Letter to the Editor The article in your August 2004 edition entitled "Liberian Ambassador Helping Reassemble Country in Wake of Civil War" makes a specific reference to me as a "protÈgÈ" of former President Taylor, which requires clarification for the record. I am a career diplomat whose service spanned three consecutive decades. I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1972 during the Administration of President William R. Tolbert. I was sponsored by his government to obtain a Masterís degree in International Relations in the United States. After serving as Senior Secretary, Research Assistant, Senior Research Analyst and Acting Director for International Cooperation at the Foreign Ministry, I was posted to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., as Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission (1976-81). During the Administration of President Samuel Doe, I served as Assistant Minister for American Affairs (1981-83); Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African and Asian Affairs (1983-86); Assistant Minister and Special Assistant to the Foreign Minister (1986-87); Principal Deputy Foreign Minister (1987-90) and Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations (1990-98). As my U.N. assignment coincided with the period of Liberiaís Civil War, I was one of the sole advocates for the people of Liberia, the innocent victims of the war. During the entire period of the crisis, both at the U.N. and in other forums, I consistently condemned the war and Mr. Taylorís attempt to forcibly seize power. In a discussion in May 1990 on NBCís "Night Line," I argued that the real victims of the war were the people of Liberia. I called for disaffected parties to resort to constitutional rather than military means to achieve political change. I continued my U.N. assignment during the four successive interim governments of President Amos Sawyer; Chairman David Kpomokpor; Chairman Milton Sankawolo; and Madam Ruth Perry (1991-97). It is therefore false and misleading to have referred to me in said article as "a protÈgÈ of former President Taylor" who was elected in 1997 and whose government I subsequently decided not to continue to associate with in August 2002. Throughout my diplomatic career, I served my country with dedication and commitment at critical periods in its history. I could have resigned or sought sanctuary abroad but considered it a bounden duty not to shirk what I considered a patriotic responsibility to serve my people. Finally, it is imperative that the United States takes a leadership role in matters pertaining to Liberia. I wish my successor, Mr. Minor, every success in promoting this longstanding objective. William V.S. Bull Former Liberian Ambassador to the United States