Liberia, 1999

On the occasion of the fifty-

fourth session of the General Assembly, marking our last

meeting in this century, I am humbled to address this body

on behalf of President Charles Ghankay Taylor, the

Government and the people of Liberia.

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the President

most cordially on his election to preside over this fifty-

fourth session and to assure him of my delegation’s support

and cooperation during the session. When we give

consideration to the scope of his diplomatic experience, the

expanse of his wisdom and the integrity of his heart, we

can only conclude that this is his hour, when his

qualifications bespeak eloquently his ability to preside over

the Assembly.

I recall my country’s involvement in the struggle for

Namibia’s independence, and I am proud that, just about a

decade after achieving independence through the sustained

diplomacy of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and

the United Nations, Namibia is serving in such a high

capacity. Significantly, it presides over the agenda of the

last session of the General Assembly of the twentieth

century, where constructive discourse on new paradigms for

peace, development and social progress will shape the new

millennium.

I pay tribute to Mr. Didier Opertti of Uruguay. We

have witnessed his many attributes, especially his wise

stewardship of the fifty-third session, which has laid the

basis for this one. I therefore offer to Mr. Opertti best

wishes in his future callings.

For many reasons, I would like to express special

appreciation and gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr.

Kofi Annan. My focus is on his innovative leadership at

the helm of this world body. In particular, I note that only

two years since his introduction of system-wide reforms

the Organization has been geared in the direction of

rendering improved and better services and better

handling of world situations. We recollect the happy

moments of his visit in July to Liberia, which gave

further testimony to the Secretary-General’s commitment

to solving the problems of Africa. The Government and

people of Liberia are deeply proud that the United

Nations leadership has focused on the search for sustained

peace in our region, especially in the work of the United

Nations Peace-building Support Office in Liberia, which

has been instrumental in the consolidation of peace in

Liberia.

We heartily welcome the admission of three new

members: the Kingdom of Tonga, the Republic of Nauru

and the Republic of Kiribati. We look forward to their

contribution to the ideals of the United Nations.

It is encouraging to note that the inflexible attitudes

generated by the cold war have been superseded by

dialogue. For the promise of a better future, innovative

and alternative efforts are required in all areas of human

endeavour. Accordingly, the world is experiencing a

transformation in international relations. At the dawn of

a new millennium, we are moving from confrontation to

cooperation. Nation States continue their search within

subregional organizations for the stabilization of civil

order, the elimination of human suffering and the

maintenance of peace. Liberia reaffirms its commitment

to the concept of world peace that is sustainable in

context and global in approach. Hence, we believe that

equal treatment should be accorded to all conflicts,

wherever they might occur.

Liberia takes a dim view of the disparity in the

resources committed by the Security Council to the

conflicts in Kosovo and East Timor, on the one hand, and

the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the other.

Regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia

commends President Chiluba of Zambia for his mediatory

role, which led to the signing of the Lusaka Agreement

by all the concerned parties. We endorse his recent

request to the Security Council that it authorize and

support the deployment of a peacekeeping force in the

Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an appropriate

mandate.

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Following the relaxation of tension in international

relations, there should be a renewed determination on the

part of us all to search for creative avenues to resolve civil

conflicts and promote regional, political and economic

cooperation for the prosperity of all peoples.

At the onset of his assumption of national leadership,

following free and fair elections, President Charles Taylor

embarked upon sound programmes aimed at achieving

national reconciliation, the resettlement of all refugees and

internally displaced persons, the rehabilitation and the

reintegration of ex-combatants and reconstruction. Not only

is our Government making every effort to achieve these

specific goals; we are also committed to improving the

quality of life of our people.

In this regard, President Taylor’s Administration

remains committed to three cardinal principles: ensuring

national unity through national reconciliation, resettlement

and reconstruction; good governance through accountability,

efficiency and transparency; and the guaranteed protection

of human rights.

Regarding good governance, I should like to state that

mechanisms for revenue collection have improved and

expenditure has been strictly controlled to ensure prudent

fiscal and monetary management and public accountability.

Our human rights record has improved tremendously and

remains the focal point in our continued efforts to meet the

challenges of national reconciliation. In furtherance of this

objective, President Taylor holds regular consultations with

leaders of the opposition, civil society, religious groups and

the media on matters of national interest.

I should also mention that in response to President

Taylor’s policy of inclusion, opposition political leaders in

May this year toured the United States and certain

European capitals to further sensitize the international

community and donor Governments to post-conflict

problems confronting Liberia and to seek assistance.

The Secretary-General, in his statement to the fourth

Ministerial Meeting of the ad hoc Special Conference on

Liberia, held on 3 October 1997, highlighted the

Government’s commitment to national reconstruction. He

urged the international community to render necessary

assistance to achieve this goal. Accordingly, a donors’

conference on Liberia was held in Paris, France, in April

1998. The amount of $230 million was pledged for

Liberia’s national reconstruction programme. However, it is

disheartening to note that donors have not yet honoured

their commitments. We earnestly appeal to them to give

humane consideration to the difficult circumstances of

post-conflict reconstruction. We are eager to rejuvenate

the economy, revitalize productive activities, restore the

social infrastructure and improve the standard of living

for all Liberians. Unfortunately, these efforts cannot be

launched without support and assistance from the

international community.

The evolving trends of globalization pose enormous

threats to weak and vulnerable nations, which are

continuously marginalized in a global economic system.

For most developing countries, particularly the least

developed countries, which include Liberia, the debt

overhang and the unequal levels of trade are perennial

problems for their socio-economic development and

reintegration into the world economy.

The huge debt burden inherited by Liberia remains

a major obstacle in our post-war reconstruction efforts.

Our debt stock is $3 billion. This means that each

Liberian man, woman and child carries a debt burden of

$1,200. In a country where the per capita income is

barely $275 it may never be possible to fully repay this

colossal financial obligation. Additionally, the cost of

rehabilitation and resettlement makes it imperative that

consideration be given to our request for debt relief. We

are continuously undertaking economic reforms to deal

with the massive demands of our people and the

international community. In view of all that, we call on

our creditors to consider relieving Liberia of this

enormous financial burden.

Debt relief should be considered on a humanitarian

basis against the background that such a move would

consolidate existing peace, enhance rehabilitation and

foster social and political stability. We believe that it

would be supportive of Liberia’s desire for inclusion in

the evolving global economy.

The resolution of the Liberian civil crisis would not

have been possible without the close cooperation that

existed between the international community and the

Liberian people. We believe that the high level of

collaboration between Liberia and the international

community should continue to guide our future

endeavours in post-conflict Liberia so that the gains made

by all stakeholders will not be lost.

Of major concern in our reconstruction, rehabilitation

and healing programme is the condition of women and

children, for no amount of planning for reconstruction can

ever succeed if the plight of women and children is

33

ignored. Thus, we are implementing programmes that

refocus their emphasis towards pursuing educational

opportunities and safeguarding the rights of women and

children.

Over the past two years Liberia has repeatedly sought

the lifting of the 1992 arms embargo imposed on it by the

Security Council. Our request is based on a principled legal

stance that the Liberian civil war, which had necessitated

the imposition of the embargo, effectively ended on 2

August 1997 with the installation of a duly elected civilian

Government. Thus, the intent of the arms embargo, which

was to contain the war and the proliferation of arms in

Liberia, is no longer necessary.

In our submission to the Council requesting that the

embargo be lifted, we referred to the 1996-1997 final

communiqué of the Economic Community of West African

States (ECOWAS), by which that regional organization

lifted all sanctions and embargoes on Liberia and called

upon the international community to do the same. It is

important to note that it was ECOWAS that saw the need

to impose an arms embargo on Liberia and to request the

international community, including the Security Council, to

support the embargo.

The Government of Liberia continues to stress that the

arms embargo presently imposed against Liberia by the

Security Council is unjust. There are no defined criteria or

time limit for its lifting. It has been expanded in perpetuity

without any explanation. The Government of Liberia

reiterates that the continued refusal by the Security Council

to lift the arms embargo is a clear infringement of Liberia's

sovereignty, which the United Nations Charter defends.

Like all Member States, Liberia has the unqualified right to

defend itself and all those within its borders. The attitude

of the Council on this matter imputes partial sovereignty

and has hindered the freedom of a Charter Member of this

Organization.

The arms embargo has created an imbalance, with the

potential for adverse consequences for peace and security.

The substantial advance of the destruction of arms in

Liberia was followed by cross-border aggression. The arms

embargo on Liberia does not contribute to peace in the

subregion; rather, it contributes to a fragile situation of

insecurity and suspicion, which could lead to instability.

Such an untenable condition need not exist in a region with

a high population of refugees and former combatants,

poverty and deteriorating socio-economic conditions.

In our continued efforts to prevent the proliferation

of arms left over from the civil war, and to ensure

regional peace and stability, on 25 July 1999 the

Government of Liberia decided to destroy arms and

ammunition collected from the then warring parties during

the disarmament process. This destruction exercise is

being carried out with the assistance of the United

Nations, ECOWAS and the United States Government.

Most of the ammunition and arms have been destroyed.

The arms and ammunition destroyed as of 10 September

1999 are as follows: 3,156,156 total rounds of

ammunition of all sizes and 19,297 total weapons of all

sizes. Following are the categories of weapons that were

destroyed: 18,420 small arms; 626 heavy machine guns;

150 anti-tank launchers; 63 mortars; 26 recoilless rifles;

9 guns and howitzers; and 3 rocket launchers. The total

is 19,297.

The destruction of these arms and ammunition does

not negate the necessity of lifting the arms embargo. The

former represents a clear departure from war mode to the

institution of a culture of peace. The latter restores

Liberia's sovereign right to equip and maintain a national

armoury under the aegis of a restructured national army

to ensure proper accountability and fulfil the elected

Government's constitutional responsibility for national

security.

Liberia's international efforts are geared towards

peace and security, primarily in our subregion and

generally in the world. Our stability is inextricably linked

to security in the West African subregion. It is within this

context that President Taylor took bold initiatives which

significantly contributed to peace in Sierra Leone. Liberia

always felt that the conflict in Sierra Leone was primarily

internal. Our persistence to bring about a negotiated

settlement, rather than the use of force and violence,

emanated from our national experience with the futility

and destructiveness of armed confrontation.

In this connection, my Government participated in

various talks, which led to the signing of the historic

Lomé Peace Agreement. Presently, Liberia is hosting two

leaders of the Sierra Leonean conflict in Monrovia in

order to resolve internal differences and facilitate their

early return to Freetown for the smooth implementation

of the Agreement. My Government is genuinely

committed to the Sierra Leonean peace process and will

do everything to ensure that peace and normalcy return to

that sister Republic.

34

We concur with the Secretary-General's

recommendation to the Security Council on the

establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping force for

Sierra Leone; this, we believe, will sustain and strengthen

the efforts of ECOWAS.

Liberia has been concerned about its borders with

neighbouring countries, especially Guinea. We have

witnessed two incidents of armed aggression along our

northern border, which resulted in the loss of life, property

and the displacement of people. In this regard, we appeal to

the international community to provide us with all the

necessary assistance to enable our Government to cope with

the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons,

as well as to address the humanitarian crises created as a

result of the attack by dissidents. We are indeed gratified

that the Secretary-General has added his voice to the appeal

for assistance.

Liberia is committed to finding a diplomatic solution

to the problem along the Guinea-Liberia border and

reaffirms its adherence to the practice of good-

neighbourliness. We call on the international community to

duly consider the vulnerability of the subregion due to the

large volume of refugees and the attendant humanitarian

crisis. My Government is of the strong conviction that

dialogue and cooperation between and among neighbours

will enhance security, peace and stability in the subregion.

Accordingly, at a mini-summit of the heads of State and

Government of the Economic Community of West African

States, (ECOWAS) held in Abuja, Nigeria on 16 September

1999, Liberia reached an understanding with Guinea

relative to security and cooperation. We therefore call on

the international community to lend its support to the

efforts aimed at reactivating the Mano River Union.

Since 1992, Africa has experienced numerous

impediments to its economic development. There has been

a continuous decline in its exports, imports and the flow of

direct foreign investment and overseas development

assistance. This situation is compounded by the increasing

debt burden, estimated at $300 billion. These negative

trends hamper Africa's integration into the global economy,

thus leading to its marginalization. We therefore call for the

creation of a more favourable economic environment that

taken into account the unique problems of Africa.

We congratulate the Secretary-General on the

measures he has taken in helping create a favourable

economic environment for Africa, as outlined in his

“Progress report on the implementation of the

recommendations contained in the report on the causes of

conflict and the promotion of durable peace and

sustainable development in Africa” (S/1999/1008).

Furthermore, we reaffirm our commitment to the

provisions of the Algiers Declaration of the Organization

of African Unity (OAU) with respect to the establishment

of a genuine international partnership.

We welcome the offer of the United States President

Bill Clinton to forgive the debts of the world's poorest

countries, including Liberia.

As a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of

the Child, my Government has taken measures to improve

the environment for nurturing and developing the child.

We hereby reiterate our commitment to the rehabilitation

and reintegration of children into civil society, in

accordance with the Maputo Declaration adopted by the

OAU. We therefore call upon the international community

to provide support for efforts in this regard.

Liberia firmly believes that the unification of China

should be peacefully pursued and that although it is a

matter for the Chinese people themselves to determine,

there is nonetheless a need for the United Nations to

examine the exceptional international situation pertaining

to the Republic of China on Taiwan. In so doing it will

ensure that the fundamental rights of 22 million people to

participate in the work and activities of the United

Nations, and it will do honour to this great world body.

The Republic of China on Taiwan has contributed

substantially to the international community in the area of

technical and development assistance and has shown a

strong commitment to human rights, democracy, market

economy and multilateralism. The unparalleled economic

and political development of the Republic of China on

Taiwan has brought a strong desire of its people to

participate in international activities.

Resolution 2758 (XXVI), however, denies over 22

million people their right to participate in United Nations

activities and contravenes the United Nations Charter's

principle of universality. Taking into account the changing

international climate, characterized by global economic

interdependence, it is essential for the United Nations to

review this unfair resolution as it steps into a new

century. Liberia believes that the Republic of China on

Taiwan can play a more important and beneficial role in

the United Nations community and that it is willing to

play that role. Liberia strongly urges the United Nations

to find a speedy and satisfactory resolution to the

Republic of China on Taiwan's participation in the United

Nations.

35

In conclusion, since its establishment, the United

Nations has represented mankind's legitimate aspirations.

Despite its shortcomings, we continue to see it that way.

Liberia cannot overemphasize its support for the ongoing

reforms of the United Nations. Twenty-five years ago,

Liberia called for a review of the United Nations Charter to

ensure its effectiveness to cope with some of the

fundamental problems that continue to beset the world

community.

Although we have not been favoured with the usual

level of international support to help speed up the pace of

progress in rebuilding our country, Liberia is most grateful

for the vital support it has received, especially in the areas

of rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants and

resettlement of refugees and displaced persons. It may not

be intentional, but it is regrettable that the issue of African

refugees has received little attention from the international

community, as has the issue of the developmental needs of

the continent. The United Nations must ensure that on its

agenda the treatment of refugees around the globe is not

skewed unequally against a particular region.

If this world body will underline the promotion of

sustainable development, the pursuit of global peace and the

need to safeguard human progress, and if we realize that in

order to succeed we ought to rededicate ourselves to high

and inspiring objectives, then we can truly ensure the future

of all mankind, irrespective of our places of origin.

In Liberia, we have evolved four strategies for the new

millennium: first, to eradicate ignorance, disease —

particularly the HIV/AIDS pandemic — and poverty, and

to promote human rights; secondly, to strengthen the full

capacity of the United Nations to effectively preserve the

international system; thirdly, to promote universal harmony

and globalization; and fourthly, to protect humankind

against the scourge of nuclear, chemical and biological

warfare, and to preserve our ecosystem.

As we enter a new century, we need to re-evaluate our

undertakings and take measures to improve conditions in

our world with an unflinching respect for the dignity of

humankind.