The_Open_Door_deel1

XI1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research conducted on this study of The Open Door Policy in
Liberia ends with the year 1977 and was conducted between 1976
and 1979. The libraries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Economic
Affairs contain a wealth of information and the facilities of
the National Archives (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the
Concession Secretariat (Ministry of Finance) were used extensively.
Research is difficult, however, since many documents
are misplaced. This is understandable since no proper filing
system exists, material is not always well classified and records
are inadequately stored. Furthermore, the absence of sufficient
competent, well trained and motivated administrative
staff adds to the difficulties as well as the deplorable effects
of a humid tropical climate which promotes the rapid decay of
files and other documentation.
From February 1975 until July 1978, I was Assistant Professor
of Economics at the University of Liberia. University authorities
permitted and even encouraged me to undertake research on
the origin of the Open Door Policy and the effects of foreign
private investment on the Liberian economy and society. I am
grateful to the University and, particularly, to Professor
Henry Yaidoo of the Economics Department of the School of Business
and Public Administration. He willingly shared his knowledge
of the Liberian economy gained by personal experience as
Deputy Secretary of the then Department of Planning and Economic
Affairs in the 1960's. Deputy Minister Samuel Green and Assistant
Minister Philip Gadegbeku, after the Department became a
Ministry, were also helpful and cooperative with my requests
for information and documentation.
Without the collaboration and understanding of the Ministry of
Finance, particularly the Concession Secretariat, in my search
for information, the completion of the study would have been
impossible. It is not possible to acknowledge each individual
within the Concession Secretariat, but I am grateful for the almost
unrestricted access granted me to files and documentation
in this vital part of the Ministry of Finance.
The same applies to those responsible for the National Archives
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In general, I have always
met positive reactions in Liberian Government circles for the
research which I conducted. The number of Government officials
with whom I discussed the Open Door Policy are too numerous to
mention but I owe them the insight which I eventually got of
the official policy and the reality of every day.
My stay in Liberia also enabled me to contact directly the foreign
companies, notably, but not limited to, the Firestone Plantations
Company, the Salala Rubber Corporation, the Liberia Company,
the West African Agricultural Company, the Liberian-American
Swedish Minerals Company, the Liberia Mining Company, the