University of Minnesota Experts Available to Discuss Liberia

Newswise — J. Brian Atwood, dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, (612) 625-0669, can comment on the events in Liberia. He was a foreign service officer in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire in the 1960s and was in the Carter Administration during the coup d'etat in Liberia. More recently, he served as a special presidential envoy to Eastern Zaire during the Rwanda crisis, which resembles Liberia's current conditions. Atwood can discuss what President Bush faces during his visit to Africa, including the foreign aid climate.

U of M African American and African Studies instructor Wynfred Russell, (612) 625-0185 or (612) 554-0134 (cell), has personal reasons to closely follow the turmoil in Liberia. Not only is his research concentration on West Africa, which includes Liberia, Russell is also a native of Liberia and still has family and friends there. According to Russell, many Liberians believe the United States is "the natural candidate" to lead a multinational force to Liberia because of its close historical and cultural ties. Liberia was established by slaves from the United States in the early 1820s and the country is full of symbols that commemorate its historic links to the United States. "The capital, Monrovia, was named after President James Monroe and another city honors President James Buchanan," Russell said. "And Harper, another city, was named after U.S. Congressman Robert Harper, who invented the name Liberia, which means 'Land of Liberty.'" Liberia provided economic and political support to the U.S. during World War II and the Cold War, Russell added. "Many Liberians look to the United States as their stepfather," said Russell. "They all want an end to the years of bloody civil war and many believe the United States is best-positioned to accomplish this." This fall, Russell will lead a committee that will organize a forum on Liberia.