NEW BOOK TELLS WHY US POLICY TOWARDS LIBERIA LED TO THE 2003 CRISIS

(PRWEB) August 1, 2003

Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA, 30 July 2003 - Africana Homestead Legacy Publishers (AHLP)announces the late-August 2003 release of its forthcoming title, “United States Policy Towards Liberia, 1822 to 2003: Unintended Consequences?,” by Lester S. Hyman. A noted Washington, D.C. attorney with 48 years experience in law, government, and politics, Mr. Hyman tells why U.S. foreign policy has inadvertently propelled Liberia into a humanitarian catastrophe and what the U.S. should do to reverse the suffering of Liberia’s three million war-weary people.

Mr. Hyman knows his subject quite well. He was deeply involved in peace resolution efforts during Liberia’s civil war, and worked with the International Negotiating Network (INN) at the Carter Center with specific reference to Liberia. His opportunity to take part in this work first arose in 1991. At the recommendation of the George H.W. Bush administration, Mr. Hyman assisted a British citizen in doing business with Liberia at the time the country was headed by two de facto governments: the National Patriotic Reconstruction Government (NPRAG) headed by Charles G. Taylor, and the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) led by Amos C. Sawyer. Until 1993 Lester Hyman continued to advise NPRAG on legal matters. After the 1997 national elections

in Liberia and into 1999, Mr. Hyman served as United States legal counsel for the Republic of Liberia. In that capacity, he again communicated regularly with Charles Taylor, a man who both fascinates and repels many observers.

“United States Policy Towards Liberia, 1822 to 2003” helps the reader “understand the complexity and failures of U.S.-Liberia relations,” and why, since 1989, they were driven by U.S.-Taylor relations. Lester Hyman’s analysis is also perfectly timed. With the brutality of the conflict between the country’s government forces and rebel groups, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), mediated peace negotiations since 4 June 2003, and the indictment of President Charles G. Taylor by the Special Court of Sierra Leone (SCSL), Liberia’s plight has finally gained widespread international attention that is long overdue. Marianne Means, Washington Columnist for the Hearst Newspapers, said: “If you want to know the inside scoop on Liberia, this book is an eye-opener...”

From 18 October through 22 October 2003, Mr. Hyman will visit London to promote his exceptional work. AHLP encourages all interested parties to engage this fine author for an appearance within the United Kingdom during that interval. As he is an impassioned author who champions the cause of the common people of Liberia, his appearance will be most memorable.

AHLP, an independent press founded in 1996, publishes scholarly books on the experiences of African Americans and Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. AHLP also produces works for other independent presses and self-publishing authors. Starting on 28 August 2003 all may order “United States Policy Towards Liberia, 1822 to 2003: Unintended Consequences?” (ISBN: 0-9653308-8-5, U.S. $25.00) by calling toll-free 800-247-6553. One may also order the book online Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com) or through any bookstore. For more information

regarding this title or Mr. Hyman’s fees please contact: Carolyn C. Williams, Publisher and Managing Editor, 856-662-9858 or via e-mail at publisher@ahlpub.com. You may also contact Mr. Hyman directly at 202-424-7509 (morning), 202-363-3079 (afternoon and evening), and at LSHyman@aol.com. (United States Eastern Standard Time Zone applicable to both Williams and Hyman).