The News (Monrovia)
Posted to the web 6 August 2008
Courtesy Of All Africa
A former official of the administration of slain President William R. Tolbert has linked agents of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the execution of the 1980 coup d'état.
It is widely believed that the 1980 Coup was carried out by 17 non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) of the People's Redemption Council (PRC).
Following the coup, 13 senior government officials of the Tolbert regime were executed by firing squad.
Cllr. Chea Cheapoo who served as Justice Minister under the PRC government told the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Tuesday that it was an American CIA agent that killed President Tolbert.
Cllr. Cheapoo quoted Mrs. Tolbert as informing him that her husband was shot by a 'white man' when he attempted leaving his bedroom during the coup at on the Executive Mansion.
"Mrs. Tolbert saw the CIA agent that assassinated her husband. She was on the scene. She told me several times that it was not Doe who killed her husband," he told the public hearings.
Cllr. Cheapoo, 66, also disclosed that President Samuel K. Doe and a former AFL Commanding Officer confided in him that the map used to enter the Executive Mansion was prepared and provided by the CIA.
"President Doe prevented me from seeing the map when General Quoiwonkpa attempted giving it to me at the Mansion," he said.
Cllr. Cheapoo indicated that the Americans are not good and were responsible for Liberia's nightmare, adding "I have problem with them."
"Following the coup, American CIA agents were assigned to work with us at the Justice Ministry," Cheapoo claimed.
Cheapoo who also claimed to have provided legal advice to the Progressive Alliance Of Liberia (PAL) concerning a protest, said he has no regret for the protest that led to violence and several deaths.
He said "If I have similar opportunity I will call for a street protest against the increase in the price of the country's staple, rice, which price continues to climb."
Cllr. Cheapoo denied his involvement in the death of his guardians Joseph Chessen, a former Justice Minister.
"Any attempt to secure his release could be treasonable. He could not be separated from the other officials," Cheapoo testified.
He also dissociated members of PAL from the execution of the 13 senior officials and said "God should punish me if I planned to kill them."
Cheapoo: "I should not go to heaven. I should suffer in hell if I have a hand in the death of anybody in this country. I am not a murderer."
Meanwhile, Cllr. Cheapoo has disclosed that 45 chiefs from the Southeast part of Liberia were killed by the True Whig Party (TWP) led-government and buried in a mass grave at the South Beach Prison in Monrovia.
He said he could take members of the TRC to the burial site if he is given the opportunity.
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