• Multimedia
• Blog
• Subscribe
• What's New
• Contact Us
• Archive

Bookmark

• Topic
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L

  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • XYZ

  
  Select the list of topics to display.
• Country
  • A-B
  • C-E
  • F-K
  • L-O
  • P-S
  • T-Z
  • Regions

  Please choose a country or other area, or a Region.
• Publication Type
• Speaker
  • A-C
  • D-K
  • L-R
  • S-Z
• Date
  • • Most Recent
    • Past 7 days
    • Past 90 days

Inspection of Embassy Monrovia, Liberia (ISP-I-02-23)

 

 

U.S. relations with the Liberian regime of President Charles Taylor are strained and likely to remain so for some time. However, the United States has long-term interests in Liberia that justify a continued official presence and active efforts to promote democracy and improved bilateral relations. The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has engaged actively with the Liberian government, the private sector, and the public on U.S. policy issues. However, its efforts are constrained by host government hostility. In spite of some responsiveness from the government in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the security situation for the embassy and private Americans in Monrovia remains precarious. Security concerns and political obstacles on official U.S. activity in Liberia should keep Embassy Monrovia limited to fewer than 31 Americans for the foreseeable future. The embassy has experienced serious staffing gaps over the last several years, and the Department needs to fill vacant positions, giving priority to the public affairs and consular positions. Embassy Monrovia provides full consular services. This is too much of a burden for one consular officer. The Department needs either to reinstate the vice consul position eliminated this summer or to reduce significantly the range of consular services provided at the embassy.

Embassy Monrovia has unique property assets that provide more capacity than is needed at the present with bilateral relations constrained. However, the OIG recommends against disposing of any property at this time. The property is a valuable future resource, and, during this period of uncertain circumstances, it provides a secure base and essential services that are not otherwise available. The OIG urged that the Department and the embassy undertake a new design study of the main compound and examine ways that a subsidiary compound might be effectively used to defray expenses and promote U.S. policy objectives until more extensive U.S. government operations resume.