US Gov't to Provide US$19.75M for LNP

The visiting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William J. Burns, has disclosed that the United States Government will provide US$19.75 million this year to support the capacity of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

Mr. Burns told newsmen that the U.S. Government recognized that security is paramount to the sustainability of peace in Liberia and as such they have decided to support the police.

The US Under Secretary of State was speaking yesterday during a news conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs minutes after he had held talks with President Sirleaf and some selected ministers.

Burns, who is the U.S. Department's third ranking official and its senior career diplomat, added that his Government will continue to support the new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the judicial system in the country.

Mr. Burns told Executive Mansion reporters that he has come to reaffirm his Government's commitment to the Government and people of Liberia. He said the U.S. will encourage and support free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

On the issue of the Threshold Bill, Mr. Burns who was on a one-day working visit to Liberia, expressed hope that the bill will be passed into law because, according to him, it is the basis for free and fair elections in the country. He lauded President Sirleaf for the level of vibrant leadership and progress made in the country in a short period of time.

“When you retrospect where Liberia was three years ago, you observe that much has been achieved,” Mr. Burns stressed.

For her part, President Sirleaf said she was happy to see the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the country to see some of the progress her Government had made and the challenges the country is faced with to meet its development goal.

She praised the U.S. Government for the strong partnership given the people of Liberia, specifically in support of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) which has four pillars.

Madam Sirleaf expressed the hope that Liberia will become a post-conflict success story where the people of America will be major contributors to that success story.