Liberia's Taylor ordered cannibalism: court

I. Citation
Liberia's Taylor ordered cannibalism: court
March 14, 2008- 6:18 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/liberias-taylor-ordered-cannibalism-court/2008/03/14/1205126148596.html

II. Summary
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor faces accusations of rape, murder, mutilation, and child recruitment during a conflict expanding from 1991-2002. On account of these charges, he has pleaded not guilty. A man who described himself as a former death squad commander, Joseph Marzah, told UN authorities that under Taylor's command he has eaten the flesh of captured enemies, and even had his own process.

III.

A. This article relates to the theme of: State building, Expansion, and Conflict. It has more to do with the idea of conflict, due to the civil tensions over a decade between Liberia and Sierra Leone.

B. This civil war began in 1991 due to the Revolutionary united Front; a rebel army which recently developed into a political party. In the beginning their goal was to overthrow the Sierra Leone government, although it did not fight for any other government nor religion. At first the RUF was popular with Sierra Leoneans, but developed an international reputation of extreme cruelty during its struggle.

C. It is difficult to comprehend who wrote this article, due to the lack of a name being stated or any evidence of the author insulting anyone or any actions unnecessarily.

D. There is not much bias in this article; the author simply describes things as others have interpreted them.

E. I would like to have a 'drug-crazed rebel's ' point of view, to understand how the civilians obtained such weapons and sudden ideas to amputate other civilian's ligaments. I would also like to hear (if there are any) a survivor's point of view, to obtain more information on the President's cruelty rather than one of his past commanders, whom you can assume he might have been close to.

F. I find this article absolutely horrifying. It has opened my eyes slightly to the fact there is still severe cruelty among countries today, despite their wars and conflicts. Finding out all the terrible things they have done has reminded me of each country's hate for certain other countries, and does vaguely remind me of the Iraqi's doings: kidnapping US soldiers and holding them hostage.