US says verdict against Taylor is a "strong message"

The verdict against former Liberian President Charles Taylor on Thursday "sends a strong message" to all war criminals, said the United States, promising full support to the ongoing trial. "The Special Court's verdict sends a strong message to all perpetrators of atrocities, including those in high positions of power, that will be judged," said State Department spokesman, Victoria Nuland, in a statement. Nuland said the trial has "an enormous historical and legal significance" because Taylor is "the first head of state tried by a powerful international court accused of mass atrocities and serious violations of international humanitarian law." "America has been a strong supporter and major donor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) since its inception. The successful completion of the Special Court's work remains a priority of the U.S. government," he added. For his part, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the verdict against Taylor TESL, noting that this "represents an important step for international justice." The work of the SCSL "is an excellent model of cooperation with United Nations to bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes," said Ban. Taylor was taken on Thursday "criminally responsible" for crimes against humanity during the war in Sierra Leone (1996-2001), supporting and arming the rebels in that country. Former President of Liberia (1997-2003) created and launched a campaign of terror to control Sierra Leone and its diamonds to exploit during a civil war that left 120,000 dead between 1991 and 2001.