resident Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s National security advisor says the Liberian Government is seriously investigating the motive behind the disclosure of the so-called Nippy spy memo, declaring that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted.

H. Boima Fahnbulleh told a gathering of concerned Liberians at a town hall meeting in southwest Philadelphia Saturday that government was not spying on its citizens. He reassured Liberians in the Diaspora that they are free to visit their homeland anytime.

The out-spoken security advisor reechoed government’s position that it would investigate the spy memo incident and would determine where it came from and will make sure those responsible for the leakage at this time are brought to justice. “The guilty would not go free,” he declared, amidst cheers from the relaxed audience.

Target policy nonexistent

Stating that Saturday actually marked his first visit to Philadelphia, “HB” as he is popularly called, remains optimistic that he would have more time to dialogue with Liberians during his stay in the country. Fahnbulleh is heading a government delegation to the US with a mandate to engage Liberians here to allay their fears as a result of the spy memo episode.

Fahnbulleh maintained that the government has no policy to target Liberians in the Diaspora. He noted that Liberians have the rights to critique the government. He emphasized the government is not in the business of repeating the things of the past. “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attaches seriousness to your concerns. She did not neglect your concerns, so that’s why we are here,” he said.

The security advisor questioned the timing of the leakage of a memo which he said had been discarded since 2006 when it was received by the national security agency. He strongly believes the disclosure of the document was intended to undermine the ongoing treason trial of former army General Charles Julu and others linked to an alleged coup plot to unseat the Ellen-led government. He observed the memo was also leaked by unscrupulous individuals to undercut the credibility of the government’s case.

“If we seriously felt that there was a plot judging by the memo, we would have gone through the necessary steps to call people, but no one has been called since 2006,” Fahnbulleh stressed. He furthered that when the memo was received by the NSA with some names listed, “we felt the sender must be a lousy security person. You can not send that kind of information through a yahoo email. It would be open to all.”

The security advisor reiterated that government is investigating the memo issue to ascertain where it came from, adding "when we find out, we will take the necessary action. The motive for these so-called intelligent reports is money. They have lied on me before; they lied on the Vice President and if they have the opportunity, they will lie on the president too.”

Culture of lying

Fahnbulleh cautioned Liberians not to believe in hearsays, stating that there are individuals in the systems who strive on lies to either get money or seek political relevance in the society. “What will destroy our country is not the lies that are being told by the liars, but if we are gullible to believe these lies.”

He lamented that the culture of lying against fellow Liberians is embedded in the Liberian society to an extend where it continues to rip citizens apart. “We have developed that lying culture in Liberia. We hear all kinds of reports that you people in Philadelphia are rebels, trouble makers, etc, but did I believe it? No. We elected a leadership in Liberia that is confronting these lies rationally. The President is against such culture.”

“There are people who don’t want others to go back home because they are brilliant. There are people who don’t want you to go back home. People strive on fears. Why would you not go home? It’s your country. No one will arrest you. We don’t have no Charles Taylor anymore,” Fahnbulleh pointed out. He also expressed delight that these town hall meetings around the US "are crucial for all of us to come together to discuss our common destiny."

He urged Liberians not to allow the few unpatriotic people to keep them away, adding that no matter what the situation; dialogue is the way forward. "These meetings are healthy for us to discuss. They will benefit the country and the peaceful road to national recovery. Liberia is your country and you make the decision whether to go back or not and not letting any one to scare you away.”

Freedom of speech and the rule of law

Beaming with smiles, the advisor told his audience that in today’s Liberia, citizens enjoy freedom of expression. “In Liberia today, there are people who are very critical of the government. They interact with people and walk around Monrovia and nobody bothers them. If you should read the newspapers, there are more criticisms of the government. We listen and we respond if we need to. People say what they want to say without fear of molestation. “

Fahnbulleh claimed that it is practically impossible for the government of Liberia to conduct spying activity on her citizens, adding that the government does not have the necessary resources to engage in such covert operation. “This government is not returning to the iniquity of the past. It is impossible to do so,” he maintained.

Earlier, the deputy chief of mission at the Liberian embassy near Washington DC, Alexander Wallace called on Liberians to engage in positive dialogue that will enhance the relationship between the mission and the community. “Our doors are open and please feel free to visit with us. Let us talk for the good of our community,” he urged.

The embattled Liberian Ambassador Charles Minor, whom most Liberians have suggested be recalled for consultation for his alleged involvement in the Nippy spy memo saga, did not attend the crucial town hall meeting due to prior engagements. His deputy Wallace was accompanied to the meeting by First Secretary and consul, Gurley Gibson-Brown and former Liberian consul general in Philadelphia, Teta Banks.

ULAA was represented by its President Emmanuel Wettee, who reiterated that ULAA is in partnership with the Liberian government, but warned that any attempt to repeat the past would be met with stiff resistance from the union. Prior to the town hall meeting, the Liberian delegation held closed door meeting with ULAA authorities.