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Tenth District Congressman Donald M. Payne, a member of the House International Relations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, has introduced a resolution calling for an immediate response to the crisis in Liberia, including support for the ceasefire agreed to on June 17, 2003, and for emergency humanitarian relief for the country.
The resolution specifically calls upon the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), to deploy an International Stabilization Force to Liberia.
The resolution notes that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on the United States to contribute to a multi-national stabilization force, including ECOWAS troops, to work toward bringing peace to Liberia.
In a July 2nd letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, Payne urged U.S. intervention in Liberia, noting the strong historical link between America and Liberia. He also expressed his concern over the plight of the Liberian people. “As the situation grows increasingly worse,” Payne wrote, “it is clear that Liberia is in the throes of a disaster of cataclysmic proportions and has reached a point where the U.S. must intervene militarily before the tragedy worsens.”
At a recent rally organized by the Liberian Community and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne stressed the urgency of U.S. intervention in Liberia and the need to work with ECOWAS in finding a peaceful solution to Liberia's crisis.
In discussing President Bush' trip to Africa this week, Payne emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement in Africa, not only in Liberia but around the continent, on issues ranging from conflict resolution, peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and agricultural development, to trade and investment through reducing trade barriers. Rep. Payne also highlighted the role the U.S. can play in capacity building. "I believe in supporting African solutions to African problems,” Payne said. “Now is the time for the Congress and the administration to step up to the plate to assist African organizations that have answers but lack support financially."
Payne said he will be seeking bipartisan support for his resolution among his colleagues in Congress.
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