Monrovia — "The United States is proud to support you. We are proud to be your partner and friend." These were the words U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed to the national legislature in Monrovia in a speech that was full of praise for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her administration.

"In just three years, there are encouraging signs of progress. Your nation has adopted sound fiscal policies with the support of this legislature," she said. "You have begun to attack corruption and promote transparency."

She said the country's economy continues to grow in spite of the global crisis, and she noted steps being taken to tackle corruption.She acknowledged that many Liberians need jobs,electricity and housing, and said: "Law enforcement is still inadequate. And after years of lawlessness, institutions have been left crippled." But she said that, given the progress that the country has made so far, Liberian should strive to "continue up the mountain together."

With forces at work trying to undermine progress and "fuel old tensions and feuds," Clinton said she nevertheless sees reasons for optimism. "One thing I know for sure is that Liberia has the talent, the resources and the resilient to succeed." Liberia has the opportunity to be a model not just for Africa, but for the world, she said.

To become that model, Clinton suggested that the legislature should pass a code of conduct for its members and adopt an electoral "threshold bill" to ensure free and fair elections in 2011.

After her speech, Clinton visited the police training academy to announce "additional and accelerated U.S support for the police." And she expressed continuing U.S. commitment to assisting Liberia as it moves towards a 'positive, progressive agenda."

"We have supported you for many years," she said, "but now our support is really grounded in our confidence in your capacity, your competence to deliver." She said the United States is committed to helping 'Lift Liberia' - the assumed name of the country Poverty Reduction Strategy paper that many have called the bible of the Sirleaf administration. The United States governemnt has provided over $2 billion dollars in assistance since the peace accord in 2003, Clinton said in her speech.