wfn.org | Liberia Elections

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (243
notes).

Note 242 by UMNS on July 28, 1997 at 15:55 Eastern (1690 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Linda Bloom                             430(10-71B){242}
          New York (212) 870-3803                    July 28, 1997

Liberian bishop looks
for unity after elections

               by United Methodist News Service

     Praising the peaceful election process in Liberia, United
Methodist Bishop Arthur Kulah said he hopes the war-torn country
can move forward now.
     On July 24, Charles Taylor -- the man who initiated the 1989
civil war that eventually led to the overthrow and death of
dictator Samuel K. Doe -- was officially proclaimed to have won
the presidential race by an overwhelming 75 percent of the vote.
Voter turnout was estimated at 85 percent.
     Kulah was an observer to the elections for the Liberian
Council of Churches. He agreed with other national and
international observers that the elections were free and fair.
     "Liberians can now tackle the task of unity, reconciliation
and reconstruction," he said in a July 28 statement.
     The United Methodist Church in Liberia conducted a fast and
continuous prayers during the week leading up to the July 19
election. On July 18, the fasting and prayer were closed with a
special service for all of the presidential and legislative
candidates.
     During that service, Kulah called on the candidates to accept
the election results "willingly and wholeheartedly" and see
themselves as friends and not enemies. He also advised the
candidates to listen to the voice of God.
                              #  #  #

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