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Liberia - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-LIBERIA RELATIONS U.S. relations with Liberia date back to the 1820s when the first group of settlers arrived in Liberia from the United States. As early as 1819, Congress appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of Liberia (and resettlement of freemen and freed slaves from North America) by the American Colonization Society, led by prominent Americans such as Francis Scott Key, George Washingtons nephew Bushrod, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and Presidents Monroe, Adams, and Jackson. The United States, which officially recognized Liberia in 1862, shared particularly close relations with Liberia during the Cold War. The outbreak of civil war in Liberia and the long dominance of Charles Taylor soured bilateral relations. However, Liberia now counts the United States as its strongest supporter in its democratization and reconstruction efforts. Since the end of Liberias civil war in 2003, the United States has contributed some $570 million toward Liberias reconstruction and development and nearly $600 million to support the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The U.S. plans to commit another $200 million in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador--Donald E. Booth Deputy Chief of Mission--Louis Mazel Political Counselor--Silvia Eiriz Economic Counselor--Alfreda Meyers Public Affairs Officer--Meg Riggs Consular Officer--John Marietti USAID Director--Wilbur ThomasThe U.S. Embassy is located on 111 United Nations Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia, tel: 011-231-77-054825; fax: 231-77-010370.