United States Ambassador Presents Letters of Credence

Executive Mansion Press Release - Wednesday, 27th August 2008

Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has paid tribute to the United States of America for its continuous support to Liberia. U.S-Liberia relations, she noted, has helped Liberia improve in many sectors of development as it aims to become a post-conflict success story.

The President made the commendation today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when she received the Letters of Credence of Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Liberia. She traced the genesis of Liberia’s relations with the United States, saying interactions between both countries dates back to the birth of Liberia as a nation.

The Liberian leader pledged her commitment to proper accountability and transparency, citing her recent signing of the Act into Law establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission. She said U.S. President George Bush’s recent visit to Liberia is a vindication of the progress made by her Government’s commitment to strengthening U.S.-Liberia’s relations. The President commended Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield for what she referred to as her instrumentality in promoting programs from which Liberia is now benefiting.

For her part, the newly accredited American envoy praised the Johnson Sirleaf Administration for successes achieved thus far, but added that more needs to be done. Liberia, she noted, must continue to grow with its civil society and independent media strengthened in order to fight corruption. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed the hope that with collective commitment, a new Liberia of equal opportunities will prevail. She revealed that Liberia is the second largest recipient of financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), adding that with unlimited potential at the country’s disposal, there is no reason why Liberia cannot be what she referred to as ‘an economic tiger in West Africa.’

Present at the ceremony were Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele, members of the Legislature, officials of the United States Embassy in Liberia and the media.