The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
26 February 2008
Monrovia — Barely four days after the visit of the United States President George W. Bush to Liberia, Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio says corruption, bad governance, lack of accountability, among others, were major reasons why the American President did not make any financial commitment to Liberia.
Speaking to journalists Monday at his weekly press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Badio said Liberia was lagging behind in meeting benckmarks set by the United States to get such financial assistance.
He named the benckmarks as accountability, good governance, transparency, among other democratic practices.
Badio said unless Liberia can meet these benckmarks, it would be behind in assessing fundings from the United States.
He stressed, "if we do not meet these benchmarks, it will be difficult to convince American taxpayers to send their money here."
According to him, Ghana, Tanzania and other countries where President Bush made financial commitment to, have met the required benchmark of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) thus qualifying them to get such financial support.
The Press Secretary said corruption was the major issue in Liberia especially at the Freeport of Monrovia where, according to him, importers find difficulties to clear their goods.
Badio said the fight against corruption was key to Liberia getting financial support from the international community and, as such, every well meaning Liberian should get involved in the process.
He pointed out that since the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to power, it has not recieved any budgetary support from the United States.
However, he said, the United States has provided and continues to provide more support to Liberia's infrastructure development and security sector reform, including training of the new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Mr. Badio also disclosed that the United States was providing US$200 million annually in assessed contributions to fund the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
He said during bilateral talks between President Johnson-Sirleaf and her American counterpart, President Bush promised to continue providing funding for the United Nations peackeeping operations in Liberia as well as training of the country's security sector reform.
The Press Secretary said the commitment by the American leader to provide more assistance for Liberia's security sector reform is in addition to the US$139 million the United States has provided between fiscal year 2004-2007 toward government's reform program of the country's military.
Regarding infrastructure, he said President Johnson-Sirleaf discussed with President Bush Liberia's energy sector, particularly the damaged Mt. Coffee Hydro and the need to have it operational.
Badio said the President also discussed the need to create more jobs for the people of Liberia through the private sector which is the main engine to propel the Liberian economy and provide more employment opportunities.
"President Bush holds similar views and is of the belief that the United States could play a leading role in helping government to tackle some of these pressing problems; he has now gone back to reflect and consult with other government functionaries what needs to be done to help President Sirleaf and her government achieve these objectives," Badio stated.
In another development, Mr. Badio said President Bush told his Liberian counterpart that the United States did not have any problem with Liberia doing business with China.
According to him, President Bush said if Chinese companies are offering better deal to Liberia than American companies, Liberia can do business with the Chinese companies.
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