30 October 2003
U.S. Official Pledges Continued U.S. Involvement in Liberia
Focus is on humanitarian assistance to end cycle of violence
By Colleen Flanagan
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- The United States is "encouraged by the results" in Liberia, says John R. Nay, the director of the Office of Regional and Security Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and will remain a visible and vocal presence in the peace process in the country.
"The United States will continue to play an important role working with other international donors," pledged Nay, "but the international community will only respond to the needs of Liberia if the United Nations continues to lead."
In his address to the fourth annual African Women's and Children's Health Symposium at the World Bank on October 29, Nay highlighted the next steps that the State Department will take in Liberia in cooperation with Gyude Bryant, the leader of the two-year transitional government.
"Secretary Powell supports Bryant, and applauds the seriousness with which he approaches his new role," explained Nay. "We look forward to his eventual visit to Washington, and we are eager to work with him to lift the bilateral assistance restrictions and to create conditions whereby the United Nations Security Council can promptly lift sanctions to promote Liberia's reconstruction and participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)."
Nay told his audience that the United States, according to the data of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is the largest aid provider to Liberia, followed by the Netherlands.
(The U.S. commitment to Liberia extends beyond diplomatic support. Of key concern to U.S. officials are the thousands of displaced persons in Liberia and surrounding countries. In fiscal year 2003, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) pledged $16.7 million in food assistance. For fiscal year 2004, USAID has already pledged $11.7 million in assistance.)
Nay also addressed some of the problems facing the peace process in Liberia. "A top priority is the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration into society of all combatants," he explained, "thereby depriving [former Liberian President Charles] Taylor and other warlords of the ability to renew the cycle of violence."
Former combatants -- the men, women, and children who were forced to fight in the civil war -- are of great concern to officials, he said. According to Nay, until the former combatants are fed, disarmed, and employed, they will continue to harass citizens.
Nay said that many of the former combatants will be recruited to rebuild Liberia's aging or destroyed infrastructure. He noted that the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also started a literacy program in Liberia. Both of these programs, he said, will redirect the focus of many Liberians away from fighting and towards future prospects of re-growth and education.
"Security," according to Nay, "is the key to resolving the humanitarian crisis and preparing a way for a smooth political transition."
Ultimately, Nay said, continued American involvement in Liberia is crucial to the United States' relationship with other African countries, and to its relations with European countries as well.
"Indeed, if the United States had walked away from the country it had helped to create, the international community would have doubted the depth of our commitment to Africa," said Nay.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=October&x=20031030175149naganalfc0.6122248&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
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