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United States assures Liberia of its commitment

By Bridgett Milton

United States Ambassador to Liberia Mr. Michael A. McCarthy has assured Liberians of his country’s commitment to the historic partnership between the two countries, as the Embassy celebrates the U.S. 246 years of Independence.

Speaking at the ceremony Thursday, 30 June 2022, Amb. McCarthy said people often describe Liberia and the United States as partners or family.

In families, he said, siblings help each other, they defend each other, they criticize each other, and like in the U.S. and Liberia today, they celebrate together.

“I am proud this afternoon to stand with a fellow republic, a democracy that like us, is required to listen to the people in, a never-ending effort to become a more perfect union,” said Amb. McCarthy.

“Both countries lived through terrible civil wars, and I believe, came out the other end as more equal societies.”

Because of those years of chaos, the U.S. Envoy said Liberians understand the importance of peace and the value of human rights more than most people.

He said he suspects that awareness is what inspired Liberia’s vote at the United Nations calling out the unprovoked and barbaric war instigated by Russia against Ukraine, and fuels Liberia’s courageous statements in defense of oppressed people currently imprisoned in concentration camps. 

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Talking about the global COVID – 19 crisis, Amb. McCarthy noted that Liberia has thankfully been spared much of the tragedy that the U.S. experienced.

But he cautioned that they still need to continue their vigilance, encourage families and friends to get vaccinated and listen to the advice of the health experts.

He explained that on COVID the United States assistance to Liberia through this pandemic reflects the importance of a relationship stretching back 200 years. 

He said to date, the U.S. has provided more than 1.5 million doses of vaccines, along with research, program support, and expert advisors.

The U.S. diplomat continued that these critical investments build upon a partnership that defeated Ebola, and teamwork that is well prepared for future public health emergencies.

According to Amb. McCarthy, learning about and seeing first-hand the impact of U.S. assistance and partnership in Liberia has been his biggest reward since his arrival here in January 2021. 

He said over the last 18 months, he’s proud to have had the opportunity to visit the majority of Liberia’s 15 counties, despite the pandemic and West Africa’s famous rainy season.

Throughout that travel, he said experiencing the great diversity of Liberia, he also saw the common values that knit this country together and these are values very familiar to him as they are democratic values in common with the United States. 

For his part, Liberian President George Manneh Weah congratulated United States on its 246 years of Independence.

He said history has bound the two nations together in culture, democracy and human rights, adding that Liberia remains proud of that common value.

Mr. Weah added that Liberia will continue to partner with the United States of America. —Edited by Winston W. Parley

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