Letter from Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick
to President Bush

July 22, 2003

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20502

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to express the concerns of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regarding the serious humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in the West African country of Liberia. We understand that you are presently considering the pros and cons of sending peacekeeping forces to Liberia. It is of the utmost urgency that United States troops be sent to Monrovia to keep the warring parties from continuing to slaughter the civilian population. It is also urgent that sufficient resources be committed to this peacekeeping effort to make a difference on the ground, particularly in disarming those who have been terrorizing the country for too long. The United States Government must also provide needed logistical and financial support to the West African forces of ECOWAS that are willing to intervene in Liberia but lack the material means to do so. Finally, we urge the United States government to provide humanitarian aid in the form of food and medical relief assistance to the population affected by the war.

Our church partners in Liberia are involved in facilitating negotiations currently unfolding in Accra, Ghana and in Dakar, Senegal, together with representatives of other major religions in Liberia. They have called upon U.S. churches and the broad religious community in the U.S. for support in their efforts for peace and for the provision of humanitarian aid to the population. However, it is not possible for aid workers to intervene in Liberia today as long as the fighting continues and indiscriminately targets civilians.

Our religious partners have conveyed to us the desperate situation affecting the population particularly in the city of Monrovia where fierce fighting is taking place between rebel factions, and government troops and pro government militia fighters. In recent weeks as the war has closed in on Monrovia, the civilian population has not only been put under siege but has also been held hostage by the warring parties. There have been widespread killings, rapes, and looting of innocent and unarmed people. Tremendous destruction is taking place as can be confirmed by reports from the Unites States embassy in Monrovia as well as by press reports from the United States and international media.

Mr. President, once peace is restored to Liberia, which shares important historical ties with the United States, our churches and ecumenical aid agencies will be able to help bring the much needed relief to ease the suffering of the Liberian people. We urge you to take action without more delay, lest more innocent people fall victim of this ruthless and vicious civil war.

May God grant you the strength and courage to do everything possible in the cause of peace in Libera.

Cordially yours,

Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly