Monday, January 16, 2006
Africa's first woman president
"In the post 9-11 world, the US has developed new and effective tools for tracking the finances of international terrorists. These tools could also be used to locate and return the ill- gotten gains of those who have terrorized and robbed their own people. Returning the funds the Taylor regime stashed in US bank accounts would help Liberia get back on its feet, while deterring future corruption."
"US officials should also use their clout to get US corporations that operate in Liberia to stop exploiting the Liberian people. For example, recent court cases filed in Liberia and in California have charged Bridgestone/Firestone with employing forced labor, child labor, and destructive environmental practices on the company's vast Liberian rubber plantation. According to the International Labor Rights Fund, the company imposes such a high daily quota that workers have no choice but to bring wives and children to help them tap rubber trees if they are to earn the measly daily wage of $3.19."
"US officials should also use their clout to get US corporations that operate in Liberia to stop exploiting the Liberian people. For example, recent court cases filed in Liberia and in California have charged Bridgestone/Firestone with employing forced labor, child labor, and destructive environmental practices on the company's vast Liberian rubber plantation. According to the International Labor Rights Fund, the company imposes such a high daily quota that workers have no choice but to bring wives and children to help them tap rubber trees if they are to earn the measly daily wage of $3.19."
