31 July 2008
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White House budget predictions show a record deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. How likely is it that Liberia could get funds, given that it presents no immediate threat to U.S. national security?
This is an authorization bill. I am confident that we will pass a bill that will authorize appropriation to the Liberian government in a structured way. The Seeds Act represents three critical areas of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government that need support and stability: economic empowerment, infrastructure, government accountability and police.
We can continue to have various appropriations to Liberia subject to other constraints, but these are the elements of her administration that are necessary for her government to survive. We may fight for other appropriations for agriculture and healthcare, but her government cannot survive without this authorization. This provides her government with the kind of stability she needs. Fighting for this authorization is another battle, but I think we will be successful.
How does authorizing these funds - $225 million – help Liberia, when the money still has to be appropriated by the Congress before any money flows that way?
This authorization allows the Sirleaf government to go to France, the United Kingdom, Germany and other G8 or G12 nations and say: 'The U.S. has made a long-term commitment to the stability of our government. We'd like your government to consider making a long-term commitment [too].' From that foundation Ellen Johnson Sirleaf can work on critical infrastructure needs, and also approach the international donor community to continue giving humanitarian assistance. But the United States, given that Liberia has such close ties [with us], should lead the way. It must provide the foundation for Sirleaf's administration and that's what this bill does. So with this authorization we're saying that for the next five years the U.S. is committing itself.
Even the political dynamic on the ground within Liberia—the ex-combatants that she deals with in her administration need to see that the U.S. is making a concerted effort through this authorization, to see that we're going to have a short-term, medium-term, and long-term relationship with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, based upon the principles of good governance she has demonstrated. It helps reestablish the credibility that Johnson Sirleaf brings to the people of Liberia at this very critical hour. President Bush has indicated that he is very interested in the survivability and the stability of the Sirleaf administration and we're confident that this bill is very consistent with the president's desires.
When you look at the map, you see other countries in the region that have also experienced conflict. So why Liberia, and not, say, Sierra Leone?
I'm not suggesting that this model should not be replicated in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly bordering states, like Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone and others that have had significant conflict. But we are suggesting that when people lay down their arms, when they democratically elect their leadership, the world's leading democracy will help and provide some stability. We think that's a particularly good signal for border states to Liberia. And Liberia's success and their new relationship with the U.S. also sends a signal that we're going to make it a success story on the continent.
There are other countries that border Liberia, that through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, through other aid programs, seek economic support. Many of those economic compacts are tied to good governance, to economic stability, to their ability to provide healthcare and education for all their people. We think that we've laid the foundation for these countries to move many of them in a similar direction. And if they want a long-term relationship with the U.S., they'll follow the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration.
How do your constituents feel about you fighting for Liberia?
Interestingly enough, I have constituents who are from Liberia. They are excited about the idea of repatriation and returning home and trying to help their motherland. As for my non-Liberian constituents, when they look at other countries that we have helped and they think about the kinship that we have with Liberia, I am of the opinion that this is something they would clearly support. They want the war in Iraq to end, they want al-Qaeda to be pursued, a real war on terror. They don't want Aids spreading in Africa and they want to do everything they can to stop its spread.
They want Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and democracy to succeed. For the first African woman to head an African state to not be successful would undermine the struggle for women on that continent for many generations. For a woman—they call her the Iron Lady of Liberia—to be successful at this, would speak volumes [coming after] generations of corrupt men on the continent. Her success speaks to the possibility of changing the social and the cultural order within many countries, including the possibility that women can serve and garner the support of the international community and bring about peace and stability. It would be a significant contribution that cannot be ignored.
We cannot afford for Liberia to fail, because if it does other countries around it might fail, and this would be unacceptable from a U.S. national security perspective. This bill is an important first step towards helping a republic that was war-torn and is now trying to move in the direction of peace and stability.
Why U.S. Should Support 'SEEDS' for Liberia
Announcement: Liberia Stabilization, Economic Empowerment, Development and Security Act
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Thanks Mr Jackson for the efforts you have made in your chambers. It will go a long way in helping the Liberian situation. But I will like to call to your mind the situation is bigger and more gvave than you may think. The USA has the money and can put Liberia back on its feet with the twinkle of the eye. Do something this time and don't fail us again. You gave [$500m] five hundred million dollars aid during the first five years of Samuel Doe's administration why not do the same for this government. You could end the Liberian war without firing a bullet but you decided Liberians should kill themselves. We look forward to seeing more direct USA financial development in the reconstruction of Liberia. Thanks.
While Mr. Jackson and I rarely, at best, agree, and in this case he (honestly) gets more credit than owed, I can not argue with the “idea”, for it is correct and right. My compliments to him on this. I would urge everyone, everywhere, to stand behind this bill. It is good for Liberia, it is good for the United States, and it is good for everyone everywhere. Liberia is on the rise, and she has always been a best friend. Bless Her. Help Her. Love Her.
While Mr. Jackson and I rarely, at best, agree, and in this case he (honestly) gets more credit than owed, I can not argue with the “idea”, for it is correct and right. My compliments to him on this. I would urge everyone, everywhere, to stand behind this bill. It is good for Liberia, it is Good for the United States, and it is Good for Everyone Everywhere. Liberia is on the rise, and she has always been a best friend. Bless Her. Help Her. Love Her.
Typical. Sirleaf has already failed her country. In the typical tradition of African political leaders, Sirleaf has taken to begging instead of mobilising labour and skills, and trading (on the terms of her own nationals).
Her regime will not last very long since it has placed its trust in America, a nation that is quickly going down.
NB: Liberia must first fix its social crises so that the spirit of manhood is restored, and so that men can find their proper place in leading families, commercial units and then the nation. Women were not created to lead men.
Stop crying about your personal problems. Women were created to lead men. Remember, without women, there would never be men. So, stop wailing because Ellen is the best for Liberia at this time. All the men could not beat her= okay.
WELL, IT IS KNOWN THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS ACTUALLY A FAILURE IS. JUST A REMAINDER, A FAILURE IS A SITUATION WHERE ONE FAILS TO PERFORM OR CARRY OUT A REASONABLE PERFORMENTS.
NOW, HOW CAN A PRUDENT PERSON SAYS THAT PRES. SIRLEAF HAS FAILED OUR COUNTRY WHEN LIBERIA'S DEBTS HAVE BEEN WAIVED, WE DO HAVE RELATIVE SECURITY AFTER MANY YEARS OF CIVIL WAR, CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE BEGUN GETTING SALARY ON TIME, THE ROADS ARE GETTING UPGRADED, MANY POTIENTIAL INVESTORS ARE PULLING IN THE COUNTRY, AMONG OTHER THINGS YET TO BE MENTIONED.
WHAT HAVE THOSE SO-CALLED LEADERS HAVE ARCHIVED PRIOR TO PRES. SIRLEAF REGIME? LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM. WELL IT IS TIME WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND BUILD OUR COUNTRY THEN TO ALWAYS STAND AT THE FENCE AND CRITIZE WHILE YOU DO NOTHING.
PRES. SIRLEAF I AM PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION, IT IS SINCERE HOPE THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS AND YOUR ENEMIES WILL CONTINUE LIVING IN SHAME AND ALWAYS BE DEPRESSED.
Please stay on point...this has NOTHING to do with whether a man should be the "annoited one" to rule, or whatever. The current discussion is about Mr. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s bill currently before Congression for consideration. Please get ti right, my friend.
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I want to first of all congregate Hon. jackson for the bold move on behave of Liberia in these difficult times of the taht nation. Liberia is dying need of economic, security, social, and financial assistance at this time, after 14 years of civic war and destruction inforstructures and human lives, she need the helping hands of the superpower and leader of the free world to get on its feet. President Sirleaf has the ideal to carry on the task of nation building but need the help of the United States- with such a proposal from congressman Jackson to move forward. The true stabilization of the economic frabic and the nation as a whole require jobs for the citizenary, which will assist former combatants to take their minds from the survival through the gun to being skillful with their hands for living. It is my prayer that congress will pass this bill and Liberia move forward once again. Regards, Eddie