An occasion that could be the manifestation of a change for the better in Liberia/United States relationship occurred last Friday, when the Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, Charles Gyude Bryant and U.S Ambassador John William Blaney met for over three hours at the US Embassy in Mamba Point.

Amb. Blaney disclosed that discussions during Chairman Bryant's visit to the US Embassy which was the first by a Liberian head of State in almost 20 years, centered around his government's support to the NTGL, among others.

Addressing journalists at his residence shortly after the meeting, Amb. Blaney said he presented to Chairman Bryant a letter from US Secretary of State Collin Powell expressing the United States government's support and acceptance of the NTGL government of Chairman Bryant.
Amb. Blaney added that their discussion also focused on the improvement of the economic situation in the country, the implementation of the Accra peace accord among others and the cementing of the relationship between the two countries.

For his part, when he briefed the press on the outcome of the meeting, the NTGL Chairman described his visit as "much needed to help assist in the reconstruction process of the nation."
He said it is his hope that the visit will certainly open a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries as well as to foster peace and reconciliation as well boost the economic recovery process of the country.

Chairman Bryant also said the visit was the beginning of a new day in continuation of his planned visits to the embassies of foreign nations across the city.

Last week Monday, Chairman Bryant paid a similar visit to the Ghana Embassy in Sinkor, where he held talks with Amb. Kwame Amoah-Awua on bilateral issues among others.
Meanwhile, the NTGL Chairman's visit to the US Embassy was the first since the 19th president of Liberia, William R. Tolbert visited there during his tenure.

Chairman Bryant's visit was in the wake of sour relations between the immediate past Liberian government under Charles Taylor and the United States government.

The Taylor-led government had always accused the US of meddling in the domestic politics of Liberia and trying to dictate to his government, while the US government on the other hand, said the Taylor-led government had done nothing to improve the lives of the Liberian people and was fueling war in the Sub-region and violating human rights.

Political pundits now believe that with the departure of Mr. Taylor and the coming in of the NTGL, the strained relationship will be revised between the two traditional friends.