U.S. Delegation Pays Courtesy Call On President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Liberia Government (Monrovia)

20 May 2011

A high-level delegation from the United States of America, representing the Departments of Justice, Defense, Homeland Security and State, paid a courtesy call on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia on Friday, May 20.

The delegation, which also includes six different agencies of the U.S. Government, discussed with the Liberian leader and other senior officials cooperation between Liberia and the United States to foster greater collaboration between the two countries in combating the threats which affect the governments and peoples of Liberia, the United States and other countries. These include drugs, trafficking, money laundering and other threats which continue to affect Liberia, the United States and the sub-region.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the delegation also discussed with the Liberian President the drawdown plan for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and its transitional process, and how the United States can support the process in providing maximum support to the Government and people of Liberia.

Also discussed was the increasing threat of transnational organized crime and how a regional initiative can be worked out to collectively address the problem through collaboration not only between the United States and Liberia but all fifteen ECOWAS nations, Europe, North and South America.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in welcoming the U.S. delegation, lauded the collaboration between the two countries and hoped the process would help strengthen the fight against crime and the prosecution of those engaged in criminal activities. The President said the exercise would meet an important need in Liberia’s struggle for sound financial practices.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs, and head of the delegation, Ambassador William Brownfield, expressed gratitude for the meeting and described the composition of the U.S. team as a manifestation of the importance his government attaches to the mission.

At another event, on Thursday, May 19, President Sirleaf praised the Federal Republic of Germany for its continued support toward Liberia’s development goals. The President commended the German Government for helping to spearhead efforts for debt relief, infrastructural development, and for its support for Liberia at the United Nations. The President spoke during a courtesy call by the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr. Dirk Neibel, at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia.

President Johnson Sirleaf expressed delight that Mr. Niebel was visiting Liberia to see the progress the country has made in tackling economic, governance, security and peace and security challenges as well as infrastructural development. The President said that although challenges remain, much progress has been made in putting into place the foundations for sustained peace and economic development. “We have come a long way; equally, we have a longer way to go,” the Liberian leader said.

Minister Niebel said he was impressed with the progress Liberia has made, and promised Germany’s continued support to help Liberia sustain the progress and make it irreversible. “Your attempt to build the country is very impressive,” he noted, describing as important for the continent the election of Madam Sirleaf as President. Speaking of the pending general and presidential elections in Liberia, the German Minister hoped the elections in Côte d’Ivoire and its aftermath would serve as a guide to Liberia’s elections. There was a need for all political leaders to constructively engage the process for the good of the country. The German official praised Liberia for measures taken to ensure transparency in the extractive industries by becoming the first African country to join the Initiative, and hoped greater efforts would be exerted in the fight against corruption. Germany is a major supporter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which monitors and reports revenue generated from Liberia’s forestry and mining sectors.

The German official announced that his government would provide an additional five million Euros to help improve infrastructure in Liberia’s southeast, particularly roads, schools, sanitation and agriculture.

The delegation earlier held discussions with other sector ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Public Works and Transport. The discussions, according to Foreign Minister Toga Gayewea McIntosh, touched on possible German assistance for the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) initiative and support to help Liberia tackle the refugee situation in the southeast, which the German team also visited.

The delegation includes representatives of the German Parliament and senior business executives. The team arrived Thursday on a three-day visit to inspect German development projects under the Liberia-German Development Cooperation. Germany is providing support to Liberia in the rehabilitation and construction of bridges, roads, schools and other infrastructural projects.

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