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Exchange of Remarks Between the President and William R. Tolbert, Jr., President of the Republic of Liberia [Ford Speech or Statement]
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7345780
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Exchange of Remarks Between the President and William R. Tolbert, Jr., President of the Republic of Liberia [Ford Speech or Statement]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
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21
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1976-09-21
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9
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1976
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Digitized from Box 31 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 21, 1976
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
EXCHANGE OF REMARKS
BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT
AND
WILLIAM R. TOLBERT, JR.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
THE SOUTH LAWN
10:50 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: President Tolbert, Mrs. Tolbert,
ladies and gentlemen:
I am particularly pleased to welcome back to
Washington a distinguished friend of the United States
of America. President Tolbert, your State visit is the
first by an African leader in our third century of
American history. We are proud and honored to have the
red, white and blue of Liberia fly side by side with our
own colors.
Americans and Liberians share a very unique and
special relationship. Both countries were founded by men
and women who deeply believe in liberty and justice. The
Liberian national motto, "The love of liberty brought us
here," could apply just as well to the United States of
America.
You have arrived here at a time when Americans
are seeking to assist Africans to achieve peaceful solutions
to extremely difficult problems. I have sent our Secretary
of State to Africa in full knowledge of the complexity of the
problems and of the limitations of our role. Any realistic
and enduring settlement must be made in Africa. We can
only offer our assistance in encouraging the parties to
negotiate to prevent increased violence and bloodshed.
Mr. President, as a distinguished African states-
man, you are fully aware of the danger and the challenge
that faces all men and women of good will in the southern
portion of your continent. We greatly appreciate and value
your wise counsel, your moderation and your support. We
assure you that the United States will remain a trusted
friend worthy of your confidence and that of all Liberians
and all the peoples of Africa.
MORE
Page 2
Americans have noted with admiration the deter-
mination with which Liberia is developing its potentialities.
We will continue to help Liberia help herself.
As President of Liberia, you have contributed
much to the material and spiritual evolution of your people,
but you have also given yourself internationally as an
ordained Baptist minister through your leadership of the
Baptist World Alliance. As the first black elected
president of the Baptist World Alliance, you have advanced
the vision of President Tubman through your inspired
work for the benefit of man and the glory of God.
We thank you and all the people of Liberia, not
only for your visit, but for Liberia's many manifestations
of friendship in this Bicentennial Year. I was especially
gratified to know of your personal participation, Mr.
President, in our Fourth of July celebration in Monrovia.
Mr. President, you are a welcome visitor to the
nation's capital and to the White House. I look forward
to our discussions. Through these exchanges, we can
advance the cause of peaceful progress for Africa and for
all humanity.
The American people join in welcoming you and
strengthening during this visit the very close ties between
our two peoples.
PRESIDENT TOLBERT: Mr. President, Mrs. Ford,
distinguished ladies and gentlemen, friends:
We are profoundly touched by your thrillingly
warm remarks of welcome, Mr. President, extended to Mrs.
Tolbert, members of my official party and to me at the
commencement of our visit to your great nation on this most
historic and signficant occasion.
We are gratified that you have paid my country
and Africa the signal honor of this unique invitation to
share with you and all citizens of America the captivating
joys of your historic Bicentennial celebrations. Impressed
as we are by your exhilaratingly warm reception of us,
we sincerely ask, in turn, that you accept of us, Mr.
President, our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.
As we enthusiastically rejoice with you in the
spirit of '76, we salute you and all the great people of
the United States of America and extend our hearty
congratulations as you enter upon your third century of
dynamic and inspiring nationhood. The microcosm of the
whole world, America has illuminated the limitless
potentials of the human family when it is free to think,
free to decide and free to act.
MORE
Page 3
America is a viable land of spectacular and
expanding opportunity. The model of resiliency and
renewal, America is an historic land where challenges
are pursued with courage and with skill. A mosaic of
devotion and resolve, the American people are admired
for their ingenious quests, for excellence in science
and statecraft, in industry and enterprise. America is
indeed a creative land of surging patriotism and
surging proficiency.
With her towering stature and commanding influence
in the comity of nations, she has defended and expanded
democracy around the world, fostering integrity, spawning
opportunities and endeavoring to sever the scourge of
injustice and indignity from the noble family of
mankind.
The Liberian nation and people are proud to
have traditionally enjoyed with you, Mr. President, and
the great American people, a unique and special friendship
during the span of our 130 years of independence. We
have drawn exceptional inspiration from your unrelenting
and outstanding leadership in the world for genuine
understanding and productive cooperation and we embrace
the fervent hope that America's innovative initiatives
will be clearly evident in man's continuing search for
peace and in the struggle against poverty, exploitation,
suppression, oppression, injustice and human indignity.
It is indeed our deepest wish, Mr. President,
that the essence of the Spirit of '76 will enrich the
living conditions of our one world so that all God's
children may obtain a better quality of life in a free
work of equality, a vibrant opportunity and of social
justice.
We ask that you be so kind as to accept from
the government and people of Liberia, and in our own name,
Mr. President, our fondest wishes for unprecedented heights
of happiness and achievement for the enterprising,
most industrious and illustrious nation and people of the
United States of America.
Thank you.
END
(AT 10:58 A.M. EDT)