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Liberian Presidential Candidate Beyan's Party is Certified

   Gladys Beyan says her Grassroots Democratic Party of Liberia will be
   victorious in October elections

   James Butty  April 28, 2011

   Liberia's National Elections Commission Wednesday certified the
   Grassroots Democratic Party of presidential hopeful Gladys Beyan to
   contest the October presidential poll.

   Map of Liberia

   Beyan says she and her supporters are elated and believe that their
   party will be victorious in this year's election.

   'I and my supporters we are very, very happy. This is a victory for us.
   Today [Wednesday), the Grassroots Democratic Party of Liberia is now a
   full-fledged political party of Liberia, and we believe that we're
   going to the elections, by God's grace, and we're going to win this
   election,' she says.

   Beyan says her newly certified party has supporters in most of
   Liberia's 15 political subdivisions. She appeals for financial and
   logistical support from her supporters.

   'We are praying that we will get some help financially; we have the
   numbers, but we need logistics. Right now, we need to establish offices
   in all the counties and we need to prepare to launch the party. Then,
   after the launching, we have to have a convention. All of these things
   cost money,' Beyan says.

   Beyan says she is willing to work with other parties, but only if such
   collaboration does not compromise what she calls the interests of
   Liberians.

   'We really don't mind to work with other parties as long as nothing
   will compromise the interest of the Liberian people. Also, there have
   been so many coalitions and so many mergers, but they merge today and
   the next day it breaks apart. So, that has confused me a lot,' she
   says.

   Beyan says her vision is to make Liberia a better country because she
   says Liberians are not faring well under the government of President
   Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

   'Liberia is not better at all. Liberians are suffering; they are
   suffering from hunger, poverty, diseases. Liberians are suffering, and
   we have no business to be suffering in this country at this time. It
   can be better. We can improve the social life of the Liberian people,'
   She says.

   Beyan says she's running for president because past and present
   governments have squandered the country's resources.