U.S. President George Bush hosts a summit on international
development Tuesday in Washington. The summit is expected to focus on
the administration's core principles that have transformed the U.S. approach to
international development by linking development assistance to results.
Among
those attending Tuesday's summit are U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
musician and activist Bob Geldof and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
President Sirleaf is expected to introduce President Bush for his remarks.
Lawrence Bropleh is Liberia's minister of information. He told VOA the special invitation to President Sirleaf is an indication of
President Bush's admiration for the Liberian President and her style of
governance.
"President
Bush believes that Liberia, under
President Sirleaf's integral leadership is quickly becoming a post-conflict
success story. The United States has got long-standing relationship with
Liberia, has invested a lot in Liberia's recovery through its funding of the
United Nations mission in Liberia, and because of the kind of leadership that
President Sirleaf has brought, the World Bank has talked about her governance
style, about her fight on corruption, and it has increased the kind of
attention that Liberia has gotten. And President Bush appreciates that, and so
he believes that as he's about to leave office, it would be a good thing to
have one more visit from President in other to talk about where Liberia is
going and how the United States can continue to be a key partner in Liberia's
development," he said.
President
Sirleaf, who according to the White House will be introducing President Bush,
will speak on the importance of country ownership and good governance.
Bropleh
said President will talk about good governance as the landmark of any nation in
trying to be post-conflict success story.
President
Sirleaf will talk about Liberia's journey and how we have tried to change the
landscape in terms of our own reforms, in terms of the governance that has come
out of Liberia, trying to fight corruption, trying to decentralize power. She
will be sharing Liberia's story and linking it to the rest of the world,"
Bropleh said.
President
Bush will leave office January 2009, and Bropleh could not say whether the Bush
administration whether President Bush has made promises to the Liberia that
have yet to be fulfilled.
"The United States is a credible
government. Its leadership, especially with President Bush, has been one that
you know you take their word to the bank. You know that Representative Jesse
Jackson, Jr. introduced a bill into the U.S. Congress that would give Liberia
well over 200 plus million dollars. President Bush and Mrs. Bush, as you know,
have got this malaria initiative and Liberia is a beneficiary. The President
Sirleaf visit to the United States will also be capitalizing on this, and as we
say, bringing home the bacon from the United States as it relates to improving
our health care delivery system," Bropleh said.
 Feedback
|
|
We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of
this report and other news and features on our website. Email your views
about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com. Please
include your name and phone number if you would like us to include your
comments on our programs. Or, telephone us and leave a message. In the US, call: (202) 205-9942.
After you hear the VOA greeting, press the number "30" and leave your opinion. We
may use it on our daily broadcasts.
|
E-mail This Article
Print Version
