President Johnson Sirleaf Signs Three Additional Bills

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has signed into law ‘An act to amend certain provisions of Articles 6, 8, 9 and 18 of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights Act of 2005.’ The signing paves the way for the Commission to conform to international standards and best practices. The President also signed into law ‘An act to amend section 15.2.2 and 3 and 15.3 of the public health laws of Liberia, 1956 Code Revised’ as well as ‘An act ratifying the universal instruments against terrorism.’ Speaking at a brief signing ceremony on June 3 at the Foreign Ministry, the Liberian leader commended the National Legislature for the accelerated pace of passing legislation and expressed hope that this would continue. Those present at the ceremony included: Senate Chairman on the Executive Daniel Naatehn,;Co-Chairman Mabutu Nyenpan; Nimba County Representative Nohn Kidau; Bomi County Representative Haja Fata Siryon; and Minister of State for Economic and Legal Affairs, Morris Saytumah Source: EM

Robert L. Johnson Announces Grand Opening of New Liberian Resort Hotel

Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of The RLJ Companies, today announced the grand opening of his latest business development, the RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas located in Monrovia, Liberia.

The RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas will play a critical and important role in the national reconstruction and economic development efforts put forth by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to rebuild and revitalize Liberia.

“I believe passionately that African Americans have a responsibility to support Liberia and it is important to ensure that President Sirleaf succeeds in her ongoing effort in rebuilding the country,” said Mr. Johnson.

Located on 13-acres of ocean front property, the 78-room villa style hotel offers first-class amenities catering to domestic and international travelers and includes an on-site restaurant, full service spa, tennis courts and swimming pool with poolside bar.

Throughout the planning of the new resort, Mr. Johnson has maintained his commitment to Liberia and believes the latest development will help lay the groundwork for advocacy effort in the United States.

The new hotel development is poised to become an engine of economic growth, development and prosperity and will help to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Africa.

“The potential is unlimited and we are delighted with today’s announcement and the hotel’s grand opening,” said Johnson. “This is the first steps to strengthen and broaden the ongoing business relationship between Africa and the United States.”

Hailed as Liberia’s newest gem, the RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas is now open for business and reservations can be made online by visiting http://www.rljkendejaresort.com or by calling 888.860.0338 or in-country at 022 100 100.

For media inquiries contact: Traci Otey Blunt at press@rljcompanies.com About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and founder of Black Entertainment Television, is a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, automotive, and gaming industries.

An innovative business network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets; then exercise solid management to achieve results. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with operations in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Monrovia, Liberia.

Mr. Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of the RLJ Group of Companies

World¹s Press Calls for Justice in Murder of Mexican Journalists

Barcelona, Spain, 30 May 2009
For immediate release

The World Association of Newspapers has condemned a ³climate of impunity² in Mexico that allows the killers of journalists to avoid prosecution, and has
called on President Felipe Calderon to do more to bring the murderers to justice.

³Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a reporter, editor, or publisher,² the WAN Board said in a resolution, issued during its meeting in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday (30 May).

WAN said it was ³appalled² by the murders of 29 journalists in Mexico since 2000. A further eight are missing, and many others have been attacked and
threatened.

³Most recently, on 3 May ­ World Press Freedom Day ­ Carlos Ortega Melo Samper, a journalist for the newspaper El Tiempo de Durango in northern
Mexico, was murdered by a unidentified gunman.

Shortly before he died, he had received threats from local authorities in relation to his investigative
reporting exposing corruption.

Mr Melo Samper claimed in an article that had
not yet been published that the local mayor and another senior politician would be responsible should any harm come to him.²

WAN called on President Calderon ³to do everything in his power to end all violence against journalists and to halt the climate of impunity enjoyed by
those who murder and attack them.

Welcome To Gold Star Resources

LOGO OF GOLD STAR RESOURCES

Gold Star Resources Corp. (TSX-V: GXX) is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the strategic acquisition and advancement of highly prospective West African Oil and Gas projects.

Gold Star is targeting high impact, on-shore opportunities in the proven petroleum systems through Liberia Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana and is poised to realize its goal of becoming West Africa’s premier Onshore Oil and Gas Exploration Company.

More to come on Gold Star Resources.

Delta Airline announces direct flight to Liberia starting June

DELTA AIRPLANE READY FOR BUSINESS IN LIBERIA

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) has announced that effective 9 June it will launch service between Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, via Dakar, Senegal, effective 9 June 2009, following government approval.

The weekly flight will be the only direct service to the United States from Liberia and will offer passengers convenient connections via Delta’s New York-JFK hub to around 40 business and leisure destinations including major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and Atlanta, as well as Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Delta is the only carrier operating scheduled service between the United States and Africa, and we are excited to be adding Liberia to our African network, “said Bobby Bryan, Delta’s commercial manager for West and East Africa. “Our Monrovia service will help strengthen commercial ties and tourism opportunities between both nations.”

With the launch of its June schedule, Delta Air Lines will operate from nine cities in seven African countries, namely: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal and Liberia.

“Today’s announcement is the first of many steps to strengthen and broaden the ongoing business relationship between Africa and the United States,” said Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of The RLJ Companies and owner of The RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas.

“I applaud Delta Air Lines for making the commitment to provide direct air service to Liberia which will provide economic growth opportunities to Liberia and contribute to political stability.”

Delta’s flights between Monrovia and New York-JFK, via Dakar will operate as follows:

Flight Departs Arrives Effective Frequency

DL213 Monrovia at 10 a.m. Dakar at 12:05 p.m. 9 June Weekly on Tuesdays

DL213 Dakar at 1:25 p.m. New York JFK at 5:40 p.m. 9 June Weekly on Tuesdays

DL212 New York JFK at 4.15 pm Dakar at 4.40 am* 8 June Weekly on Mondays

DL212 Dakar at 6 a.m. Monrovia at 8:05 a.m. 9 June Weekly on Mondays

*arrives the following day

The flight will be operated using a Boeing 757-200 ETOPS with up to 158 seats in Economy and 16 seats in Delta’s award winning BusinessElite class.

Delta’s sales and marketing activities will be represented by the General Sales Agent Air Partners Ltd in Liberia. Delta flights between Liberia and the U.S. are available for booking from Monday 25 May at Delta’s temporary office at UBA Bank Head Office on Broad Street or by phone on +231 (0)6 782226-9 and +231 (0) 7 782226-9. Delta’s permanent office on 5th Street, Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor will open on 1 July.

Delta will begin direct flight to Liberia starting June

Liberians in Atlanta celebrating the good news from Delta

For more information, please call Walter Skinner at 404-394-5673

About Delta
Delta Air Lines is the world’s largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 370 destinations in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year.

Delta’s marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta‘s more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

Justice Renate Winter Re-elected President Sierra Leone Special Court

UNMIL FILE: For Professionalism, UNMIL Ukrainian Peacekeepers Praised

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj Decorating one of the Ukrainian officers

Officers and members of the 56th Helicopter Detachment of the Ukrainian Aviation Unit of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have been commended for their tireless and selfless contributions that make UNMIL’s aviation functions run effectively and efficiently throughout Liberia.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj described them as “stars in the sky”, as she honored 300 Ukrainian soldiers with UN peacekeeping medals for their contribution to the consolidation of peace in Liberia.

UN Envoy Løj noted that: “All of us in UNMIL may not be fully aware of the complexity of the work you carry out, rain or shine; but you are always there, working behind the scenes, transporting the Mission’s personnel and guests, evacuating the wounded and the ailing, providing air escort and support to force movement”. Speaking further, the SRSG said the Ukrainian airmen secure the airfields, convoys and cargo, and ensure day-to-day observation of flights.

Addressing the Ukrainian aviation military personnel at their base located at Liberia’s international airport, Roberts International Airport in Margibi County, Ms. Løj thanked them for being a capable force, and for making it possible for the Mission to operate in regions of the country that face enormous infrastructural difficulties. “Your presence and actions contribute greatly to the consolidation of peace throughout Liberia”, she said.

The SRSG paid tribute to the Ukrainian Commanding Officer, Col. Volodymyr Pastukhov, for the exemplary service exhibited by officers under his command. “We fully entrust our lives in your care – in the hands of these capable officers through the 30,288 flight hours of helicopter operations that you have clocked in,” the top UN Envoy added. “I know that for you in the Aviation Unit, especially for pilots and aircrew, safety is paramount,” she said.

Concluding, Ms. Løj challenged the Ukrainian military aviation personnel to always uphold the cherished values of integrity, professionalism and respect for the people and the communities they serve.

She reminded all UNMIL personnel of the importance of maintaining the highest ideals and standards of behavior and urged them to treat the Liberian people with utmost respect and dignity. “Our actions should aim to enhance and not destroy all the hard work and sacrifices that we make daily”, the SRSG emphasized.

Attending the medal award ceremony were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu; Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. ATM Zahirul Alam; Deputy Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Carl Modey; Deputy UN Police Commissioner, Mr. Gautam Sawang; the General Manager of Roberts International Airport, Mr. Willie Jones; and other UNMIL senior military and civilian officials.

Firestone Liberia turns over hand pump to Owensgrove District

Commissioner Isaac Paytoe pumping water following the dedicatory ceremony

Citizens of the Township of Owensgrove in Lower Grand Bassa County were the proud recipients of a hand pump constructed by the Management of Firestone Liberia as part of the company’s Community Outreach Program.

Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2009, the Public Affairs Manager of Firestone Liberia, Mr. G. Rufus Karmorh, noted that “this turning over ceremony of this hand pump is therefore significant in terms of our partnership.”

He reminded the gathering that it was not the first time for Firestone Liberia to undertake projects in the township. According to Mr. Karmorh, the company had earlier constructed and installed hand pumps for the use of residents of that community.

 He disclosed that Firestone Liberia was also involved in the roofing of the Owensgrove Public School some times ago following a heavy storm that damaged the facilities of the institution.

He also disclosed that Firestone Liberia has also facilitated the provision of some implements for a clean-up campaign in the district. Mr. Karmorh further reaffirmed that Firestone Liberia will continue to be an active partner in the socio-economic development of Liberia stressing that “as I turn this key over, I urge the citizens to handle this handpump with a high degree of community participation and protection for the future up keep and maintenance.”

Accepting the keys of the hand pump, the Commissioner of Owensgrove District, Mr. Isaac Paytoe thanked the Management of Firestone Liberia for constructing the hand pump and buttressed earlier call by the youth and women representatives for Firestone Liberia to assist in the process of roofing the only market building in the area.

According to Commissioner Paytoe, since the roof of the market building was damaged, citizens of Owensgrove, especially the women, have been finding it difficult to take their goods to distant places for sale.

He called on the Management of Firestone Liberia to continue to work with citizens of Owensgrove in meeting some of their pressing development needs, noting that “we’ll always be in constructive contact with Firestone for it to help us develop our community.”

Mr. Paytoe further praised the company for the numerous contributions it has and continues to make towards the development of Owensgrove District aimed at improving the livelihood of its citizens.

Commissioner Isaac Paytoe pumping water following the dedicatory ceremony

“We hope that Firestone Liberia will continue to keep up this good partnership for the betterment of our people” the Owensgrove District Commissioner asserted. Also in attendance were the Community Affairs Superintendent of Firestone Liberia, Mr. Eric Mensah and the Staff Supervisor of the Water and Sanitation Department, Mr. Moses Coker.

President Johnson-Sirleaf Extols Zimbabwe

The President of the Republic of Liberia , Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has sent a Message of Congratulation to the President, Government and People of Zimbabwe on the auspicious occasion marking the 28^th Independence Anniversary of that country on Saturday, April 18.

 

In the message to her Zimbabwean counterpart, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President Johnson-Sirleaf said the Government and People of Liberia join me in extending heartiest congratulations and best wishes to your Excellency, Government and People in celebrating yet another milestone in that country’s history.

 

President Johnson-Sirleaf recalled the harmonious ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between the two countries and their respective peoples over the years, and wished that the brotherly people of Zimbabwe will continue to enjoy the shower of blessings under the able leadership of President Mugabe.

 

The Liberian leader assured her counterpart that the bond of friendship subsisting between Liberia and Zimbabwe will continue to grow even stronger in the years ahead.

 

Liberia’s Environmental Protection Director, Ben Dornie Is Dead

The Executive Director of the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dead.

Mr. Donie died early this morning (Saturday) after a brief illness at a local hospital here in Monrovia.

Detail will follow in our subsequent news posting