The political leader of the opposition  Congress for Democratic Change, Cllr. Winston Tubman says though the Negotiating Committee between the CDC and the UP  ruled him out for the position of Foreign Minister, he would have enjoyed projecting Liberia’s image around the world as Foreign Minister.

“We ruled out that position, but I would have enjoyed executing the Foreign Minister’s Position for this country,” Tubman responded Tuesday after this paper suggested that his name was coming up in certain circles for the position.

Indicating that he was not particularly looking for a job, Cllr. Tubman said the CDC was ready and willing to work with the ruling party to move the country forward.

It had been rumored, weeks leading to the Inauguration, in certain quarters that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf would offer her defeated opponent  the top job of Foreign Minister or Justice Minister.

Immediately after the November presidential and legislative elections, the ruling UP engaged the CDC into  a series of negotiations aimed at producing an inclusive government. The CDC is reported to have made several demands including the firing of Justice Minister, Dr. Christiana Tah.

The UP subsequently rejected the CDC’s terms. Deputy Information Minister Piah divulged that during the negotiation, the CDC put forth a number of concerns, and government through its negotiation team gave the GOL’s position, stating that the “government’s position ran contrary to what the CDC wants.”

But the  Spokesman of the CDC, Mr.  George Solo,  rejected claims that  the CDC made huge demands for jobs in government.  He said the issue on the table was not about jobs, but how democracy can be enhanced for the safety of the country in future elections, adding, the negotiation between the CDC and government was about the democratization of the country.

“Our expectation now is that those who are negotiating on behalf of the CDC will go back and inform their principals as to what government’s standing is on the different kinds of issues that they’ve raised,” Mr. Solo said, noting that after that, both the GOL and CDC will return to the negotiation table in a bid to finding a resolution to the issues.

President Sirleaf has maintained that apportioning jobs to anyone would be based solely on merits and qualifications.