Political Quotes

“Liberia and Other Refugee Relief Efforts January 9, 1991 The President has taken two important steps which underline our concern for the beleaguered people of Liberia and our desire that there should be a peaceful settlement to the problems of that country. On January 2, the President approved release of $6.0 million from the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund (ERMA) to meet urgent humanitarian needs of Liberian refugees. This is in addition to earlier U.S. contributions of $73 million for humanitarian assistance programs for Liberian conflict victims. Of this amount, $63.9 [million] was in food assistance and $9.1 million was in cash contributions and relief supplies to international and private voluntary organizations for their relief efforts in the region. On January 7, the President approved a Department of State request to provide the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) with $2.8 million in economic support funds for its peacekeeping and humanitarian relief activities in Liberia. This assistance will be limited to nonlethal support for ECOWAS peacekeeping operations and for related humanitarian relief activities in Liberia. Our contribution to ECOWAS reflects United States support for ECOWAS objectives in Liberia--a ceasefire, the formation of an interim administration, and the holding of free and democratic elections. These objectives offer the best formula for a peaceful solution to the conflict.…”