities where cases of Ebola have been reported. The funding was released in response to IFRC's Emergency Appeal, launched on 7 April, bringing the total of the Commission’s aid to fight the Ebola epidemic to 1.4 million EUR.
According to the European Union release issued in Monrovia yesterday, these additional funds will help to ensure that all three priority actions are funded- the clinical management of cases, epidemiological surveillance, as well as community outreach- a third and vital component in preventing the epidemic from spreading any further.  IFRC's actions in the field of community outreach include the training of volunteers, active tracing of cases, health promotion, as well as psychosocial support for patients, their families and health staff. 400 volunteers have so far been mobilized by the Guinea Red Cross.  "It is important that the volunteers of the Guinea Red Cross are able to do their vital work in the best of circumstances. Going out into communities where fear and sometimes panic has taken root to ensure suspected cases are isolated, safe burial practices are respected and the necessary hygiene measures are taken requires a lot of tact and expertise," said Dr. Jean-Louis Mosser, Health Expert for the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department ECHO.  Last week, the Commission already increased its assistance with 600, 000 EUR to help Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) scale up interventions in the field of clinical management and the World Health Organization (WHO) carry out epidemiological surveillance, while providing medical supplies, equipment and health personnel.  On 26 March, six European experts of the European Mobile Lab project (EMLab) for dangerous infectious diseases arrived in Guekedou, Guinea, with a mobile laboratory unit that is now fully operational, New Dawn writes.

Related Caption: EU Increases Funding To Fight Ebola(IN PROFILE DAILY)

Amb. Al-Hassan Conteh hails Albino Foundation

An inside story of the Insight newspaper reads that Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh has hailed the Albino Foundation in Nigeria for its work to ensure that persons with albinism irrespective of their gender, social and physical conditions are provided access to quality of life and social development. At a press conference organized by the Foundation to announce the First West African Regional Conference on Albinism scheduled for May 3-6, 2014, Ambassador Conteh disclosed that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has accepted the special invitation from the Albino Foundation to serv3e as keynote speaker at the forthcoming conference. The Liberian envoy however informed the Foundation that the President had designated the Minister of Gender, Julia Duncan Cassell to represent her and deliver a special message on her behalf.

Related Caption: Albino Foundation Hailed In Nigeria(The Reporter)

LWSC to Build US$199K Sanitation Facility in Zwedru

The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) will construct a US$199.234 sanitation facility in Zwekru, the provincial capital of Grand Gedeh County. The facility, which will be completed in six months, will serve over 27,000 residents of Zwedru. It is being funded by the African Developement Bank (ADB), according to the Liberia News Agency. In remarks during the ground breaking ceremony recently, LWSC Managing Director Charles Allen disclosed that a series of measures, including technical training and academic capacity building, are underway to prepare future managers of the corporation. Mr. Allen said the rehabilitation and construction of sanitation facilities will be followed by the supply of safe drinking water to Zwedru City, with assistance from the ADB, the Insight writes.

Related caption:LWSC to Build US$1999K Sanitation Facility in Zwedru(FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

France On Ebola Outbreak In Liberia

The Government of France through its Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Ambassador Joel Godeau has disclosed that huge chunk of its US$12 million allotted to Liberia’s health sector currently funding health programs in the country will be directed at the country’ Ebola virus war front. Ambassador Godeau lauded President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for her ‘steadfast position’ against the closure of the Liberian borders with neighboring Guinea following the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country, the Reporter newspaper reports.

Ambassador Wesseh Calls For Unity

The Minister of State Without Portfolio, Ambassador W. Company Wesseh has called on citizens of River Gee to abandon their greed and pursue unity for the betterment of their country. He said disunity amongst the citizens does not augur well for the development of the newly created county. Amb. Wesseh said disunity is a recipe of stalling development initiative in the county, the Reporter newspaper reports.

Woman, 49, Died In Fire

A 49-year-old woman who has been sick for the past twelve years met her untimely death early Tuesday morning, April 15, 2014 after intense fire disaster which gutted the house she was residing in Lower Johnsonville, Old Field.  Speaking to Reporters recently on the scene of the event, the Chairman of Block B community, Jackson Nyanpan said preliminary reports from the Forensic and Homicide divisions of the Liberia National Police (LNP) suggest that a short piece of candle was discovered on the spot of the indicent. He said the victim, Mrs. Viola Davis who hailed from River Gee County and her two grand children were in the room at time of the event, but the children narrowly escaped the fire leaving the sick woman to struggle to death from third degree burnt, thus creating panic and cries in the community, the Reporter newspaper writes.

'Not Accomplished' - NEC Admits Shortcomings In Voter Roll Update

The National Elections Commission of Liberia through its Chairman Cllr. Jerome Korkoya has admitted shortcomings in the process of the voter roll update just completed by that body.
At a news conference Thursday at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission in Sinkor, Cllr.Korkoya said the anticipated 400,000 people expected to register during the process was not achieved.  He said, of the estimated number, only 104,710 registered during the process a number according to him represents Liberians who had attained age 18 years and above since 2011.   According to the NEC Chairman of the number mentioned, 67,474 or 64% represents registered electorates with ages ranging from 18-22 year, which he said indicates the overwhelming desire from young Liberians to participate in the democratic process of the country. Chairman Korkoya also disclosed that provisional results show that 65,989 or 63% of the new registrants are male while 38,721 or 37% are female.  The report also rated Montserrado, Nimba and Margibi Counties as the three counties that recorded the highest amount of registered voters during the voter roll update which figures are listed as follow; Montserrado County (27,110 or 26%) Nimba (11,251 or 11%), and Margibi County (9,677 or 9%), Respectively.
“Members of the Press, you may recall that prior to the commencement of the voter roll update exercise, the NEC informed you the public that based on data obtained from various statistical sources a total of 400,000 eligible Liberians were expected to register." "Of this figure, it was estimated that 250,000 would be eligible Liberians who have turned 18 after the 2011 voter registration exercise, and those who for some reason or another did not registered in 2011. The remaining 150,000 were estimated to be registered Liberians who wished to transfer from their previous areas of registration to their current area of residency”. Korkoya continues:” notwithstanding, the fact that the commission put in place all of the essential measures intended to achieve this target, including the provision of logistical support as well as the conduct of an aggressive Civic Voter education campaign, using CSOs, CBOs, community and national media institutions amongst others it is clear that the Commission did not achieve this target based on several factors, principal amongst which is voter apathy.”  He also disclosed that in keeping with Sub-Chapter C, Section 3.11 of the new election law of 1986 and key dates of 2014, special senatorial Election, the commission will conduct an exhibition of the Provisional Voter roll update from April 28 to May 2, 2014.  The exhibition process according to Cllr. Korkoya, will give registered voters the opportunity to make claims and objections where necessary as well as make corrections to their personal data. The Liberian Senate ratified a proposal from the NEC calling on the legislature to ratify an agreement that will allow the government to borrow over two million United States dollars to be used by the NEC to conduct a successful election.  The proposal currently lingers in a committee room at the House of Representative as the Commission anticipates a speedy concurrence with the senate after their Easter Break.  In march of this year the House of Representatives invited the Board of Commissioners of the NEC to appear before the body to give reasons why the commission expended money in the tune of one million united states dollars on car rental fees for the voter roll update exercise without observing the Public Procurement Concession Commission(PPCC) regulations.  But in response to the Lawmakers concern, Chairman Korkoya told them   that he was not answerable to them on money matters, but later apologized to the body for his statement, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related caption: Voter Update Nets 104,000(New Dawn)