Monrovia – The Ministry of National Defense says it has noted with utmost dismay a barrage of publications in recent times by a newspaper relative to what the paper published as late arrival of Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Daniel D. Ziankahn at an official United Nations (UN) program.
In a statement signed by David K. Dahn, Assistant Defense Minister/Public Affairs the Ministry stated that the lifting of the story has been followed by series of editorials on the Army General.
“The Ministry of National Defense wishes to respond to those publications (June2, June 6, and June 13, 2016) by providing the following traceable facts for public verdict:
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) invited Brigadier General Daniel D. Ziankahn at a ceremony slated for Friday, 27 May, 2016, 0900 hours at the Pan African Plaza in Monrovia as part of a global program to honor peacekeepers”, the statement issued by the Ministry stated.
Providing clarification, the Ministry stated that the Chief-of-Staff (COS) Ziankahn arrived half hour ahead of the 0900 hours commencement timetable, was received by UNMIL Force Commander Major General Salihu Zaway Uba and both men proceeded upstairs in M/Gen Uba’s office to discuss UNMIL’s transition and other official matters.
According to the Defense Ministry at the appropriate time both generals were advised by UNMIL’s protocol to move downstairs and as a matter of military courtesy, were rendered the customary ‘military rendition’ by the band and troops.
“With all due respect to the UN, it was not the intent of the Honorable Defense Minister to appear late at the official function, but it was due to an official representation on behalf of the Commander-in Chief at a funeral of the son of the venerated Judge Luvenia-Ash Thompson.
Understandably, Minister Samukai was several minutes beyond schedule”, added the Defense Ministry statement.
The Ministry further explained that at no time, neither Brigadier General Ziankahn nor any member of his office staff ever established any communication link (whether through letter or phone calls) with the Daily Observer Publisher Kenneth Y.Best, inviting or summoning him.
Continued the statement “It was Assistant Defense Minister/Public Affairs, David K.Dahn and later, Deputy Defense Minister/Administration and then acting Defense Minister, Joseph F. Johnson, who established phone contacts with Mr. Best regarding Daily Observer’s publications while clarifying that the requested meeting was to come and see the ‘Acting Minister’ to state the facts.
Mr. Best and Minister Dahn had agreed to a proposed meeting on Monday June 6, 2016. That meeting didn’t materialize because Mr. Best claimed that he was advised by his lawyer not to do so. Mr. Best, however, advised the Defense Authority to do a rebuttal and the Daily Observer will publish it”.
The Ministry has maintained that the Armed Forces of Liberia remain un-detracted, professionally focused and committed to executing its mandate within the ambit of the constitution and in consonance with UN as UNMIL draws down.