July 07, 2003
Lee said, “The departure of Charles Taylor from Liberia is just one part of a complex problem. Peace in the Western region of Africa, actually peace throughout the continent, has less to do with military intervention and more to do with substantial sustainable development.”
Democratic members of the Africa Subcommittee and members of the U.S. Liberian community together drafted legislation, to be introduced today, that focuses on the ceasefire agreement and the desperate condition of Liberians in the country. Members of the Subcommittee and the Congressional Black Caucus, over recent weeks and months, have also made repeated efforts to work with the Administration to improve the current conditions of Africans.
“Upon Bush’s return from Africa, hopefully he will translate his experiences there into policy advances here. He will see first hand how talk about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic and famine is nothing without the concrete dollars to back it up.” Lee went on to say, “It’s all very well and good that he is going to Africa; hopefully, he will see first hand how trade and aid won’t work without peace and stability. Hopefully he will exert his influence to ensure full funding for vital programs he has stated he supports.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports Bringing Peace Back to Liberia
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) a member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa called on President Bush to address not only the humanitarian crisis in Liberia, but also the serious need for humanitarian and sustainable development across the continent. Over the weekend, the Bush Administration indicated that they are considering providing humanitarian assistance and peacekeepers for Liberia. Lee stated, “The Administration’s rhetoric must turn into reality. Liberia needs a significant peacekeeping force, and the United States needs to play a role in helping create the conditions for peace and prosperity.”Lee said, “The departure of Charles Taylor from Liberia is just one part of a complex problem. Peace in the Western region of Africa, actually peace throughout the continent, has less to do with military intervention and more to do with substantial sustainable development.”
Democratic members of the Africa Subcommittee and members of the U.S. Liberian community together drafted legislation, to be introduced today, that focuses on the ceasefire agreement and the desperate condition of Liberians in the country. Members of the Subcommittee and the Congressional Black Caucus, over recent weeks and months, have also made repeated efforts to work with the Administration to improve the current conditions of Africans.
“Upon Bush’s return from Africa, hopefully he will translate his experiences there into policy advances here. He will see first hand how talk about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic and famine is nothing without the concrete dollars to back it up.” Lee went on to say, “It’s all very well and good that he is going to Africa; hopefully, he will see first hand how trade and aid won’t work without peace and stability. Hopefully he will exert his influence to ensure full funding for vital programs he has stated he supports.”
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