US General Visits Liberia—Meets With President Sirleaf

Sunday, 20th December 2009

Monrovia, Liberia - The Assistant Commander of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia.  The meeting between the Liberian President and General Amos covered areas of cooperation between Liberia and the United States military in the field of training. Collaboration on the control of narcotics and support for the Coast Guard, as well as Liberia’s Defense Sector Reform, were discussed.

An Executive Mansion release says the President welcomed General Amos to Liberia and lauded the strong partnership existing between Liberia and the United States. She praised the United States Government for the support it has provided in helping to restructure the Liberian military. “I look forward to more collaboration between our two countries,” the President said.

General Amos, the second-ranking officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, also met with Defense Minister Brownie Samukai; the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Ellen Margrethe Løj; and the Coordinator of the United Nations Operations in Liberia and UNMIL Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sikander Afzal.

During the meetings, General Amos discussed ways in which the Marine Corps can support U.S. efforts to assist in maintaining peace and security in Liberia.

Meanwhile, 61 United States military mentors will arrive in Liberia next month as part of a military-to-military cooperation between Liberian and the United States. Half of the team consists of Marines who will help mentor and provide training for the Liberian military.

General Amos was accompanied by: Lieutenant General George Flynn, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Major General Thomas Conant, Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Air Wing; and Brigadier General Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation.  The three-day visit to Liberia is part of a multi-nation tour.

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