Washington, DC— On the eve of Nigerian President Obasanjo’s meeting with President Bush, Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (CA-33rd) issued the following statement on the disappearance of exiled Liberian leader Charles Taylor from Nigeria before he could be turned over to stand trial for war crimes:

“I am saddened by the failure of President Obasanjo to comply fully with his responsibility to hand over Charles Taylor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.  As everyone knows, the United Nations Security Council has mandated that all member states must comply with indictments handed down by the Special Court. 

“Charles Taylor is responsible for some of the most heinous crimes to be inflicted on the people of West Africa.  The Government of Nigeria bears responsibility for Taylor's disappearance.  We here in Congress expect that President Obasanjo will fix this problem by the time he meets with President Bush tomorrow.  Otherwise, it will be difficult to predict what damage will be done to U.S./Nigeria relations.  It is  my hope that the African Union will immediately issue a statement in support of Taylor’s capture and extradition to Sierra Leone.

“It should also be clear to any government that seeks to provide refuge to Charles Taylor that such a move would be a violation of justice and the will of the international community.  Charles Taylor should have only one destination on his itinerary at this point: the Special Court in Sierra Leone.

“War criminals such as Slobodan Milosevic and Saddam Hussein have been put on trial for their crimes against humanity.  Yet during the same time, Charles Taylor has lived in luxury on a Nigerian estate.  Now he could be anywhere.  The message we risk sending is that European and Middle Eastern despots will be brought to justice and African despots will be given ocean side villas and a head start when justice calls.

“I have no doubt that Taylor's intent is to restart the only successful career he has ever known, that of a terrorist warlord.  For the sake of peace, security, and justice, Charles Taylor must go on trial at the Special Court in Sierra Leone.

“President Bush should immediately use his authority to offer a reward for information leading to Taylor’s capture.”