STABILITY OF CURRENT POLITICAL REGIME/RELATIONS WITH OTHER WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-00926A007600900001-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date: 
May 8, 2002
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 15, 1954
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80-00926A007600900001-0.pdf99.08 KB
Body: 
Approved For Rel , 25X1' b0926AO07600900001-0 CONFIDENTIAL. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION REPORT COUNTRY Liberia SUBJECT Stability of Current Political Regime/Relations with other West African Countries .- DF THE UNITED STATES. WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 16. SECTIONS 7111 AND 764. OF THE U.S. CODS. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR WEYI. LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION 25X1 25X1 NO. OF PAGES 2 NO. OF ENCLS. SUPP. TO REPORT NO. 1. The political situation in Liberia remains stable with President Tubman firmly entrenched with no real-threat in view. He has complete control of the True Whig Party although there is some ineffective opposition headed by ex-President Barclay and David S Coleman. They have no opposition program to offer but make the usual petty crit c sms voiced by the "outs" against the "ins". Their opposition is occasioned by their desire to be in office. There is no chance they will replace Tubman. Barclay, especially, is very unpopular among all segments of the population.. There is nothing to suggest the possibility of a successful coup d'etat against the present regime. 2. Outside the True Whig Party, there is no dissident group that can muster enough strength to be a threat. There is some agitation in the Kru Tribe, but the leader, Teve, is now a refugee from the country. ~}QQ a is also some agitation in the Gre io Tribe, stirred up by W S Brownell,/A t 'cey General.. In both instances it is based on independence for t e tribes, which the agitators feel would enhance their personal prestige. 3. President Tubman's principal confidants to whom he turns for advice are; Richard Henries, Speaker of the House; ex-President C D B Kier and vice-President Tolbert. 1. Liberia's relations With other countries first recognizes the US as their protector and best friend. Beyond that, President Tubman has said Liberia stands in favor of the national aspirations of peoples governed by other countries. He feels . Liberia can help most by lending moral support and serving as an example of what can be accomplished by a freed people. He feels Liberia could not-benefit by an alliance with her neighbors as they have nothing to offer. Liberia would join a United West Africa only if they could dominate it, for which there seems to be no possibility. 25X1 25X1 This report is for the use within the USA if the Intelligence components of the Departments or Agencies indicated above. It is not to br transmitted overseas without the concurrence of the originating office through the Assistant Director of the Office of Collection.., and Dissemination, CIA. Approved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-00926AO07600900001-0 25X1 Approved For Release 200210 - - 007600900001-0 CONFIDENTIAL J 25X1 5. In line with the policy of supporting national aspirations, they maintain friendly relations with champions of freedom, such as Nkru_h and Azikiwe. They would support any action by the Arab-Asian block that did not conflict with the interests of the US, Relations with her neighbors are friendly. There have been some arguments with the French over customs but they are minor in character. CONFIDENT 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-00926A007600900001-0