*EPF414 07/10/2003
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 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 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 the United States 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 Congressional 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, but 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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