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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release July 28, 1993

U.S. Welcomes Signing of Liberia Peace Agreement

The United States welcomes the recent signing of the Liberia peace agreement. This accord holds the promise of finally ending a destructive conflict that has racked Liberia, killed over one hundred thousand people and created over half a million refugees. We have provided over $250 million in humanitarian assistance to victims of the conflict and believe the new accord can put Liberia back on a path toward political reconciliation, national elections and civil reconstruction.

The U.S. commends and continues to support the sustained peace effort in Liberia by the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Organization for African Unity. Their joint effort has succeeded in bringing the Liberian parties closer together and sets a model for conflict resolution in Africa and elsewhere.

The U.S. urges the parties to the agreement to adhere strictly to the commitments they have made. The accord will only succeed if they work in good faith with one another and with the international community. The parties can provide an early signal of their commitment to the accord by cooperating fully with the international relief agencies in the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and we urge them to do so.

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