Weah Condemns LURD Invasion
-Prefers Ballot Box
By M.V. Paasewe
July 4, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

         Liberian international superstar George Oppong Weah has expressed regrets over ongoing rebel activity in Liberia, indicating, if the LURD rebels have problems with President Charles Taylor, they should seek recourse through the ballot box.

       According to our Ghanaian correspondent, Sports ambassador Weah made the disclosure Sunday when he appeared on Ghana TV with renowned Ghanaian BBC journalist, Kwaku Seyki Addo, on the programme "Kwaku One-on-One".

      This is first time that Weah has commented on the carnage and humanitarian crisis that engulfed his country since dissidents operating from neighboring Guinea launched an incursion into Liberia in 1997 with the aim of deposing the democratically elected government of President Charles Ghankay Taylor.

     During the discussion with journalist Addo, Weah spoke of his plans to return to Liberia. Weah maintained that he does not hate President Taylor. He said he always told people that the Liberian president is not a bad person.

      Weah said because of the war, he decided to relocate in Ghana or La Cote d'Ivoire because of their proximity to Liberia. But he said he prefers Ghana the most because his mother and many of his friends live there.

     Weah was in Ghana recently along with several other Ghanaian professionals to participate in a friendly match. The match was organized in commemoration of the May 9, 2001 Accra Stadium stampede that claimed 126 lives during a league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kokoto.

Tony Yeboah, Yaw Preko, Ibrahim Razak and several other professionals also participated in the ceremonial match.

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