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Liberia: U.S. Commander Identifies Threats
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Patrick K. Wrokpoh
Captain John Nowell, Commodore for the African Partnership Station (APS), said after visiting countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Gabon, Cameroon, Sao Tome and Principe and now Liberia over the last six months, it has now become clear that the nations of Western and Central Africa, America and Europe, share a common vision of regional prosperities, security, stability and peace.
Speaking yesterday at the Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town where APS donated drugs worth US$3million to the hospital, the JFK and the Logan Town Clinic, Captain Nowell said the entire idea behind the APS initiative, is that it seeks to cultivate what he called, "African Solutions," to the problems of the continent, by improving the capability to African nations to secure their own maritime environment; meet the needs that leaders of the continent have articulated in communiqué and conferences.
Captain, Nowell told the well-attended ceremony, which was graced by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, United States Ambassador, Donald Booth, officials of the Liberian government and military officials of the USA among others, said the APS training across Africa has been centered on four primary areas that is critical to the development of maritime safety and security; training maritime professionals; building maritime infrastructures as well as generating maritime response and enforcement capability.
He added that APS is based on the strong and transparent partnership to enhance regional stability and security and engagement to build trust, something which he noted can improve maritime security.
According to him, the continuous presence and interaction can require cultural awareness and mutual trust be achieved as staff of APS are learning from their Africa partners, who are in turn learning from them.
For his part, Deputy Defense Minister, Othello Warrick, welcomed the operation of the APS in the country, stressing that it is a clear manifestation of the level of cooperation between the people of Liberia and the United States.
Minister Warrick said as Liberia emerged into what he called, "new democracy," what the government and people of Liberia would like to request from the US government, is to assist Liberia build the requisite capacity, so that as the United States government leaves or in anticipation of the comprehensive draw down plan of UNMIL take effect, the country would be able to undertake all of those tasks facing the nation relative to sustaining the nation's peace and stability.
He urged the US government not to only provide technical assistance to the new Liberian army but to also provide military training opportunities for members of the army so that they can be able to serve in the various capacity should the US and UNMIL leave.
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Also speaking at the occasion, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lauded the services of APS in Liberia for rendering sacrifices services to Liberians especially those that need such service must.
She used the occasion to extend a hand of friendship for what it has done in the country thus far in responding to the needs of the Liberian people.
For his part, United States Ambassador, Donald Booth said the APS would facilitate the US$3million drug-supply to the hospital donated by the private sector in the USA, and would in addition provide training to staff in the medical sector.
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