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US Denies Support for Violent Actions - Suspends Visa Services

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
January 7, 2002
Posted to the web January 8, 2003
Monrovia
The United States Embassy near Monrovia has described as false, allegations
that its Government is supporting violent actions against the Government of
Liberia and its leaders.
As a result of these allegations, the Embassy issued a press release yesterday
saying that the Liberian Government had called for a public demonstration
against U.S. Policy towards Liberia which might take place on or about January
8.
The release said in view of these developments, the Embassy has suspended all
visa services as a measure to ensure public safety, and would resume operations
once the security situation improves.
The Embassy then urged American citizens to register with the consulate if they
have not already done so.
Regarding the Embassy's position, Justice Minister Koboi Johnson told The NEWS
yesterday that if a request were to be made to grant permit for a public
demonstration against U.S. Policy, he would grant such request.
The Minister said he would grant a request for a public demonstration against
the U.S. policy because the Liberian constitution provides the right for people
to speak out the ills that hurt them.
"We hope that when they request of us, the people that will be given the permit
would be made to understand that this is not an anti American demonstration,
but a demonstration against American policy towards the Government of Liberia,"
Minister Johnson stressed.
He emphasized that though no request for a public demonstration against the
American policy has been made, however, he said the Ministry of Justice would
not hesitate to grant such a permit if the request is made.
The Minister clarified that there was a suspension on public demonstration due
to security reasons, but that government would grant the Liberian people the
right to demonstrate.
In December, President Charles Taylor called for a public demonstration against
U.S. policy towards Liberia, arguing that the policies were hurting the people
and the country. He made the call at the Parlour of the Executive Mansion
during a program to light the Christmas Tree.
During the program, the President said American policy towards his government
has proven harmful and that such as policy is not helping to move the Liberian
people from degradation.
However, explaining further, the Justice Minister said the President was urging
the citizens to know the severity of these policies and the demonstration
against these policies that continue to hurt Liberians and keep them down
perpetually as a people and country.

   

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