LIBERIA: FOURTH SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000050

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: FOURTH SESSION OF 52ND LEGISLATURE OPENS

REF A: 2008 MONROVIA 1059
REF B: 2008 MONROVIA 1049


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Liberian House and Senate held separate
opening ceremonies January 12 to mark the beginning of the Fourth
Session of the 52nd Legislature. About two-thirds of the
Legislators were present, with some members still abroad after four
months of recess. Vice President Boakai, as President of the
Senate, asked the Senators to accept the Supreme Court's ruling and
reinstate Senate Pro Tempore Isaac Nyenabo, but the Senate is still
divided over who should lead it (Ref A). Speaker of the House Alex
Tyler told his chamber that he expected them to arrive at a
compromise on the population threshold for redistricting in time for
the 2011 elections to go forward as planned (Ref B). The other
House priorities for this year include agriculture, roads, and
mining. END SUMMARY.

SENATE LEADERSHIP CRISIS STILL ONGOING
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2. (SBU) Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the
Senate, Vice President Joseph Boakai told the Senators that "as
lawmakers, they should respect laws too," by which he meant the
Senate should accept the Supreme Court's order that Senate Pro
Tempore Isaac Nyenabo should be reinstated immediately. Boakai also
urged the Senate to be mindful of how the public perception of the
chamber has eroded because of the leadership crisis.


3. (SBU) The Senate, however, seems no closer to settling the
dispute. Lahai Lasannah, arguing the Supreme Court had no right to
interfere on this Legislative Branch issue, is refusing to step down
as Acting President Pro Tempore until the Senate meets to vote on
Isaac Nyenabo's suspension. However, the Senate was unable to
convene for its first working session January 13 because of
disagreement on who would chair the session.


4. (SBU) Nyenabo told PolAsst January 12 that he believes he is on
the right side of the law and is trying to remain calm. He expects
the Senate will reinstate him in accordance with the Supreme Court
ruling in the next couple of days. Nyenabo told PolAsst he believes
that Lasannah and his supporters have quickly used up more than 60
percent of the Pro Tempore's budget and are afraid of getting
audited if power reverts back to Nyenabo. Nyenabo also said
Lasannah's supporters who are committee chairs are afraid of losing
their position if Lasannah is no longer in control.

HOUSE WILL TACKLE THRESHOLD POPULATION QUESTION
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5. (SBU) Speaker of the House Alex Tyler laid out his priorities for
the Fourth Session in his keynote address. He said developments in
agriculture, roads, and mining were crucial for the social and
economic well-being of the Liberian people. He said that he expects
the House to pass a threshold population bill early in the session
to enable the National Elections Commission to begin the
redistricting process so that the 2011 elections will not be
delayed. He also said the House will consider the Community Rights
Act, the audit reports submitted to the Legislature by the General
Auditor, the Freedom of Information Act, and a bill on the national
parks this year.

COMMENT
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6. (SBU) The two most important issues we will be watching in the
Legislature this session are the lawful resolution of the Senate
leadership crisis and a population threshold compromise in the
House. In the Senate, if Nyenabo is reinstated per the court order,
there is a possibility that Lasannah's supporters will try again to
remove him. Arriving at an equitable threshold compromise in the
House is going to test Members' ability to put service to their
country over their own interests. But, if the two chambers can
successfully resolve these challenges through the political process,
they will have demonstrated real growth and maturity of the
Legislature as an institution.

THOMAS-GREENFIELD