PLATFORM : Where Was the U.S.? : LIBERIA

I’ve read figures of 400,000 (stranded) Liberian refugees, mostly in neighboring African countries. It’s been my understanding that the United States has pretty much told the (American) embassies not to let Liberians into the (United States).

Liberians in the Ivory Coast or in neighboring countries are not able to get visas to come to the United States, even if they have family over here. I think that’s terrible. A lot of Liberians feel that it’s basically U.S. policy in Liberia that created this situation anyway. I don’t think anybody can show you proof of that, but one thing I’ve found out in talking to Africans is that a lot of other Africans, if not their governments, are starting to re-examine their own relationship with the United States on the basis of the way the U.S. has responded to the situation in Liberia.

Because, basically, the U.S. has done nothing. Historically, Liberia is probably one of the strongest allies this country has had in Africa, maybe with the possible exception of South Africa. And basically they’ve taken a hands-off policy with the situation in Liberia. They’ve done nothing to help, and I think a lot of Africans are feeling, “Well, if they don’t help the strongest ally on the continent, how much less would they help us in a similar situation.”

There are a lot of people who felt that the U.S. had just as much right to step in there--for humanitarian reasons, if nothing else than to prevent the carnage that’s going on.