Washington, DC — The following letter, sent to President George W. Bush on August 14, has been released by Liberia Watch, a non-partisan, diverse coalition of civil society, including NGOs, private sector firms and individuals, concerned about the turmoil in Liberia and dedicated to the country's achievement of lasting peace and long-term post-conflict reconstruction. The group was established to advocate for the rapid resolution of Liberia's current crisis and to obtain political and financial support for the immediate reconstruction and long-term development of Liberia.
Dear Mr. President:
We, the undersigned, appreciate your stated concern for Liberia and commitment to ending the violence and humanitarian disaster that we are witnessing each day in that war-torn country. We also appreciate the logistical and communications assistance and the 200 troops that the U.S. military is providing to ECOWAS and the Nigerian troops on the ground, the transport and supplies offered to peacekeepers and the $10 million provided thus far to ECOMIL.
While these initiatives signal our concern, the current situation necessitates far greater U.S. military engagement, as well as a strong U.S. commitment to long-term support for peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. Renewed fighting in Monrovia alone during the past two months has caused the deaths of over 1000 civilians, while thousands of others suffer from hunger and widespread epidemics.
In our view, it is in the national interest of the United States to bring this longstanding conflict and the resultant degradation of the citizens and infrastructure of Liberia to a lasting and sustainable end. Peace in Liberia will begin to staunch the violence destabilizing the region and reduce opportunities for terrorist activities. Moreover, a stable West Africa will ensure the sub-region's ability to meet growing U.S. energy needs.
Recent developments, including the departure of Charles Taylor, appointment of Moses Blah as transitional president, arrival of the Nigerian peacekeeping forces, and the continent-wide engagement of African heads of state, give reasons for hope for Liberia's future. We, therefore, are writing to request that you act immediately to ensuring that swift and effective measures are taken by your Administration and the Congress to restore order and bring about peace and democracy in Liberia.
Mr. President, Liberia Watch*, a broad-based, non-partisan, diverse coalition of Africa-focused and other non-governmental organizations, private voluntary agencies, private sector entities and concerned individuals, urges you to: · Deploy fully the 2,300 Marines presently stationed off the coast of Liberia. · Assert U.S. leadership in the international community by fully engaging in interim security measures in Liberia, in tandem with ECOWAS, the Africa Union and the United Nations, including the provision of economic, military and diplomatic support to these bodies. · Request adequate and substantial funding from the Congress for emergency humanitarian assistance for food, medicine, clothing and shelter for the Liberian people. · Support a Liberia Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Act -- a post-conflict reconstruction plan for Liberia, bringing together the U.S. military, development and diplomatic agencies and apparatuses for the same type of reconstruction efforts that are presently underway in Iraq and Afghanistan, and have taken place in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Given your commitment to eradicating HIV/AIDS in Africa, promoting democracy and trade and advancing the interests of Africa and Africans, your leadership is essential to Liberia's receiving adequate financial, military and humanitarian support at this critical time in its history and to maintaining U.S. credibility on the continent. America's direct ties to this country, settled by freed African Americans in 1822, should propel the U.S. to action so that these longsuffering citizens can realize the dream of peace, democracy and security that their ancestors envisioned when Liberia became a nation in 1847. As the world's most prosperous and powerful nation, now is the time to demonstrate our solid commitment to, and compassion for, the people of Liberia. In so doing, we signify that we as Americans value human life in every country and every region of the world.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss further our concerns with you at your earliest convenience, Mr. President. We can be contacted through the National Council of Negro Women, 202-737-0120, at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration of our concerns and suggested actions regarding Liberia.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Irene Height, National Council of Negro Women
David Beckman, Bread for the World
Robert Berg
Jeanette Carter, Friends of Liberia
Julius Coles, Africare
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Herman J. Cohen
Vivian Lowery Derryck, Academy for Educational Development
Elaine Dunn
Mel Foote, Constituency for Africa
Reverend Edward Taylor, Sixth Presbyterian Church
Deborah A. Harding
Gay McDougal, International Human Rights Law Group
Reverend John McCullough, Church World Service
Dr. C. L. Mannings, OIC International
Fred Oladeinde, Foundation for Democracy in Africa
Bernadette Paolo, Africa Society of the National Summit
Leonard Robinson, Africa Society of the National Summit
Emira Woods
James Woods
Liberia Watch is a non-partisan, diverse coalition of civil society, including NGOs, private sector firms and individuals, concerned about the turmoil in Liberia and dedicated to the country's achievement of lasting peace and long-term post-conflict reconstruction. Organizations are listed for identification purposes only, as individuals are signatories in their personal capacities.
