POSITION STATEMENT ON LAC
BY
THE UNITED BASSA ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AMERICAS

We, the citizens of the Bassa Counties, residing in the United States of America, do hereby resolved through our leadership (UNIBOA) the following statements:

The facts have revealed that this country (Liberia) is built on a principle of Laws, rules and a constitution that guarantee and protects the rights of every citizen regardless of ethic backgrounds, national origin or religious belief. Today, we the people of the Bassa Counties are convinced that this nation is still bonded by rules of law. Every citizen must respect these laws for the co-existence of a peaceful nation and its citizens. Based on these principles, the Bassa citizens had contained themselves as law-abiding citizens throughout the 14 years of our country's civil war, at which time other tribal men were killing and destroying properties in the Bassa counties. Our goals are to channel all grievances through the due process of the legal system of Liberia.

We think that Liberia has one of the best legal systems in the world and it should be utilized to judicate matter that of this magnitude for the welfare of the state and people. We recommend to the Interim Legislative Council to use its influence for the adherence of those who are holding our people in confinement against their will.

In the past decades, injustices for the most part, had been the daily norm and practice for those that we entrusted with the power of governance in our nation. Corrupt officials took advantage over the less fortunate citizens to promote their political and economic power. As a result of their actions, the entire nation is suffering.

To be more specific, the Bassa people are under siege by the 18 months old government of chairman Bryant and LAC legal counsel, Clr. Varnny Sherman. As of today, close to 80 thousands inhabitants are been forced out of their homes and villages and will lose everything that they own. It is also true that 93 citizens of the Bassa region are in custody based on the orders given by the Justice Minister and the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County, Mr. Vonyeegar Roberts.

We need not to mention that the 14 years of civil war and the expulsion of Mr. Charles Taylor out of Liberia and the overthrown of Samuel Doe, are due to the direct mistreatment and misuse of power against the Liberian people.

We strongly believe that the Bryant administration came to power due to these predicated examples. It is a disgrace and a complete shame for this administration to support and or condone such a barbaric treatment against any citizens in this nation, especially the Bassa people during this condition of our country's transitional period.

We the citizens of the Bassa counties, in the USA, condemn in the strongest possible terms, the undemocratic, unlawful and malicious mistreatment of our citizens. We are appealing to the Liberian Interim Legislative Council, The African Union, Hon. Jacque Klein Special Representative of the UN, The United States Ambassador to Liberia and civil organizations, to petition the Bryant administration and Clr Vanny Sherman to desist from this form of torture against our citizens. We do believe that the Liberian people in any shape or form will no longer accept a dictatorial form of leadership.

As all Liberians are aware, the United Nations is doing everything possible to provide us with a democratically safe and free election. Thousands of our citizens are now revamping and or putting together the left over pieces of their lives from the devastation of the civil war. Thousands more are been repatriated home from the neighboring countries. One of our greatest concerns are, where will these citizens go if they are force out of their farm or homeland? This is not the time in this country to start a political war when you are begging or seeking to find solution to a divided and lawless state.

Secondly, the eviction of the mass number of people would create a financial burden on the United Nation and other donor countries that are trying every possible way to stabilize our nation for general election. In other words, the displaced victims will not have the opportunity to vote in the pending general election due to the their displacement and or imprisonment. It is upon these concerns that we are appealing to those in the practice of using force against other citizens to allow a due process of the law to prevail.

We consider the actions by Clr. Sherman and Chairman Bryant as a hi-jack of democracy and may plunge our country back into chaos, civil unrest and derail the electoral process in the Bassa counties and other places in the nation. Suppressing other citizens while in power or political networking in our view has no more merit in the Liberian society.

Documentations obtained from government sources and others who are familiar with the LAC Concession Agreement, 600.000 acres of land that LAC is claiming, was not acquired. Instead, 30.000 acres were selected and surveyed by LAC in 1959. We want to know in public view, how LAC acquired this large potion of land from the Bassa people.

Upon this background, we are once again appealing to Clr. Sherman, Legal Counsel for LAC and Chairman Bryant to stop the inhumane acts against our parents, and citizens of the county and find an independent entity, such as the nation high court to look into the conflict. It is our hope that the Interim Legislative Council take this matter seriously in its power and find an amicable resolution. In addition, we appeal to the administration to release all those imprisoned by the Justice Minister and allow them to travel to their various towns or villages. Keeping any citizen under house arrest without the rule of laws been present is a violation of human rights and is punishable by international law. We also want the injunction filed by the Bassa Citizens be given consideration by a high court of competent jurisdiction.

Moreover, we consider injustice in the Bassa counties to be injustice everywhere in our nation. In this regard we need the support of everyone in this country for a speedy compromise. We need a united Liberia that is free from political harassment. We say thank to every concern groups and individuals who have expressed sentiments on this matter. We want you to continue your freedom of expressions and concern for a democratically united Liberia.

Respectfully,

T. Bahndyu DahnSaw
National President
United Bassa Organization in the Americas-UNIBOA
E-mail:Bahndyu@Aol.com (973) 851-0134