YouSaid · the spoken record

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

lines on the record: 126
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2017-09-24
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Those initiatives have engendered hope among the people around the world, especially the poor and marginalized. We are deeply concerned about the growing number of acts of senseless violence around the world, as exemplified by the ghastly and cowardly murder of innocent persons in a terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Kenya. We commiserate with the families of all victims and with the Government and sisterly people of Kenya on such a terrible loss. Because we know first-hand the profound destruction and long-lasting hurt inherent in civil conflict, we also agonize with the people of Syria, particularly those innocent women and children who suffer most from such tragedy.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I am honoured to address the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and to extend my warmest congratulations to the President and to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the occasion of his election as President of the Assembly at this session. I trust that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the work of the current session. In a similar vein, I congratulate his predecessor, Mr. Vuk Jeremi. of the Republic of Serbia, for his leadership of the Assembly at the sixty-seventh session and for the initiatives he undertook during his tenure. Let me also extend my special appreciation to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his inspiring leadership and his visionary initiatives that have mobilized the international community around many noble objectives.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We wish to express our appreciation to the United Nations, which has been a very committed and effective partner. We owe the Organization much gratitude for preserving an enabling environment for peacebuilding and State-building. In conclusion, I wish to note that today, for the first time in two generations, Liberia has a second successive democratic Government elected by the will of the people. Despite the distractions, local and external, our people are determined to take their destiny into their own hands, and determined that our ambitious goal of making Liberia a middle-income country by the year 2030 will be achieved.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our Vision 2030, resulting from a robust nationwide consultation, is a long- term programme for transformation that prioritizes youth development, infrastructure, reconciliation and capacity development. Yet, our Government is keenly aware of the challenges to be faced over the next three years. United Nations peacekeeping forces are gradually being withdrawn from Liberia. In our discussions with various United Nations teams that have come to Liberia — the technical assessment mission in March and the Security Council delegation in May — we have emphasized the need for a responsible transition, through a gradual process occurring over a period of three to five years. We also seek the alignment of transitional activities with our budget cycle, reflecting Government priorities.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Civil servants lacking a decent wage for two decades rightfully clamour for raises, thereby undermining the budgetary process. As Liberia moves towards its tenth year of sustained peace, we can say with conviction that our country has turned the corner. Liberia is no longer a place of conflict, war and deprivation. We are no longer the country our citizens f led, our international partners pitied and our neighbours feared. Our stabilization efforts over the past six years have resulted in average annual growth of over 6 per cent, major foreign investment, expanded fiscal space and unprecedented debt cancellation. More important, we have earned our rightful place on an irreversible path to sustained peace, growth and development.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Developing countries, such as my own, must make globalization work if we are to achieve our growth targets and lift our people out of poverty. That means greater commitment and effort on our part to create an environment that ensures economic growth based on mutual benefits and responsibilities. Since its founding, Liberia has been a complex nation, and the divisions that led to decades of war still run deep. Our experience clearly shows that success has its pitfalls. Displaced citizens returning from refugee camps in the subregion and deportees from around the world swell the ranks of the desperate unemployed, thereby intensifying our vulnerability. Communities long deprived of basic services demand instant attention to their individual needs, thereby straining our capacity.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In that context, we categorically condemn all attempts to undermine the peace and democratic gains in Côte d’Ivoire and are working closely with the Ivorian authorities and the United Nations peacekeeping bodies in both Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire to protect and consolidate the peace in our two countries. We call on all countries in our region to work in concert so that those intent on destabilizing some parts of our region are treated as enemies in all parts of it. We are all part of a rapidly changing world in which the forces of globalization cannot be reversed. Our farming systems must adjust to the unusual weather conditions. The places where we live and work will need, in some cases, to be relocated from traditional safe areas. Our societies must also find responses to the distractions resulting from the demonstration effect.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Accordingly, Liberia endorses the decisions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which sought the full restoration of constitutional order in both countries in the shortest time. Liberia enjoins the world community, particularly the Security Council, to buttress the efforts of ECOWAS in restoring peace in our region, most especially in Mali. As the current Chair of the four-nation Mano River Union, comprising Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia has committed itself to never allowing an inch of its territory to be used in order to destabilize its neighbours.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Liberia is a clear example, where, were it not for our own tolerance of our new- found freedom of expression, our country would be back in chaos. While the majority of the countries in our subregion are consolidating economic and social gains, underpinned by democratic processes, some are, regrettably, still dogged by serious challenges that risk undermining the peace and progress of the entire region. We in Liberia, like many other countries in the region and the world at large, were particularly appalled by the unconstitutional unravelling of the democratic Governments in Mali and Guinea-Bissau in the early part of this year. We unequivocally condemn such attempts to seize power through unconstitutional means.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“At the same time, we are convinced that the final draft text of the arms trade treaty, though imperfect and incomplete, contains essential elements, upon which future negotiations can succeed. We express our deep condolences on the death of the United States Ambassador and staff and the Libyan nationals in the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi. All nations should be concerned about the spreading of violence in reaction to a film that demonstrates unacceptable insensitivity to the Islamic faith. Even in such circumstances, we must all be mindful that democracy requires freedom — freedom of ideas, freedom of association, freedom of religion and, more important, freedom of expression. That often results in statements and actions that may offend. Tolerance, not violence, is the appropriate response to prevent further violence.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The high-level United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, which ended recently here in New York, sought to develop the highest possible international standards for the trade in conventional weapons. However, strong national positions on that sensitive global issue prevented an agreement on a binding arms trade treaty. Yet, nations of goodwill and countries like Liberia that have experienced devastation from the illicit trade in and diversion of conventional weapons must continue our strong advocacy, taking into account the full range of differences and disagreements. We would therefore encourage bilateral consensus-building ahead of a new round of negotiations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“To meet that objective, the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform need to come to an early and logical conclusion. My Government is encouraged that an increasing number of Member States support the enlargement of the Council in both the permanent and the non-permanent categories. That would ensure a fairer and more equitable participation, ref lective of the world demography. In that regard, Liberia supports the African common position, based on the Ezulwini Consensus adopted by the African Union. In the same vein, we must ensure that the General Assembly is revitalized in order for it to fully assume all the responsibilities entrusted to it under the Charter. It remains, after all, the most representative body of the United Nations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We are mindful of the difficulty of our task, which requires us to propose a framework that builds on but goes beyond the MDGs in the establishment of goals that are ambitious but achievable. We know that the results of our work must reflect the broad political consensus of the public and private sectors and civil society. We know that the defined goals should enable all people in all countries to be freed from the shackles of poverty through sustainable development. Liberia remains fully committed to the ideals and purposes of the United Nations. We believe that the Organization should continue to occupy the centre of global governance by leading efforts to meet our collective challenges to peace, security and development.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We are particularly pleased by the recent UNICEF report, which shows a sharp reduction in the level of child mortality. However, there are still many challenges to overcome before we can ensure universal access to health care. Many developing countries, such as Liberia, have structured their economies around the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While some countries have made considerable progress in reaching some of the Goals, many others will be unable to achieve them by 2015. There is an emerging consensus that efforts must be accelerated in order to achieve maximum progress in reaching the MDGs over the next three years. I am honoured and humbled to have been selected by the Secretary-General as one of the co-Chairs of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post- 2015 Development Agenda.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our development partners, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies, have remained faithful to our national agenda. They have supported our priority programmes for women’s empowerment, increased agricultural productivity and food security, roads and infrastructure, and job creation. All the United Nations agencies must be supplied with the capacity to provide support to Government programmes in those areas. That is particularly critical for the new gender entity, UN-Women, which is the youngest among them and whose viability must be assured. We have made strong strides in gender equality, but much more must be done for girls’ education and women’s empowerment. Tremendous progress has also been made in health-care delivery.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The need for conflict prevention takes on added urgency, because most conflicts are internal, engendered by marginalization, inequity and injustice. It becomes imperative, therefore, to identify and remove those triggers of conflict before they cause explosions. Our Government’s efforts to achieve the twin objectives of conflict prevention and peace consolidation are being reinforced through our engagement with the peacekeeping and peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations. In an environment of peace, we have prioritized actions aimed at re-establishing the rule of law by building the capacity of our institutions and processes to deliver justice and security. We have formulated a road map for national reconciliation to ensure that peace is sustainable.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“He has begun his second term with renewed vigour and a clear articulation of the priorities that represent the major concerns of the international community. The selection of the theme for this session, which calls for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, could not have been more appropriate. When we review the state of the world, we see an international landscape checkered with armed conflict, economic crises and environmental degradation. For those who have been through the painful experience of conflict, including my own country, Liberia, this year’s theme becomes very pertinent. The cost of conflict in lives and infrastructural destruction makes us doubly appreciative of the value of preventive action in averting conflict.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I congratulate Mr. Vuk Jeremić and the people of Serbia on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty- seventh session. I would like to assure him of Liberia’s full cooperation and support as he carries out the responsibilities entrusted to him in steering the affairs of this session. I would also like to pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of the State of Qatar, for his capable stewardship of the affairs of the sixty-sixth session and the many bold initiatives undertaken in the interests of world peace during his tenure. My highest commendation goes to Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, who continues to demonstrate sound leadership in the face of new and complicated challenges.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our new vision of a rising Liberia seeks to move us to a middle-income country by the year 2030. This is an aggressive goal, but we are determined, and through efficiency in the allocation and use of our natural resources, we will succeed. We thank you, Sir, and all the members of this noble institution for the support that has brought Liberia to this point of progress.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Already, the process leading to the holding of elections in 2011 has begun with the release of the election timetable. As a founding Member of this Organization, Liberia remains inspired by the noble objectives of the United Nations in meeting enormous global challenges. We believe in its ability to formulate and implement programmes, particularly those aimed at raising the standard of living of people, forging global cooperation and solidarity, and encouraging dialogue to reduce tension and conflicts. In closing, we say again that Liberia is on the way to recovery. We have thrown off the label of a pariah State. We have restored hope to our people, credibility and honour to our national integrity, and won international creditworthiness and respect. Our confidence in the future of our country is firm.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In keeping with our Constitution, the Liberian people will once again exercise the right of choice when we hold elections in 2011. The 2011 elections will mark a groundbreaking turning point. They will complete Liberia’s transition to full constitutional rule and participatory democracy. This will be the true test of Liberia’s progress on the road to development and its defining moment, which, if successful, will serve as proof that we can truly stay on an irreversible course towards peace and development. It is absolutely essential that everything be done to ensure a peaceful, legitimate and transparent process. I wish to state categorically that my Government is completely and fully committed to this objective, and we call on the international community to stay with Liberia on this last stretch.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Another challenge is Liberia’s vulnerability to organized cross-border crime, including drug and human trafficking, as the result of porous borders and limited law-enforcement capacity, with weak national security organizations. Against this background, we recently signed the Freetown Commitment on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Drugs and Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa, which should assist us in promoting capacity-building in the region to combat transnational crime. The root cause of civil crisis in Liberia was the consistent failure of democratic transitions that would usher in Governments elected by the people. With the support of the United Nations, multiparty democratic elections were held in 2005, following the end of the civil crisis.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Moreover, we continue to manage the raised expectations expressed in the demand from villages and communities across the country for essential infrastructure such as roads, schools and clinics. Perhaps the greatest challenge we face is to go beyond the measures we have taken in formulating a public service code of conduct, in introducing new procurement and financial management systems, and in establishing and strengthening the pillars of integrity — all aimed at addressing long-standing corruption. Reform of the judicial system and efforts to change an inherited value system are additional measures that are under way.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We therefore call upon our partner countries to support the realization of the Goals through strong global partnership, as recommended in MDG 8. We believe in the partnerships we have enjoyed with the bilateral and multilateral institutions that have made our progress possible. We call upon all in this Hall to secure the strength of this partnership, which benefits all of our countries, by supporting the replenishment of the resources of the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Liberia’s progress is not without challenges. The satisfactory security environment of which I speak is still fragile, and made more so by the political uncertainties in our subregion. We also continue to face the tensions associated with the thousands of our young people who, lacking skills, are still unemployed.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are pleased to note the progress the world has made in the advancement of women. Today, there is greater representation of women in Government, in political life, business and civil society. Liberia’s own effort was recognized on Sunday when we received an award for our progress on MDG 3, on the empowerment of women. We also commend this body and the Secretary-General for their work in establishing the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and we 3 10-54965 applaud the appointment of the former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, to take on this responsibility. We have five years left to go to achieve the MDGs. For us, it is not the target date that matters; rather, it is the commitment to achieving the Goals that is important.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“While we acknowledge the right of States to self-defence and the promotion of programmes in support of national interests, we call on them to do so responsibly, with respect for international public opinion and the protocols and conventions surrounding such developments. At this week’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) summit, we reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to continuing to work for the achievement of all eight Goals, although we are implementing those Goals under a more challenging context. Our national development agenda and programmes for ensuring national reconciliation, good governance and the rule of law, national security, food security, and the implementation of our poverty reduction strategy are consistent with the objectives of the MDGs. Our progress bears the fruits of this commitment.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In a country that has gone many years without a stable constitutional Government, the presence of pirates, extremists and other terrorist elements there should sound the alarm. The world needs to act promptly, as we cannot afford to see Somalia remain a haven for anarchists and extremists. That is why our Government supports the role of the African Union in fielding troops in Somalia. We call for more troop deployment from other countries, and we strongly support action to put an end to the Somali quagmire. We also call on the Somalis themselves to accept dialogue and go to the negotiating table to thrash out their differences and restore their country to rightful peace and dignity.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The Mano River Union is currently under Liberia’s chairmanship, and this has allowed us to stay engaged with our members, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, as they embark upon their political transitions. We hail the recent breakthrough by President Barack Obama in bringing the Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table and holding their leaders to their words to fulfil their promise to remain engaged and conduct direct talks aimed at ending that long- running crisis. Because we live in a global village, a continued crisis in any Member State or region should warrant our concern. Moreover, an unending crisis contradicts the cardinal objective of the United Nations, which is the promotion of international peace and security. In that regard, we suggest that the situation in Somalia warrants a Chapter VII intervention.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Thus, in promoting a liberal environment in which freedom, equity and equality are exercised as the best guarantees of peace, security and stability, we can boast of being counted among the Governments that have demonstrated commitment to good governance and proven respect for human rights. Regionally, Liberia continues to demonstrate its commitment to good-neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence and respect for the sovereign integrity of other nations. We actively participate in subregional and regional affairs through the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, and the Mano River Union.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Experience in this regard shows that peacekeeping and peacebuilding can and should take place concurrently, and we are pleased that Liberia is now formally placed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission to enable us to chart the way for a smooth transition from peacekeeping and peacebuilding to recovery. Moreover, we have encouraged a vibrant environment in which people have exercised their inalienable rights to free expression, association, religion and access to the press without hindrance. Nobody has been molested on account of views expressed. Liberia has no prisoners of conscience in detention, nor does anyone have cause to flee in fear for their life or safety on account of their political beliefs or association.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I can report that we have opened the economy to put the private sector at the centre of our 10-54965 2 development effort and thereby have attracted some $16 billion in private investment in the reactivation of our mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. In addition, a new potential was recently discovered in oil exploration. The results of reform in our security sector, enhanced by the continued deployment of the United Nations peacekeeping force, have stabilized the security situation in the country, where people move freely around.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Today, I stand here to report on the progress that can be made from the collective effort of a resilient people, a responsive partnership, and effective leadership. We have come to report with confidence that Liberia is well on the way to recovery. In less than five years, our economy has experienced an average annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent, despite the drag on the two-digit potential occasioned by the 2009 global economic crisis. I can say with pride that, having successfully carried out the reforms required under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative, on 17 September, at the Paris Club, the final segment of Liberia’s $4.9-billion external debt was written off the books.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I wish to congratulate President Jacob Zuma and the Government and people of South Africa on having successfully hosted the 2010 World Cup for the first time on our African continent. They made Africa proud, and we in turn are proud of them. Some four years ago, I stood at this rostrum and told the story of a country exhibiting the symptoms of two decades of self-destruction: a criminalized and collapsed economy, a suffocating external debt overhang, dysfunctional institutions, destroyed infrastructure, a pariah nation in a state of decay, and a people in a state of despair. All of this translated into hundreds of thousands in refugee camps, equal numbers of the talented in the diaspora, and thousands of women, young people and children struggling for survival.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I am honoured to address this sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly on behalf of the people of Liberia. I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to lead this Assembly and am convinced that you will bring to the office your wealth of experience as a former President and Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation. Let me express appreciation to your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, for the capable manner in which he conducted the affairs of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Allow me also to extend highest commendation to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his unwavering commitment to the Organization and his efficient management of its affairs.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We thank all who have contributed to this progress.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“To help sensitize and energize the world with regard to the reality of female leadership, my friend and colleague Ms. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, and I are organizing an international colloquium on women’s empowerment, leadership and development that will be held on International Women’s Day in March 2009 in Monrovia. I believe that this will provide us with the opportunity to make special efforts in support of women who are desirous to seek elective public office and to encourage other women to seek such office. Mr. Golding (Jamaica), Vice-President, took the Chair. As I conclude, let me thank the President for the great work he and his colleagues are doing for a world meant for succeeding generations. Let me also say unequivocally that not only is Liberia back, but we are lifted and we are blessed.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We believe that that is truly a success story for a country emerging from so much destruction in so short a period of time. But we owe it first to our people — the Liberian people — and, very strategically and importantly, to the international community, led by the United Nations. The presence of the United Nations Mission in Liberia has given hope to the people that they need not surrender to the threat to peace and development represented by the large percentage of unemployed youth who cannot be absorbed by an economy that is still too weak, despite its high level of growth. I come from a continent where female leadership — particularly a female head of State or Government — is still unthinkable in some quarters. I have only a handful of female colleagues at the global level.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“They are part of a process that must identify effective responses to the food and energy crises and to the as-yet-undetermined effects of climate change. 08-51570 20 However, the Liberian people are gaining confidence in the strategy, for they are seeing that our national security policy, supported by the United Nations, is now producing the desired results. They also know that, starting at a low base, we saw growth of more than 9 per cent in 2007. Roads and buildings are sprouting up in many places; health clinics are reopening or being established where they did not exist before; agricultural production is increasing; and a huge external debt is well on the way to being cancelled, with exceptional support from our partners.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The Government, in collaboration with civil society, undertook broad consultations with people in all parts of the country. That resulted in a framework for reducing poverty and making progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Our poverty reduction strategy for the period 2008-2011 is now in place, anchored on the pillars of consolidating peace and security, revitalizing the economy, strengthening governance and the rule of law, and rebuilding infrastructure and delivering basic services. Clearly, those three years are not enough time to accomplish the daunting tasks laid out in our poverty reduction strategy; they are part of a process aimed at long-term development that will continue far beyond 2011.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The economy collapsed, with gross domestic product falling 90 per cent from 1987 to 1995 — one of the largest economic free-falls ever recorded in the world. Indicators in the areas of health, education, water, sanitation, food security and infrastructure were very poor and sometimes beyond measure. My Government, with the support of international partners, began to take steps to move the whole country into gear. There was a need, first, for clear direction in the form of a national vision or agenda, formulated and contributed to by the people as their own; secondly, to restore the international reputation and creditworthiness of the country; and thirdly, to demonstrate the necessary leadership — strong, committed and focused — for the people.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“On 19 September 2006, approximately eight months after I had assumed the presidency of Liberia as the first woman to have been so elected in Africa, I addressed this body, laying out my vision for a country that had suffered near-total devastation — a country that was the best example of a State that had nearly collapsed. At that time, I said that Liberia was back, moving forward on an irreversible path of peace and development. Today, I have come to renew that pledge. I have come to report how much progress has been made in the light of what we inherited. It should be remembered that we inherited a situation in which nearly two thirds of Liberians lived below the poverty line, with an even higher poverty rate in rural areas.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Late last year, I had the opportunity to visit and hold talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders alike in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. I gathered from conversations and reports regarding other sustained efforts in search of peace that the solution of two States, with secure and recognizable borders and mutual recognition of each other, is the way forward. We must never give up working for a formal end to the conflict and for a durable peace for all in the region. I should now like to report briefly on Liberia, the country for which, we dare say, the United Nations is most likely to receive its best-ever performance record.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We thank the United States for its African Growth and Opportunity Act, which aims to promote trade rather than aid; we thank the European Union for its Everything but Arms facility; we are grateful for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation; we thank the Japanese Government and its partners for leading the Tokyo International Conference on African Development; and we thank others to whom the continent is looking for new avenues for sustained development. We are pleased to note that our cooperation efforts have included intra-Africa and South-South endeavours, with great successes having been achieved so far. Beyond Africa, my Government believes, with great interest, that a durable solution can be found to the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflict.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We grieve with those who lost their loved ones during the terror attacks in Pakistan even while the world was meeting here. While some plot evil deeds, there are those who are committed to working with Liberia and Africa and the rest of Africa to fight poverty and to promote positive, all-around international cooperation. We are grateful for the many avenues for cooperation that have been provided.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In that connection, my Government 19 08-51570 supports an arms trade treaty. We continue to champion the call for total and complete nuclear disarmament in order to prevent the world from annihilating itself. Those fears are not unfounded if we imagine such weapons in the hands of a terrorist. But the threat of terrorism — the senseless destruction of innocent lives and property — oftentimes even defies the imagination. The world must unite to fight that scourge. No nation or person is protected against it. Those who feel angry enough to carry out such dastardly acts defeat their own purposes because they end up killing those who may be ready to let the world hear about their causes. They actually end up losing everything.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Unfortunately, people in Somalia, in parts of the Sudan — especially the Darfur region — Chad, Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries have yet to breathe the air of relief and peace. They need the concerted efforts and support of the United Nations for the African Union and subregional bodies to take the actions necessary for peace. Where there is evidence of non-cooperation and even aggression against peace forces, the world must move into gear under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. As we have seen in Liberia and throughout the world, armed conflicts are exacerbated by easy access to small arms and light weapons. Thus, as part of the efforts for durable peace in conflict zones, we must put in place rigid measures to ensure effective control of such weapons.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“It is in this connection that we took a stand on the situation in Zimbabwe, because we had faith that the leaders of that wonderful and great country needed to know that fairness in elections and justice in political participation were the best ways to ensure durable peace. My Government wishes to thank the Zimbabwean leaders and their people for choosing the path of negotiation for the comprehensive agreement that has now been reached. We thank the leaders of the Southern African Development Community — especially South African President Thabo Mbeki, for his role in facilitating the peace deal. May all Zimbabweans work to ensure full implementation of the agreement. Over the past year, Africa has registered unprecedented economic growth and has experienced relative peace in many hitherto-turbulent regions and countries.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I am proud to say that Liberian history and experience have taught us never to shirk in our opposition to wars and the causes thereof, to man’s inhumanity to man, to oppression, racism, human rights abuses, especially those against women and children, and abuses inflicted on the basis of race, creed and religion. In doing so, we know that we may at times not be seen as following the party line, be it in Africa or on African issues, or the positions of some close allies. We continue to ask our friends to realize that we will be guided by our principles, history and experience to act in the best interest of our people and of the greater world community.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We also believe in our subregional entity, the Mano River Union, which comprises the countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and now, Côte d’Ivoire, which joined us earlier this year. The Mano River basin, as is well known, had been the epicentre of the conflict system in West Africa since 1990. As the current Chair of the Union, I can say on behalf of my colleagues that the countries of that basin have declared never again to war and all forms of armed violence. The Mano River Union will henceforth be a net exporter of peace and all the dividends that come with peace in West Africa.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Our history and experience have taught us to believe in regional peace and security and cooperation. Liberians still say, with passion: “Thank God for ECOMOG” — the Monitoring Group of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — referring to the period of our war when young men and women from ECOWAS countries, led by Nigeria and including Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali and Benin, laid down their lives to save our country. Subsequently, a Nigerian-led military mission, the ECOWAS Mission in Liberia. provided the beachhead for the establishment of UNMIL. We shall always be grateful to ECOWAS, which is now dedicating itself to its prime objective of economic integration and development.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)