YouSaid · the spoken record

Captan

lines on the record: 61
first: 2001-01-25
most recent: 2003-03-18
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

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

“Young men between the ages of 12 and 19 who are deprived of the basic sustenance of family life and of the hope of surviving beyond the age of 28 are apt to embrace mercenarism as a way of life, and many countries are prepared to provide them with the implements of their trade.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Poverty, hunger and disease are endemic to our people, while our resources assuage the greed of countries and of people who already have much. Through the expropriation of our resources, we are supplied with swords and instruments created for our self-immolation. The region has become a Petri dish for those who manufacture small arms and light weapons in an experiment on how to degrade nations and people. The best and most conducive conditions for the creation of mercenaries are an absence of good schools, continuous cultural disruptions, economic deprivation and a lack of economic empowerment.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Such attitudes then become the source of immeasurable human suffering and of a degradation of the humanity of hundreds of thousands of West Africans, with an accompanying Charade of humanitarian responses. A change in international attitudes will go a long way towards bringing an end to human suffering, especially with regard to political expediency and moral justification for the use of violence. Today, those subjects are at the core of the fact of underdevelopment in our region - especially in the Mano River subregion, where poverty is so entrenched and has a dehumanizing effect on its peoples. The tragedy is even more profound in view of the fact that the subregion and the region as a whole are rich in resources.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Sustainable peace will also require the provision of adequate resources for the reconstruction of economic infrastructure in West Africa and for the reintegration of ex-combatants, the resettlement of internally displaced persons, the repatriation of refugees, job creation and the promotion of an enabling environment for good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy. When the objective of regime change is promoted through the expediency of violence and the use of force, acceptance of the consequences of the proliferation of small arms and the use of mercenaries becomes an integral aspect of international attitudes.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Last month, the Government of Liberia presented a formal complaint to the Security Council - in keeping with Article 35, paragraph 1 of the Charter of the United Nations - in which Guinea's involvement in fuelling the war in Liberia was documented. These Guinean-backed rebels have now surfaced in Cote d'Ivoire and have recently taken control of Liberian territory adjacent to Sierra Leone along the western border of Liberia. Sustainable peace in West Africa will require an end to such support for rebel movements and their mercenaries.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“However, this pressure on the part of ECOWAS has not received much support from the international community, which has done little to show its disapproval for this armed insurgency. The Security Council mandated a panel of experts to investigate the flow of arms supplies to rebel groups - LURD - in Liberia, in violation of the arms embargo. The panel reported to the Council that the rebels had direct links to the President of neighbouring Guinea and that materiel was reaching the rebels from the territory of Guinea. The panel then recommended that the Council expand its arms embargo on Liberia to the other two members of the Mano River Union. That crucial recommendation was selectively ignored by the Council. Today, LURD rebels continue to wage war against the Liberian people with a robust and sustained supply of materiel.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“A second front was established with an incursion into Toe Town, Grand Gedeh County, from Cote d'Ivoire by Liberian mercenaries. Such a development has the potential to create a new security crisis between the two neighbouring States. In another recent development, the Government of Ghana raided a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana, where a recruitment centre and a military training camp were discovered. Ex-combatants seek refuge and safety in refugee camps, where they actively carry out recruitment. For the past three years, the Liberian Government has been engaged in a war to defend its territorial integrity against armed aggression by LURD and its mercenaries from neighbouring countries. ECOWAS, in its attempt to curtail such illegal activities, imposed a sanctions regime on LURD.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Failure to do so will lead to the maintenance of a large number of mercenaries in West Africa who could surface in any part of West Africa and beyond, causing further instability and creating a major humanitarian crisis, resulting in an increase in already- alarming levels of refugees and internally displaced persons within the subregion. The recent arrest and disarming by French forces in Cote d'Ivoire of more than 100 Liberian mercenaries fighting for the Ivorian Government is an indication of the seriousness of this problem. Those Liberians are a part of the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), which went to fight for the Ivorian Government in order to gain access to and open a second front in eastern Liberia, along the Liberian-Ivorian border.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“We have witnessed this situation in Liberia, Sierra Leone and now Cote d'Ivoire. A case in point is the ongoing war in Liberia, where the rebels of the Liberians United Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), fighting to overthrow the democratically elected Government of Liberia, comprise ex- combatants from the defunct warring factions in Liberia, the Sierra Leonean Kamajors and Guinean nationals. This rebel group of mixed nationals is now engaged in fighting on all sides of the Ivorian conflict. In addressing the proliferation of arms and mercenaries, the international community must focus on the source of the arms supply to these non-State actors.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“This resulted in a large population of idle ex-combatants in an economically stagnant region where ex-combatants' only means of earning a living was to sell their skills as armed fighters for money and loot. The proliferation of arms and mercenaries are linked in that mercenaries can only operate where there are continuous military supplies. In many instances, mercenaries join rebel movements and are ensured military supplies by State actors who use non-State actors as proxies in regional conflicts. The proliferation of mercenaries is of particular concern because mercenaries in West Africa are more often ex- combatants from regional conflicts who are recycled into conflicts and sustain conflict and instability in the region. Mercenaries survive in environments where non-State actors are actively engaged in armed conflicts.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“The success of this initiative relies heavily on the cooperation of arms-producing States, as arms continue to enter the subregion and conflicts continue to persist. The problem of mercenaries has also claimed the attention of ECOWAS. A proposal by Liberia at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of ECOWAS in December 2002 in Dakar was adopted. Under its provisions, ECOWAS would convene a special meeting on the subject to explore ways and means to address this problem. The proliferation of mercenaries in West Africa was in part induced as a result of the unsuccessful reintegration programmes for ex- combatants that failed because the international community did not provide adequate resources for these programmes.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“Let me congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March. Liberia expresses its appreciation for your foresight in confronting this body with the critical issues of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the phenomenon of mercenaries - threats to peace and security in West Africa. The problem of the proliferation of small arms in West Africa has claimed the attention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for some time now, and as a result of the seriousness attached to this problem, the Community adopted a protocol establishing a Moratorium on the importation of small arms into West Africa. This initiative was spearheaded by Mali and was supported by many international partners, in particular the United Nations.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720 (2003) · source
“UNAMSIL forces have been deployed throughout Sierra Leone, including in former RUF- controlled territory. The authority of the Sierra Leonean Government has been extended throughout the territory of Sierra Leone, and elections in Sierra Leone have been set for May 2002. What will this Council do to help encourage, consolidate and sustain, in a positive way, the progress achieved within the Mano River Union, and Sierra Leone in particular?”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Madam Chairman, permit me to remind the Council that 10 months ago there was no dialogue between the Governments of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. There was no significant progress in the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) process in Sierra Leone. There was no significant deployment of forces of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in territory controlled by the RUF, and the prospect for elections in Sierra Leone was bleak. Today, some 10 months after the adoption of resolution 1343 (2001), the three Governments of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone have engaged in extensive dialogue that will lead to a summit of heads of State of the Mano River Union. Significant progress has been reported in the DDR programmes in Sierra Leone.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“The report of the Panel of Experts has finally admitted and drawn attention to the negative influence of non-State actors along the Mano River frontier and their sponsors. The Panel confirms their attacks on Liberia as commencing as early as April of 1999. There has been no condemnation of these attacks; nor has there been any reference to the violation of paragraph 4 of resolution 1343 (2001). These attacks into Liberia by dissidents are the major cause of all the human suffering in Lofa County. The Security Council is obliged to respond to these acts of aggression against innocent Liberians, as it would respond to similar attacks of aggression elsewhere. When double standards are used in the disposition of international disputes, efforts to achieve genuine peace are undermined.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“About 21 per cent of urban dwellers and 80 per cent of rural dwellers have no access to safe drinking water. Adequate sanitation is unavailable to approximately 70 per cent of the population. An estimated 8 per cent of the population is reportedly HIV-infected. This country, Liberia, a victim of war, poverty and disease, is today also the victim of a sanctions regime with which its people must learn to cope in their daily lives. Available statistics show a direct correlation between the imposition of sanctions and the decline in the living standards of the Liberian people. Today, I stand impatient as I await this Council's action to alleviate the human suffering in my country. The third issue of concern to the Government of Liberia is the apparent inequity with which resolution 1343 (2001) is administered.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Liberia has received no official development assistance, and donor assistance for United Nations agencies and non- governmental organizations operating in Liberia has substantially declined over the past four years. The current unemployment rate is 85 per cent, while 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, the illiteracy rate is estimated at 80 per cent. Half of all school-aged children do not attend school. Infant mortality stands at 133 out of 1,000 live births. Disability prevalence in the population is 16.4 per cent, of which 12.7 per cent is war-related. The World Health Organization rate for a post-war country is between 7 to 10 per cent. The prevailing causes of disabilities are alarming, with 91.5 per cent acquired through trauma and disease.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“My Government would like this Council to remove those constraints, which are severely limiting, so that Liberia, in a transparent way, can defend its territory and sovereignty, as is the inherent right of every Member of this Organization under its constitution and Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Secondly, as a matter of moral responsibility, I must call this Council's attention to the suffering of the Liberian people. Liberia underwent a protracted seven- year civil crisis and has yet to receive meaningful assistance from the international community in the revitalization of its human and physical resources and infrastructure. What was bad has been made worse with the imposition of sanctions. Resolution 1343 (2001) is engendering punitive effects.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Many Liberians of all ages have been killed, thousands more have become internally displaced or have been turned into refugees, and most villages have been burnt and destroyed. Conditions in the camps for internally displaced persons are critical, with severe cases of malnutrition among children and the elderly, while hunger and diarrhoea continue to afflict members of displaced populations, who live in constant fear of renewed armed attacks. It has been most difficult to put an end to this incursion and provide for the security of our people, because the Liberian Government has been unable to secure the means to adequately defend its territory and people.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“While attending the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Mano River Union countries will meet the Secretary-General to brief him on current developments within the subregion and to solicit his support for the implementation of the measures adopted by the Joint Security Committee of the Mano River Union. There are, however, three issues of critical concern to the Government of Liberia which must be addressed by the Council, given its mandate. The first issue has to do with Liberia's security concerns. In the past, the international community and the Security Council have ignored this issue, even though it could have a long-term negative impact on the subregion. Liberia has been under sustained attack from dissidents in Lofa County, in the northern part of the country, since April 1999.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Crucial among the measures to be taken are: deployment of joint border security and confidence- building units; sharing of intelligence information; expulsion of all dissidents to their countries of origin; opening of common borders; establishment of a legal framework to deal with dissidents and those in violation of the Mano River Union Non-Aggression and Security Cooperation Treaty; and protection of refugees, among other measures. Mano River Union Ministers for Foreign Affairs will meet at Freetown on 11 December 2001 to assess the level of progress achieved in the implementation of the measures recommended by the Joint Security Committee. The heads of State of the three Mano River Union countries are scheduled to meet in January 2002, which will be the culmination of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the three Governments.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“The Mano River Union countries, namely Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, have held and continue high- level discussions generally aimed at enhancing peace, security and stability within their territories. Those discussions will also contribute to consolidating and sustaining the gains made in the Sierra Leonean peace process. The inter-governmental meetings that took place at Monrovia, Freetown and Conakry resulted in agreement on specific and concrete recommendations and a work plan and timetable for implementation.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Let me assure the Council that Liberia is aware of and pleased with the success of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in its mission of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the RUF and other militias while correspondingly deploying its own forces and extending the authority of the Government of Sierra Leone into areas which were under the control of the RUF. The President of Liberia has recently communicated to the Secretary-General his views on the issues underpinning the crisis in Sierra Leone, on the impact of sanctions on Liberia and on regional efforts at establishing peace and stability within the subregion.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“The Council intimated to my Government that the sanctions were intended to bring pressure to bear on the Government of Liberia and were not intended to be punitive in nature. In essence, the adoption of resolution 1343 (2001) and the measures imposed were intended, according to paragraph 3 of that resolution, "to lead to further progress in the peace process in Sierra Leone". My Government, as a Member of the United Nations, is fully committed to the principles of the United Nations and holds the Security Council in high esteem. It would not be in Liberia's national interest to ignore demands made upon it by this body. This body should not dismiss my words or consider them trite when I say that we are fully aware that instability or insecurity in Sierra Leone has a negative impact on the entire subregion.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“The Council has had the time to come up with a realistic checklist on progress in peacemaking efforts in Sierra Leone, and on Liberia's compliance or lack of compliance vis-a-vis the conditions or demands in resolution 1343 (2001). Let me say unequivocally that the Government of Liberia is in compliance with resolution 1343 (2001), and that these issues should have been the primary focus of the Panel's report. The resolution clearly differentiated between its objectives and the means intended to achieve those objectives. The Panel's report did not concentrate on the concrete and measurable progress made to achieve the objectives of the resolution, but concentrated rather on the means, as though they were ends in themselves, thus losing its focus on the intentions and the purpose of the resolution.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“All of the actions and steps taken by the Government in compliance are unfortunately relegated to meaningless comments made in passing, while a disproportionate amount of time is spent on issues that should have been adequately addressed in the original report. I should now like to draw the Council's attention to the core issue we face: the situation in Sierra Leone, for which resolution 1343 (2001) was adopted. The Council wanted peace in that country, and it made stringent demands that Liberia expel all members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), cease all financial and military support to the RUF, prohibit the importation of uncertified Sierra Leonean diamonds, freeze all assets of the RUF in Liberia and ground all aircraft under Liberian registry.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“The report of the Panel is, as members may have observed, absolutely consumed with activities antecedent to the adoption of resolution 1343 (2001) by the Council on 7 March 2001. It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that the Panel has merely sought to vindicate itself with respect to the inherent flaws of the original report (S/2000/1195), which contributed to the imposition of sanctions on Liberia. My Government has arrived at that conclusion based on the fact that the report does not in any meaningful way address the question of compliance by the Government of Liberia with the critical provisions set forth in the paragraph 2 of resolution 1343 (2001).”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“I am grateful to you, Madam President, and to the Council for this opportunity to comment during these deliberations. Although my Government has not had sufficient time adequately to study the report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia (S/2001/1015, annex), submitted pursuant to paragraph 19 of resolution 1343 (2001), I am pleased none the less that the report is finally officially out so that the Liberian Government will not be repeatedly confronted with selective leaks and speculation via the Internet and in the print media. The Liberian Government finds the report to be devoid of any substantive relevance, especially as it relates to the mandate of the Panel of Experts established under paragraph 19 of the resolution.”
2001-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4405 (2001) · source
“Poverty-reduction assistance programmes to this population have been withheld through the influence of powerful States, under a regime of punitive sanctions. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful that this Council will not permit the suffering of the Liberian people to be further exacerbated and to remain unabated.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“The seven-year Liberian civil war destroyed the country's infrastructure and its productive base, weakened its private sector, reduced its tax base, exacerbated its debt burden, weakened its monetary and fiscal-management capacity, weakened its institutional capacity, ruined its investment climate and created an unprecedented unemployment rate of 85 per cent. Liberia's production base has been narrowed and is dependent mainly on its timber and rubber exports. The external debt burden now totals $2.731 billion, which is considered too high for meaningful economic development. Liberia faces the challenge of addressing the needs of its population, of which 55 per cent are under 18 years of age and 45 per cent are under the age of 14. Furthermore, 73.2 per cent of Liberia's women are of childbearing age.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“It agrees to have its airports and seaports monitored by the United Nations to eliminate the entry of war materials which could end up in Sierra Leone. It calls for monitoring of all borders within the Mano River Union to minimize and eliminate cross-border conflicts. It has disengaged itself from all activities related to the peace process in Sierra Leone. It agrees to work in harmony with the United Nations in all of its efforts to end the suffering of the people of Sierra Leone. The Government of Liberia strongly condemns the atrocities and other human rights abuses inflicted upon the innocent people of Sierra Leone. It is the view of the Government that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes should be brought to justice.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“This approach, coupled with the regional initiative of ECOWAS, would yield far greater positive results than would the imposition of punitive measures. The Government of Liberia intends to remain a constructive partner within the comity of nations. It will do whatever is reasonable and positive to contribute to the search for peace in the region. The Government of Liberia proposes a new programme geared at controlling the illicit diamond trade in West Africa, in Liberia in particular. It requests active United Nations involvement in securing Liberia's borders, so as to avoid the appearance of any interaction with the RUF. It has grounded all Liberian- registered aircraft and has appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization to assist in the proper registration and use of Liberian-registered aircraft.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“It is imperative that the countries in the subregion, particularly the Mano River Union countries, identify the root causes of instability in the region, including security concerns, and take timely measures to build confidence and restore peace and stability, as the best means of promoting the welfare and development of their respective countries and peoples. Liberia, as a founding member of the United Nations, remains committed to implementing all resolutions adopted by the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. In light of the very serious charges made against Liberia and its concrete decisions to address the concerns of the international community, the Government of Liberia requests the cooperation and support of the Security Council in the undertakings of the Government.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Within the context of regional peace, security and stability, the Government of Liberia reaffirms its commitment to the Mano River Union binding Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. It unreservedly condemns the atrocities and other human rights abuses inflicted on the civilian population in Sierra Leone as a result of the civil crisis in that country. Those members of the RUF and all others found guilty of violating the Lome Agreement after its signing must be held accountable for their actions. The Government of Liberia equally condemns the continuing cross-border attacks, which are contributing to a humanitarian crisis throughout the region.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Quite recently, ECOWAS successfully negotiated a ceasefire agreement with the RUF, which has led to a general cessation of hostilities, the return of some of the seized UNAMSIL equipment, access to RUF territory and negotiations towards the deployment of UNAMSIL forces into RUF-controlled territory within the next few weeks. These efforts are ongoing and reflect the commitment and resolve of the member States of ECOWAS to make every effort to achieve a pacific settlement of the Sierra Leonean conflict. It is the hope of the Government of Liberia that the Security Council will encourage, support and utilize this regional initiative, which has proved successful in the past, in Liberia during its civil war. We therefore welcome the upcoming meeting between the ECOWAS delegation and the Security Council.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“ECOWAS has not only committed peacekeepers to Sierra Leone, but has also formulated a peace plan through negotiations involving all the parties to the conflict and international guarantors. Furthermore, ECOWAS has contributed a significant proportion of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) forces. Sharing the concerns of the Security Council, ECOWAS established a commission of enquiry to investigate the illicit trade in diamonds and the trade in arms - a commission that has yet to receive funding assistance from the international community.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“In addition, the proposed ban on the export of Liberian timber is intended to deny the Government substantial revenue, which funds social programmes in the areas of education, health and social welfare. The claim by the Panel that timber revenue is used to purchase arms for the RUF is a contradiction of the Panel's submission that the revenue from diamond sales "is more than enough to sustain its military activities" (S/2000/1195, para. 80). We Wish to draw the attention of the Security Council to the initiative of the member States of our regional organization, the Economic Community of West African States, with regard to the problem in Sierra Leone. Since the inception of the civil war in Sierra Leone, ECOWAS has remained seized of this matter, while enjoying the support and cooperation of the United Nations.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“The measures imposed by the Council referred to above include the prohibition of the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone and the prohibition of the sale and supply of arms and related materiel to non-governmental forces in Sierra Leone. The mandate of the Panel envisioned recommendations from experts that would provide remedial measures to strengthen the measures already imposed by the Council, not punitive measures. The extreme prejudice of the Panel is demonstrated by its recommendation for the imposition of a travel ban on Liberian officials and diplomats by United Nations Member States, a measure that has no basis in the Charter of the United Nations and that denies Liberia the opportunity to conduct its external relations as a sovereign Member of the United Nations.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Smillie's conclusions were reached without local investigation, and he did not confront the Government of Liberia with his purported evidence, as is required under the right of reply. His presence on the Panel was prejudicial from its inception. The Panel of Experts exceeded the mandate provided for it under paragraph 19 (d) of Security Council resolution 1306 (2000), which enjoined the Panel to make "observations and recommendations on strengthening the implementation of the measures imposed by paragraph 2 of resolution 1171 (1998), and of those imposed by paragraph 1 above, no later than 31 October 2000".”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Liberia welcomes the ECOWAS committee's recommendations and calls upon the United Nations to urgently facilitate the implementation of these recommendations by assisting ECOWAS with its logistical requirements. Furthermore, Liberia unequivocally condemns all dissident activities within the Mano River Union, including the recent attacks in Guinea. I now turn to other concerns of the Government of Liberia. The Government expresses its concern at the inclusion of Mr. Ian Smillie as a member of the Panel of Experts. Mr. Smillie co-authored an article in January 2000 entitled, "The Heart of the Matter: Sierra Leone, Diamonds & Human Security". In the article, he indicts the Liberian Government on charges of supplying the RUF with guns and providing an outlet for the sale of illicit diamonds. Mr.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“As regards cross-border incursions, the ongoing cross-border armed incursions within the Mano River Union is a matter of grave concern for the Government of Liberia, which has suffered four different attacks on its territory from neighbouring Guinea. Based upon the complaint ofthe Government of Liberia to ECOWAS, a committee was established to investigate the incursions. After its report to the heads of State, the committee confirmed that the attacks on Liberia did emanate from the territory of Guinea and were by Liberian dissidents. It was the recommendation of the committee that a military observer mission be deployed at the borders of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and that dialogue ensue among the heads of State.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Secondly, all diamonds bought by the companies should be exported through the Central Bank of Liberia under international guidelines, as set up under Security Council resolution 1306 (2000), dealing with the certification of Sierra Leonean diamonds. Thirdly, the United Nations should place a monitoring regime at the Central Bank of Liberia to oversee this process for six months. Fourthly, an embargo should be placed on all diamonds exported from Liberia except those certified under this regime. Fifthly, the international community should assist Liberia by providing technical assistance in developing an internationally acceptable certification regime, in order to develop its capacity in dealing with the illegal trading of diamonds.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“On the subject of diamonds, cognizant of the complex and difficult problems associated with the monitoring and control of diamond trading in its territory and the subregion, the Government of Liberia has decided to seek the assistance and cooperation of the United Nations in putting into place an appropriate mechanism for the control and monitoring of the diamond trade, especially with the view towards maximizing transparency and control. The Government of Liberia proposes the following. First, two or more buying companies recognized by the World Diamond Council should be encouraged by the United Nations to set up buying stations in Liberia.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Cognizant of the ongoing constructive dialogue between the RUF and UNAMSIL, the confidence-building visits into RUF- held territory, the opening of roads and the ongoing discussions concerning the deployment of UNAMSIL forces into RUF territory, the Government of Liberia, in order to avoid a breakout of hostilities occasioned by the return of Mr. Bockarie, has engaged the Chairman of ECOWAS in discussions aimed at identifying a third country that will accept him. The transiting of RUF members through Liberian territory will no longer be permitted, nor will they be allowed to attend meetings on Liberian territory. My Government is prepared to take further actions to close its border with Sierra Leone and to recuse itself from all discussions on the peace process in Sierra Leone, should the international community deem it necessary.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“As concerns disengagement from the Sierra Leonean peace process, while it is the desire of the Government of Liberia to continue to be constructively engaged in the search for peace in Sierra Leone, it is equally true that it cannot continue its engagement in the midst of the grave allegations levied against it by the Panel of Experts, especially the accusation that Liberia has not played a constructive role in Sierra Leone. In view of the foregoing, the Liberian Government has embarked upon an alternative policy of disengagement from Sierra Leone. Consistent with this policy, all RUF members, including Mr. Sam Bockarie, have been asked to leave Liberia. All members of the RUF have left, with the exception of Mr. Bockarie, whose return to Sierra Leone the RUF leadership has rejected.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“These measures are in recognition of the fact that many aircraft fly the Liberian flag without the knowledge or authorization of the Government of Liberia, and that some of the aircraft actually registered under the Liberian flag obtained their authorization during the period of the civil war and prior to the election of the present Administration. The Government of Liberia has sought the assistance of ICAO in providing technical assistance to improve its capacity in air traffic control and surveillance.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“In light of the current situation, the Government of Liberia considers it imperative that these measures be given urgent consideration by the Council. In the area of aircraft registry, on Monday, 22 January 2001, the Government of Liberia took the decision to ground all Liberian-registered aircraft and has requested the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to notify the civil aviation authorities of all member States of this action. The Government has also revoked the appointment of all agents acting on its behalf in matters of aircraft inspection and registration.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“It must be re-emphasized that the Government of Liberia does not train any foreigners at this facility. As regards Liberian Government initiatives, the Government has reacted to allegations of illicit activities on its border by making concrete proposals to the United Nations to ensure proper monitoring and verification. These have included, among other measures, the deployment of UNAMSIL on the Liberian side of the border with Sierra Leone, the deployment of international monitors at all ports of entry within Liberia, the establishment of a multi- spectral aerial surveillance of Liberian borders and the provision of technical assistance to develop Liberian indigenous capacity to monitor illegal trading of diamonds. Unfortunately, these measures have yet to be considered by the Security Council.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“The Government of Liberia acknowledges that it maintains a training base in Gbartala, Bong County, Liberia, which provides much- needed training facilities for its internal security organizations, including members of the Special Security Services, which provides executive protection, and the Anti-Terrorist Unit, which provides protection for foreign embassies and sensitive Government installations. Non-governmental organizations and foreign observers, including the United States military attache, have been permitted to visit the training facilities from time to time. The Government of Liberia is currently engaged in discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide workshops on humanitarian law at the training base.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Given the pattern of events in Sierra Leone, it is not an unreasonable assumption that a substantial portion of these shipments also ended up in RUF's hands. And it should be noted that in paragraph 82 of the report, it is confirmed that additional arms shipments were received by the RUF from neighbouring Guinea based on RUF diamond sales made to mid-level Guinean military officers. The report further admits in paragraph 248 that the RUF received weapons captured from ECOMOG forces that fell victim to various ambushes. Given all of these well-documented non-Liberian sources of arms received by the RUF, we find it unfair and erroneous that the Panel would conclude that the primary supplier of arms received by the RUF is Liberia and that this arms flow is a result of official Liberian policy.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source