Liberia -- Progress on Democratization
State Department Press Release

Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage met on September 24 with Mr. Charles Guyde
Bryant, Chairman of Liberia's National Transitional Government. Chairman Bryant
outlined progress made to date in disarming former combatants and preparing for
elections in 2005. He noted the need to further support security, economic
reform, and democratization in Liberia, and called urgently for countries to
fulfill the pledges made during last February's Reconstruction Conference. The
Deputy Secretary congratulated the Chairman on his presentation to the United
Nations General Assembly on September 22. The Deputy Secretary underscored the
United States' strong support for the reconstruction of a democratic Liberia
and commended Chairman Bryant for his government's efforts to effect
responsible and transparent management of the diamond and timber industries.
The Deputy welcomed the Chairman's initiatives and said the U.S. government
would continue to work with Liberia with a view toward lifting relevant U.N.
Security Council sanctions as quickly as possible. The Deputy Secretary noted
that the U.S. government would also explore ways to provide additional
assistance for reintegrating former combatants into Liberian society and would
encourage our international partners to assist with this as well.

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