Michael Petrou has an article in Maclean’s magazine about Cindor Reeves, Charles Taylor’s former brother-in-law. Reeves brought weapons to Sierra Leone and diamonds back to Taylor. During this time he was an informant for MI6 and later gave evidence to the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Douglas Farah called Reeves the “Rosetta Stone” in the case against Taylor.
The Special Court helped Reeves re-settle in Europe due to threats on his life. Unhappy in Europe, Reeves brought his family to Canada. He recently lost his job and is considering moving his family into a shelter. Meanwhile the Canadian government might deport him, as they suspect he could be responsible for war crimes. Petrou doesn’t think he is.
Douglas Farah spent a great deal of time with both the RUF and Reeves in 2000 and 2001. He too was worried that Reeves might have blood on his hands and asked as many people as he could about him. “Nobody had any recollection of ever seeing him with a gun, much less in combat,” he says.
This is a good article. If you’re interested in the revolving cast of characters in Taylor’s posse in the early part of the war, I recommend Mark Huband’s The Liberian Civil War.
Cindor Reeves is a big joke! He was torn to shreds in the Gus Kouwenhoven case where he testified for the Prosecution. For this reason he was not even called as a witness in the Charles Taylor trial. Shelby what most people in the West don't seem to understand is that people will say anything to win political asylum in Europe or the States.
Thanks for this comment, Aki. If you get a chance, shoot me an email.
-Shelby
I am indeed grateful for the comment posted by this gentleman Aki, I have come across this blog-spot for some time now and sincerely do question its objectivity when it comes to Mr Taylor. First of all, I am a Nigerian national with no Liberian attachment whatsoever . Secondly,my knowledge of law and the issue of guilt or innocence is/should be totally clear of prejudice. Here is what prosecutor Rapp has to say about this individual: Asked about one Cindor Reeves, also quoted in Macleans, Mr. Rapp said that "the individual says he's a protected witness… If that were true, we could not confirm it."
If he could not confirm it how could shelby and Macleans confirm it ? . Again, on the issue regarding the Lebanese.Just what are you driving at? Everyone knows that they are everywhere all over the world indulging in various deals with various characters. We have them as citizens in Nigeria as well as in Sierra Leone, Guinea etc. Once again I hold no brief for Mr Taylor but believe we must set aside our prejudices.
Sorry 'bout the anonymity of the above posting. I do not have a google account and do not want to register. I shall like to seek audience with Ms Grossman at some mutually convenient point in time be it in London where I reside, Nigeria, Liberia or the U.S . My request is solely to discuss the blogs thinking, rational or leaning. I as an African( also a political scientist and Lawyer) followed the Liberian civil war closely,and have been visiting the country since the late 70's as a little boy with my Mum(78 to be precise) up until 1985. I still possess the passport. I had family there residing somewhere on broad street. As earlier stated, I monitored the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone from the onset till the supposed conclusion. I must make clear that I do not condone whatever atrocities that were committed nor the destruction of infrastructure that ensued but this does not dampen my objectivity when it comes to accusations and allegations against the actors or principal actor in the war(s). The logic of scapegoating must be frowned at. Mr Taylor himself I believe does not claim to be holy but organizing a band of witnesses who's credentials are questionable makes mockery of the judiciary.
Ms Grossman what I am saying in essence is you should direct visitors to your site to read the actual court transcripts( examination and cross examination) and decipher for themselves as to the credibility or motives of such witnesses. Also, Shelby,I would like to hear your take on Mr Hassan Bility's court examination. This might provide me an insight on your reasoning. Lastly, I do hope this does not come across in anyway as insulting as it is not in anyway intended to. P.S: The name is 'Rasheed. In Nigeria at present. I
Dear Rasheed,
In response to your comments:
-I didn't say Reeves was a protected witness. Though he probably is. I imagine the Special Court just isn't allowed to tell the public which witnesses are in this category.
-You ask what I'm trying to get at with my post on the Lebanese. Nothing really. I just think the community is fascinating, and I have an interest in the way they worked and work with Liberian governments. I was curious to see how he referenced them during his testimony, as his relationship with several Lebanese businessmen is notorious. And I thought readers might be curious as well.
-I do point readers to the transcripts–see the post on the Lebanese. One of the links takes you to the page on the Special Court's website where they post transcripts.
-I don't know much more than anybody else when it comes to Hassan Bility's testimony.
I hope this addresses your concerns. Finally, you might want to note than I often criticize the prosecution's case, and the credibility of some witnesses. See my post called "5 things you don't know about the Charles Taylor trial" http://allabuja.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-things-you-dont-know-about-charles_12.html
Best,
Shelby
Dear Shelby,
I do appreciate your response to my mail and have, as you directed, viewed the "five things you should know" page. I understand a part of it is YOUR desire that Mr Taylor himself should spend the rest of his life in jail. Good. This, I believe gives me the insight I was requesting and do not wish to bother you anymore on the issue of objectivity after-all,it is your blog-spot. By using the word "various" with regards to the Lebanese earlier on, I meant shady and was just being careful with my words. Like I said they are every where just like the Israelis and they perpetuate all sort of extortion and exploitation across Africa and the rest of the world. We in Africa most especially know these two communities act like parasites on our continent and are part of the root cause of the problems affecting US (including illiteracy). Also, I shall implore you to also provide us FACTUAL links of the accused to the crimes in Sierra Leone. Thank you.