July 25, 2003
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today called for a comprehensive approach to the crisis in Liberia and for sustained U.S. engagement in the region. She welcomed the announcement that President Bush has ordered U.S. peacekeeping troops to be deployed offshore to participate in a multilateral effort to sustain a ceasefire under the auspices of the United Nations an in cooperation with ECOWAS forces.
Lee said, “We have an emergency in Liberia, and we should be willing to do whatever possible to help end the carnage and deaths.” The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), for which Lee is Whip, has offered to travel to Africa to support peace and a ceasefire.
“American involvement in this multinational peacekeeping effort is critical,” said Lee. “The failure of the United States to act before now has cost lives.” She continued, “We have both a historical and humanitarian obligation to help forge and sustain a ceasefire, as well as address the far-reaching problems of the region. I believe that Secretary of State Colin Powell and other high-level U.S. officials should travel to Africa to participate and assist in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.”
Congresswoman Lee stated, “The U.S. mission to support peace-keeping efforts to resolve the current crisis as part of the UN operation must be part of a larger strategy: Liberia needs more than a temporary ceasefire, and our obligations run far deeper.
In addition to the short term need for a ceasefire, Lee said a larger strategy should incorporate programs designed to promote democracy; preserve human rights; expand healthcare access, including HIV-AIDS treatment and prevention; and address the social, economic, and political byproducts of years of civil war and misrule.
This strategy must address the region as a whole as national borders have proven no barrier to the chaos and war that has plagued the region.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls For Comprehensive Approach to Liberian Crisis
Calls on Secretary of State Powell to Join Peace Talks in Ghana; Supports U.S. Participation in Multinational Peacekeeping Efforts after Ceasefire Is Reached
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today called for a comprehensive approach to the crisis in Liberia and for sustained U.S. engagement in the region. She welcomed the announcement that President Bush has ordered U.S. peacekeeping troops to be deployed offshore to participate in a multilateral effort to sustain a ceasefire under the auspices of the United Nations an in cooperation with ECOWAS forces.
Lee said, “We have an emergency in Liberia, and we should be willing to do whatever possible to help end the carnage and deaths.” The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), for which Lee is Whip, has offered to travel to Africa to support peace and a ceasefire.
“American involvement in this multinational peacekeeping effort is critical,” said Lee. “The failure of the United States to act before now has cost lives.” She continued, “We have both a historical and humanitarian obligation to help forge and sustain a ceasefire, as well as address the far-reaching problems of the region. I believe that Secretary of State Colin Powell and other high-level U.S. officials should travel to Africa to participate and assist in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.”
Congresswoman Lee stated, “The U.S. mission to support peace-keeping efforts to resolve the current crisis as part of the UN operation must be part of a larger strategy: Liberia needs more than a temporary ceasefire, and our obligations run far deeper.
In addition to the short term need for a ceasefire, Lee said a larger strategy should incorporate programs designed to promote democracy; preserve human rights; expand healthcare access, including HIV-AIDS treatment and prevention; and address the social, economic, and political byproducts of years of civil war and misrule.
This strategy must address the region as a whole as national borders have proven no barrier to the chaos and war that has plagued the region.”
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