On Thursday, May 27, President Obama will welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia to the White House.  The United States greatly values its historic bonds with Liberia.  Liberia is an important democratic partner of the United States that has made tremendous strides in consolidating stability, improving governance, and contributing to regional peace and development in recent years.  The American people have maintained our links to the Liberian people through some of the country’s most challenging times, and we remain deeply engaged now as Liberia continues to look to its future.  President Obama welcomes the opportunity to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual importance with President Sirleaf.