10 July 2003
Congress Urged to Press White House for Decision on Liberia
(Humanitarian groups describe first-hand experiences to Human Rights
Caucus) (800)
By Jamie Martin
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- As the world awaits President Bush's decision whether to
send American troops to help bring peace to war-torn Liberia,
humanitarian experts, armed with first-hand accounts of the horrific
conditions in the country, urged members of Congress July 9 to use
their leadership to press the White House to become more involved.
[President Bush said July 9 that the United States will "be involved"
in Liberia -- he has repeatedly said that President Charles Taylor
must leave Liberia and has now deployed a U.S. Department of Defense
assessment team to Liberia to recommend future coordination with
peacekeeping forces of the Economic Organization of West African
States (ECOWAS) and the U.N.]
The Congressional Human Rights Caucus held a members' briefing,
"Liberia: A Case for Intervention?," that allowed humanitarian and
human rights experts on Liberia to educate members of Congress on the
current human rights situation in Liberia.
Although members of Congress, many of whom belong to the caucus,
expressed different opinions on a course of action, they all agreed an
immediate solution is needed for the people of Liberia.
Representative Thomas Tancredo (Republican, Colorado) said, "No one
doubts the seriousness of the problems in Liberia. We shouldn't let
this conflict go on for one more minute."
Citing the long-term relationship the United States has had with the
African nation since it was created by and for freed American slaves
in the middle 1800's,Representative Bobby Rush (Democrat, Illinois)
stated, "Liberia is close to the hearts of African Americans. We
shouldn't turn our backs on this country when it has helped us so much
in the past."
Humanitarian experts, hoping for more immediate action in Liberia,
described to the caucus the realities of the current conflict as well
as the deplorable human conditions that the conflict has engendered.
Robert Warwick, regional director for West Africa for the
International Rescue Committee (IRC), described the situation in the
Liberian capital of Monrovia: "The city is overflowing with Liberians
fleeing the war, and relief operations are severely hampered by poor
security, restricted movement and inadequate resources."
In an already poverty-stricken nation with an infrastructure and
economy in collapse, the current civil unrest in Monrovia specifically
has forced millions of Liberians to flee their homes, he said, and
they and the relief organizations face widespread hunger and disease.
Although relief efforts are the only hope for these people, Warwick
told the members of Congress, the IRC has halted their humanitarian
relief efforts in Liberia due to fighting. Warwick said Liberia is not
safe for humanitarian workers and complained that no successful
efforts have been made to provide that safety.
"Unarmed aid workers have no protection other than their actual and
perceived impartiality and independence from the conflict," he noted.
"Recent attacks against aid workers highlight the complete disregard
for humanitarian law by combatants toward civilians.
"Only the international community can provide a secure environment at
this point in time -- and time is running out for thousands of
Liberians being denied access to aid," he declared.
Another humanitarian group, Friends of Liberia (FOL), also testified
and sought the immediate establishment of a multinational
stabilization force led by the U.S. in Liberia and the West Africa
region. Jeanette Carter, a member of FOL and an eyewitness to the
Liberian conflict as a former professor at the University of Liberia,
said, "The United States should take a strong, proactive leadership
role in the international community to help guide the cease-fire and
the transition to a democratic government."
Carter described to Congress her "horrifying" first-hand experience as
an American citizen in Liberia. "I was still in Monrovia in July 1990
when [rebel forces] attacked the city. My house was filled with
Liberians to whom I had given refuge. Armed men terrorized my
household and killed two of the men who were hiding in a neighboring
house.... In 1990, 1993 and 1996 my personal property was looted, like
many Liberians'. In 1990 I left Liberia after being advised not to
return because I had become a target of the Taylor government."
"Because of these personal experiences," she told the members of
Congress, "I well understand the feeling, especially of fear and
desperation, that Liberians are experiencing today. Liberians are
calling on the United States and the international community to help
them break this cycle of abusive rule and to return the country to
civilian rule."
Concluding, she told the lawmakers, "Liberians want to be able to live
productive, secure lives and to be able to raise their children in an
atmosphere free from fear and intimidation.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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