Consul-General rules out U.S., Nigeria rift over Taylor
By Nkechi Nwosu (Foreign Affairs Editor
IT is unlikely that the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, which is being trenchantly canvassed by the United States (U.S.), will pit it (the U.S.) against Nigeria, the new American Consult-General, Brian Browne, has said.
He also allayed fears over the presence of U.S. naval personnel and warship in the Gulf of Guinea, describing it as a "normal exercise."
Browne, who is the helmsman at the U.S. Consulate-General in Lagos, made these clarifications yesterday in his first press briefing since he returned to the country for a third time.
Having spent 10 years of his career in Africa and mostly Nigeria, his participation in the peacekeeping observation in Liberia had offered him a first-hand information on the alleged misdeed of Taylor now plaguing the former warlord.
According to him, the U.S. understands Nigeria's precarious position in the whole saga, as Washington supported the country's diplomacy which culminated in offering Taylor asylum to halt the trail of bloodletting in Liberia, but, the trial of Taylor is necessary.
His words: "We supported the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) but with understanding in our minds that Taylor will sometime be made to answer questions over the misdeed in Sierra Leone."
He said the trial of Taylor was not likely to lead to frosty relations between Nigerian and the U.S.
The consul-general said: "We would want Taylor to answer questions on why war was necessary in Liberia and the supposed assistance he gave to rebels in Sierra Leone.
"The U.S. government dialogued and is still dialoguing with the Nigerian government and ECOWAS leaders on how to bring Taylor to justice and both countries have been co-operating on the matter. We think he (Taylor) should answer questions on his conduct."
Browne, a lawyer who served as political officer and acting political counsellor in Liberia from 1991 through 1994, said he had first-hand experience working with Nigerian peacekeepers in ECOMOG, the West African States' force in Liberia.
On the anxiety of Nigerians over the U.S. military patrol in the Equatorial Guinea territorial waters, Browne said it was normal military exercise.
"His words: "The U.S. naval personnel are on the high seas for the worldwide exercise involving seven carriers and which is going on simultaneously.
"Don't look for seeming nefarious intention because there is none there," Browne said, referring to the threats insinuations,
On the issue of visa, the envoy promised that his administration would further the good legacy left behind by his predecessor, Ms. Robyn Hinson-Jones.
Under Hinson-Jones, the rate of visa refusals reduced significantly, though some procedural hassles still remained.
