Call on World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to Cancel Liberia’s Debt!
October 16-17 Call-In Day on Liberia

“Liberia, as it stands simply cannot pay the debt.We just have to look it right in the eye and say so. This is the reality. We urge the international community to take the right steps and to cancel this debt.”
George W. Wallace Jr., Liberia’s Minister for International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs

Liberia recently returned to democratic rule after two decades of brutal dictatorship and a devastating civil war. From October 16 to 18, newly elected Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf will be visiting Washington, D.C., to appeal to U.S. decision makers and the public for their support of Liberia at this critical time.

The international community has promised its support for Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration, pledging aid to help the country rebuild.  But aid will not be enough to ensure a stable future for Liberia and its people.  Liberia’s economy is currently hamstrung by an enormous, unjust, and unpayable debt burden. The country’s current per capita debt is $1000 per person. The per capita annual income is only $83.

When he visited Liberia in July, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz pledged to support the country’s transition to peace and democracy, describing it as “a country that needs almost everything and needs everything all at once.”   However, creditors are currently insisting that Liberia pay $1.5 billion in back payments and accumulated interest before it can become eligible for any debt relief or cancellation; this in a country with an annual budget of $80 million. Liberia’s total debt stock stands at $3.5 billion. Liberia is part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative  but has yet to receive any debt relief under the initiative.

President Wolfowitz said in July:  "It's really unfortunate when you get a government with this kind of commitment and energy, ready to do important things and having absolutely zero responsibility for the debts, that they have to spend so much of their time and energy dealing with the creditors – who have a major responsibility for having made the loans in the first place." (Reuters, “Donors must speed post-war recovery aid – Wolfowitz,” July 23, 2006.)

During his recent visit, Wolfowitz urged donors to take action and encouraged flexibility and creativity to better support Liberia’s fragile peace.   Jubilee USA is calling on the World Bank, the IMF and Liberia’s other creditors to take real steps towards justice for Liberia by moving to immediately cancel Liberia’s debt so that the money can be used for desperately needed infrastructure and support, without which this fragile new democracy cannot survive.

The World Bank, other international financial institutions, and the US government must take immediate action to cancel Liberia’s debt, including $1.5 billion in arrears so the country can invest in vital infrastructure such as electricity, education, and health.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION
As the first action of our campaign, call Paul Wolfowitz October 16 or 17 and ask him to support immediate cancellation of Liberia’s debt! Ask him to live up to his word by removing delays to full and immediate debt cancellation for Liberia.

As the first action of our campaign, call Paul Wolfowitz October 16 or 17th and ask him to support immediate cancellation of Liberia’s debt! Ask him to live up to his word by removing delays to full and immediate debt cancellation for Liberia.

Dial: Please note that the previous number we gave has been recently disconnected and the previously listed numbers have been taken off as there is another number to use.

Please use this number: 202-473-5141.

Call In Script
Hi, My name is [Your Name] from [Your CITY, STATE].

As Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf visits Washington, DC, I am calling to urge that Mr. Wolfowitz support immediate cancellation of Liberia’s debt so the country can use its resources for vital needs like electricity, health, and education.

It is unjust and inhumane that the people of Liberia have to pay back debts that were incurred under corrupt governments, especially when the people never saw any benefit.  Even more unfair is the creditor’s insistence that Liberia pay back $1.5 billion in arrears before seeing any type of debt relief. This just doesn’t make sense for a country where three-fourths of the people live on less than a $1 a day.  Please use your influence to cancel Liberia’s debt immediately.

To learn more about Liberia’s debt, see Jubilee USA's Liberia Fact Sheet.