Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MONROVIA48
2008-01-16 14:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:
LIBERIA: THIRD SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS
how-toVZCZCXRO3877 OO RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHMV #0048 0161457 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161457Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9654 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS MONROVIA 000048
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: THIRD SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS
IN USAID RENOVATED CAPITOL BUILDING
UNCLAS MONROVIA 000048
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: THIRD SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS
IN USAID RENOVATED CAPITOL BUILDING
1. (U) SUMMARY. The Senate and House of Representatives of
Liberia opened the third session of the 52nd Legislature
January 14 with two separate ceremonies. Though the
ceremonies were largely procedural and did not outline much
regarding the 2008 legislative agenda, every speaker
expressed thanks to the United States for the beautifully
renovated Capitol building. Lawmakers in the House briefly
sparred over whether an outside body should be allowed to
investigate bribery allegations of $5,000 payments to impeach
former speaker Edward Snowe. END SUMMARY.
FIRST OPENING CEREMONIES IN RENOVATED CAPITOL
--------------
2. (U) The Senate and the House of Representatives held
separate ceremonies January 14 to mark the opening of the
third session of the 52nd Legislature in each of their
respective chambers. The ceremonies consisted of opening
prayers, a roll call of present members, a motion and vote to
open the session, speeches by the Chambers' leaders, a moment
of silence for all members who died the previous year, and a
closing prayer. The House of Representatives also hosted
legislative delegations from two other ECOWAS countries as
special guests. Speaker of the Parliament Roch Marc
Christian Kabore represented Burkina Faso and Deputy Speaker
of the Assembly Abdoulie Bojang represented Ghana. After
both ceremonies, President Sirleaf presided over a lunch in
the Capitol's newly renovated banquet hall.
DESPITE MINIMAL FURNITURE AND ELECTRICITY, CAPITOL BUILDING
IN USE
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Every member of the legislature expressed thanks for
the U.S.-funded renovation of the Capitol. Though the
building still lacks electricity and furniture, both chambers
decided that they would cease holding meetings in the Unity
Conference Center in Virginia. A small generator provides
enough power for overhead lights in the conference rooms, but
there is no air conditioning or power for the hallways.
Picnic chairs and tables have been set up on the lawn of the
Capitol so that members can congregate outside in order to
escape the indoor heat and have more light. Some members
have brought their own furniture from home for their offices
until GOL furniture can be provided. Others continue to use
the U.S.-funded library and computer lab, set up the capital
by the National Democratic Institute, for an office. The
Legislative branch is working with the Executive branch to
secure funding for furniture and electricity soon.
BRIBERY INVESTIGATION ISSUE FOR HOUSE MEMBERS
--------------
4. (U) The only item of contention was the issue of outside
investigation of bribery allegations in the House.
Representative Dr. Kettehkumuehn C. Murray, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the House, said emphatically in his
speech that the legislature is a sacred, august, and
independent body and "no outsiders should be allowed to come
in and investigate." Representatives Edward Forh and Elijah
Seah disagreed and called for an extended probe if necessary.
The allegations refer to claims that some members received
$5,000 for signing a resolution to impeach former Speaker of
the House Edward Snowe.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (U) While the opening ceremonies of the House and Senate
brought no significant surprises, the use of the Capitol was
informative. We were told as recently as last week that
legislative sessions would continue to be held at the Unity
Conference Center in Virginia until the electricity and
furniture problems were solved but all meetings are now
taking place in the Capitol. The luncheon for about 250
people was also successful despite the lack of air
conditioning. In any case, the Liberian legislature is
clearly proud of its new Capitol and very grateful to the
U.S. Government for financing the effort.
6. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: The good news on the bribery
allegation issue is that the legislators (and some elements
of civil society) are now seriously debating how, rather than
whether, to investigate the allegations. It is no longer
just the ICGL and the U.S. calling for action. END COMMENT.
Booth
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: THIRD SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS
IN USAID RENOVATED CAPITOL BUILDING
1. (U) SUMMARY. The Senate and House of Representatives of
Liberia opened the third session of the 52nd Legislature
January 14 with two separate ceremonies. Though the
ceremonies were largely procedural and did not outline much
regarding the 2008 legislative agenda, every speaker
expressed thanks to the United States for the beautifully
renovated Capitol building. Lawmakers in the House briefly
sparred over whether an outside body should be allowed to
investigate bribery allegations of $5,000 payments to impeach
former speaker Edward Snowe. END SUMMARY.
FIRST OPENING CEREMONIES IN RENOVATED CAPITOL
--------------
2. (U) The Senate and the House of Representatives held
separate ceremonies January 14 to mark the opening of the
third session of the 52nd Legislature in each of their
respective chambers. The ceremonies consisted of opening
prayers, a roll call of present members, a motion and vote to
open the session, speeches by the Chambers' leaders, a moment
of silence for all members who died the previous year, and a
closing prayer. The House of Representatives also hosted
legislative delegations from two other ECOWAS countries as
special guests. Speaker of the Parliament Roch Marc
Christian Kabore represented Burkina Faso and Deputy Speaker
of the Assembly Abdoulie Bojang represented Ghana. After
both ceremonies, President Sirleaf presided over a lunch in
the Capitol's newly renovated banquet hall.
DESPITE MINIMAL FURNITURE AND ELECTRICITY, CAPITOL BUILDING
IN USE
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Every member of the legislature expressed thanks for
the U.S.-funded renovation of the Capitol. Though the
building still lacks electricity and furniture, both chambers
decided that they would cease holding meetings in the Unity
Conference Center in Virginia. A small generator provides
enough power for overhead lights in the conference rooms, but
there is no air conditioning or power for the hallways.
Picnic chairs and tables have been set up on the lawn of the
Capitol so that members can congregate outside in order to
escape the indoor heat and have more light. Some members
have brought their own furniture from home for their offices
until GOL furniture can be provided. Others continue to use
the U.S.-funded library and computer lab, set up the capital
by the National Democratic Institute, for an office. The
Legislative branch is working with the Executive branch to
secure funding for furniture and electricity soon.
BRIBERY INVESTIGATION ISSUE FOR HOUSE MEMBERS
--------------
4. (U) The only item of contention was the issue of outside
investigation of bribery allegations in the House.
Representative Dr. Kettehkumuehn C. Murray, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the House, said emphatically in his
speech that the legislature is a sacred, august, and
independent body and "no outsiders should be allowed to come
in and investigate." Representatives Edward Forh and Elijah
Seah disagreed and called for an extended probe if necessary.
The allegations refer to claims that some members received
$5,000 for signing a resolution to impeach former Speaker of
the House Edward Snowe.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (U) While the opening ceremonies of the House and Senate
brought no significant surprises, the use of the Capitol was
informative. We were told as recently as last week that
legislative sessions would continue to be held at the Unity
Conference Center in Virginia until the electricity and
furniture problems were solved but all meetings are now
taking place in the Capitol. The luncheon for about 250
people was also successful despite the lack of air
conditioning. In any case, the Liberian legislature is
clearly proud of its new Capitol and very grateful to the
U.S. Government for financing the effort.
6. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: The good news on the bribery
allegation issue is that the legislators (and some elements
of civil society) are now seriously debating how, rather than
whether, to investigate the allegations. It is no longer
just the ICGL and the U.S. calling for action. END COMMENT.
Booth