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US Gov't Committed Restructuring Armed Forces, Says Col. Mortha

The Analyst (Monrovia)
NEWS
May 25, 2004
Posted to the web May 25, 2004

By George Borteh

The spokesman for the United States Government 5-man assessment team currently
visiting Liberia, Col. James Thompson Mortha has disclosed that his government
is committed to restructuring the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Col. Mortha noted that in every nation, security of the people is a primary
concern, especially so when Liberia is coming out of the ashes of war for 14
years.
The US military spokesman said that the US government was also committed to
establishing what he called "well trained and structured security system." He
told reporters at the Defense Ministry on Benson Street that the State
Department through the military high command has requested an assessment
mission to Liberia to begin working out modalities on how the restructuring of
the AFL would be carried out.
Col. Mortha said there are two main goals they hope to consider in the
restructuring exercise of the AFL.
He named the goals as creating stability in the Liberian society and the
manning of the borders in order to prevent outside aggression.
Giving a gist of what they hope to do, Col. Mortha noted that recommendations
from the High Command of the AFL based on what he termed "mission requirements"
would be prioritized. This, he said is intended to build a long term and
sustainable force.
Based on the successfulness of their job, he indicated that they have been
meeting with top government officials who have a stake in the restructuring
process.
"As we know, the AFL should have been disbanded and restructured; all illegal
militias also disbanded and a new army formed, but this was not done," he
reflected.
However, Col. Mortha said: " It is in pursuit of this task that the traditional
friend of Liberia, the United States of America has decided to help with ideas,
money and everything necessary to make sure that the armed forces of Liberia is
restructured to the letter."

   

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