I am writing with regard to your interest in human rights and African issues. As a leading British Liberian organisation I believe we can make a positive contribution to the British government's understanding of the situation in Liberia. This is because we believe the British government are not fully aware of the problems within Liberia.

  In the past 15 years Liberia has been going through one of the darkest periods in its 157-year-old history. It is unfortunate that the civil war engendered by personal greed, political hatred, envy and deception has destroyed a proud nation. Long ago, Liberia was greatly revered by many countries in the world. Today, it is reviled and vilified by the international community for atrocities committed by some of its citizens during the conflict. As a result of this unnecessary fratricidal war, most Liberians now face a bleak and uncertain future as they ponder how to cope with the loss of not only material possessions, but also the loss of the innocent lives of the hundred of thousands of their loved ones.

  Despite a ceasefire, the majority of the sixteen counties have not disarmed and there have been sporadic outbreaks of terror in Monrovia. Moreover, the interim government have been wasting the counties money. Added to this, there is no sign that all the counties will have disarmed by October 2005 elections. What is more, the interim government has been wasting Liberians money on cars, while teachers and policemen have not been paid.

  More importantly, those accused of human rights abuses have not been brought to trail. Moreover, the hidden genocide that has taken place within Liberia has not been highlighted to the general public. We believe it is time that the social, economic and political injustices that exist in Liberia are highlighted to the outside world. Together with Claire Curtis-Thomas MP (Crosby) we have invited Alaric Topka (Vice-Presidential candidate for the New Deal) to the UK, to talk about the October 2005 elections. Moreover, why Britain should stop the deportation of Liberians from the UK, since Britain are sending vulnerable people back to a destitute country.

  Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss in more detail the issues surrounding Liberia with Alaric Topka on the 14 or 15 December. Moreover, we would appreciate your assistance in helping our organization establish an example of the positive contribution refugees can make to restore a war torn country.

  We would appreciate the opportunity for you to listen to the voice of the voiceless Liberians that the world has forgotten, at the earliest convenient opportunity.

Joe Hena, Director and Cllr Paul Larkin, Advisor

Association of Liberians in Merseyside

December 2004