Liberia - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"U.S. relations with Liberia date back to the 1820s when the first group of settlers arrived in Liberia from the United States. As early as 1819, Congress appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of Liberia (and resettlement of freemen and freed slaves from North America) by the American Colonization Society, led by such statesmen as Francis Scott Key, George Washington’s nephew Bushrod, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and presidents Monroe, Adams, and Jackson. The United States, which officially recognized Liberia in 1862, shared particularly close relations with Liberia during the Cold War. The outbreak of civil war in Liberia and the long dominance of Charles Taylor soured bilateral relations. However, Liberia now counts the United States as its strongest supporter in its democratization and reconstruction efforts. In fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the U.S. contributed over $880 million, including more than $520 million to support the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Another $90 million has gone for assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons. The U.S. is committing another $270 million for fiscal year 2006, making a total of some $1.16 billion for fiscal years 2004-06." US State Department

"We advise against all but essential travel to Liberia. If on essential business, you should ensure that you are supported by a reliable organisation with a comprehensive and adequate security plan. You should familiarise yourself with your organisation’s security plan and follow it all times, and monitor the security situation (eg on UNMIL radio 91.5FM). We advise against spending the night outside Monrovia." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Liberia says...

"I know of the struggle because I have been a part of it, I recall the inhumanity of confinement, the terror of attempted rape." Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia