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| Gov’t Committed To TPS Extension V.P. Boakai Assures Liberians In USA |
| Published on May 29, 2007 | Email To Friend Print Version
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Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has assured Liberians in the United States that the Liberian Government is in full support of the extension of the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and would continue to appeal to the U.S Government to extend the stay of those on the TPS.
He said contrary to rumors being circulated that he and his delegation were in that country to ask the American government to send them home, the Liberian Government was grateful to the American Government for the support given Liberians in the US and to Liberia.
Vice President Boakai made the remarks Sunday when he met with a cross-section of Liberians including officials and members of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas and officials and members of the Organization of Liberians, in Minnesota.
U.S Congressman Keith Ellison as well as Minnesota State and local government officials also graced the meeting, a release signed by the Vice President press secretary Terrence Sesay says.
The Liberian Vice President said while realizing that there is no place like home, the fact however remains that Liberia cannot absorb a mass influx of people returning home at this time.
He said the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led administration also supports the Liberian Immigration Bill introduced in the U.S. Senate and Congress, and was grateful to Congressman Keith Ellison for sponsoring the Green Card Bill.
Vice President Boakai reminded the Liberians that the post-conflict reconstruction process is huge, and that all Liberians need to move as rapidly and as consistently as possible to transform Liberia into a country of hope and economic prosperity.
He thanked Liberians in the Diaspora for the tremendous sacrifices and contributions they continue to make to the Liberian economy and the sustenance of the country.
“At the same time, we must register our regrets and compunction at the recent shameful wave of deportation of Liberians from this country. We are appalled at the crimes that Liberians are said to have committed. This is a disturbing trend as Liberians have long been known to be a humble and peaceful people,” the Vice
President is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile Vice Boakai has called on Liberians to develop the spirit of nationalism and patriotism that will drive them to fight and die for their country.
He said if Liberians nurture the spirit of nationalism, they would always strive to protect their country from enemies and build a wall between them and those that want to divide them.
Vice President Boakai made the call Saturday when he delivered the keynote address at the 16th annual convention of the Grand Gedeh Associations in the
Americas held from May 25-27 in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A.
More than 600 delegates from around the United States and Canada attended the convention.
He hoped Liberians would begin to admire their “Liberianness”, the same way Americans are proud of being Americans, noting that the pursuit of national
Unity and peace is predicated on reconciliation amongst Liberians as a people.
The Liberian Vice President emphasized that before Liberians can truly reconcile, reconstruct and develop their country, they must consider themselves Liberians first and Krahns, Kpelles, Kissis, Manos or Mandingoes last.
“Our national identity must provide a historic bridge between the past of a deeply divided society characterized by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice and a future founded on human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence and opportunities for all, irrespective of tribe, county, status, belief, creed or sex, “ Vice President Boakai emphasized.
He challenged Liberians to forgive one another and commit themselves to the pursuit of peace to pave the way for reconstruction and development.
Vice President Boakai assured that the Unity Party-led Government’ headed by Africa’s first elected female president, is committed to the promotion of genuine peace and reconciliation, and bringing development to the people of Liberia.
In his annual message at the convention, the National President of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, Mr. David Gbortoe, called on Grand Gedeans to work together with their brothers and sisters in Liberia to achieve true reconciliation. He said the people of Grand Gedeh must begin with reconciliation amongst themselves as the first step to national reconciliation.
Mr. Gbortoe announced that the GGAA has purchased an ambulance for the use of people of the County.
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