Gunship
10th Jun 2003, 03:33
:rolleyes:
US thanks France for evacuating Americans from Liberia
The United States put aside its anger at France for refusing to
support the war against Iraq and expressed thanks for evacuating US citizens and other foreigners from the war-wracked Liberian capital.
The State Department also called on the Liberian government and the rebels besieging the capital to ensure the safety of the remaining foreigners in Monrovia.
"We wish to thank France for its role in facilitating the evacuation of non-official Americans and third-country nationals who were on the US embassy and European mission compounds," said Lynn Cassel, a State Department spokeswoman.
"Coordination and cooperation between US and EU officials in this process has been excellent," she said.
The State Department on Friday ordered non-essential diplomats to leave Liberia as fighting intensified and strongly urged all US citizens in the country to depart.
On Monday, French troops evacuated hundreds of foreigners from Monrovia amid battles between rebels and government forces despite last-minute truce efforts by west African mediators.
The soldiers flew the evacuees by helicopter to a French naval vessel off the coast.
The foreigners evacuated include Europeans and Lebanese, Ivorian and Indian nationals, US citizens and those holding dual US and Liberian citizenship, Egyptians and some Africans.
Cassel said Washington expected those foreigners remaining behind to be protected by both the government and the advancing rebels.
"We are committed to the full protection of our citizens and expect the government of Liberia and the rebels to honor their international obligations to do the same," she said.
Most of the rescues was done with French Cougar's...
http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/2003060917274309_liberia.jpg
US thanks France for evacuating Americans from Liberia
The United States put aside its anger at France for refusing to
support the war against Iraq and expressed thanks for evacuating US citizens and other foreigners from the war-wracked Liberian capital.
The State Department also called on the Liberian government and the rebels besieging the capital to ensure the safety of the remaining foreigners in Monrovia.
"We wish to thank France for its role in facilitating the evacuation of non-official Americans and third-country nationals who were on the US embassy and European mission compounds," said Lynn Cassel, a State Department spokeswoman.
"Coordination and cooperation between US and EU officials in this process has been excellent," she said.
The State Department on Friday ordered non-essential diplomats to leave Liberia as fighting intensified and strongly urged all US citizens in the country to depart.
On Monday, French troops evacuated hundreds of foreigners from Monrovia amid battles between rebels and government forces despite last-minute truce efforts by west African mediators.
The soldiers flew the evacuees by helicopter to a French naval vessel off the coast.
The foreigners evacuated include Europeans and Lebanese, Ivorian and Indian nationals, US citizens and those holding dual US and Liberian citizenship, Egyptians and some Africans.
Cassel said Washington expected those foreigners remaining behind to be protected by both the government and the advancing rebels.
"We are committed to the full protection of our citizens and expect the government of Liberia and the rebels to honor their international obligations to do the same," she said.
Most of the rescues was done with French Cougar's...
http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/2003060917274309_liberia.jpg