PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LIBERIA
Press Briefing
PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LIBERIA
19980206
The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Liberia, Felix Downes-Thomas, told correspondents that he would be leaving New York on the weekend to take up his new functions. En route, he planned to stopover in Europe for discussions with the European Community and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) -- to learn about their plans, to get a feel for the situation in Liberia and to see how there could be a coherent approach to the problems in that country.
Mr. Downes-Thomas said his core function would be to facilitate, "push further" and refine the kind of reconciliation that was already taking place in Liberia. He would try to ensure that those affected by the war -- refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons -- were resettled appropriately and that programmes and projects were in place to ensure smooth resettlement. He would also assist in mobilizing human, financial and "in- kind" resources for Liberia.
In response to a question about the refugee situation in the country, Mr. Downes-Thomas said refugees were returning but not yet in sufficient numbers. There were problems with access roads and logistics but, more fundamentally, the agencies were suffering from a paucity of resources. Appeals had been launched by the UNHCR and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He appealed to the international community for help, otherwise the return of refugees would be in the hundreds rather than the thousands.
A correspondent asked what pressure the United Nations intended to place on President Charles Taylor, given reports of continued illegal arrests and the closure of radio stations. Mr. Downes-Thomas said he had heard those reports. Regarding the radio closures, there seemed to have been misunderstandings about the appropriateness or legal procedures for issuing broadcast licenses for certain frequencies. According to the latest information, the problem had been resolved.
He said he would be going to Liberia with a "very open mind". It would be more prudent for him to arrive in the country and assess the situation before responding to press reports. He did not want to use the word "pressure". He did not see it as his job, nor did he believe that the Secretary-General intended for him to "pressure" a legitimate Government. But there had to be a healthy dialogue, which he looked forward to with President Taylor and his authorities. "If we could develop -- and I hope it will not be difficult to achieve -- a relationship that is characterized by a candid friendship, I think we will be able to resolve a number of things", he added.
Was it still a priority to deal with the 45,000 child soldiers in Liberia and had he been briefed on the matter? a correspondent asked.
Liberia Briefing - 2 - 6 February 1998
Mr. Downes-Thomas said talking about the priority in Liberia was very difficult because the country needed massive assistance from the international community and infusions of capital in lots of areas. The problem of child soldiers was being dealt with by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other agencies, through measures dealing with trauma. The problem of child soldiers in particular, and ex-combatants in general, required urgent attention because it touched on matters of security in Liberia and the subregion.
In response to another question, Mr. Downes-Thomas said he was scheduled to meet later today with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu. He hoped to be able to work with Mr. Otunnu in a very coordinated manner to really address the problem in a long-term way and also with immediate interventions.
Would he discuss with President Taylor, the possibility of some kind of war crimes tribunal or a kind of truth and reconciliation commission as in South Africa? a correspondent asked. Mr. Downes-Thomas said he was not trying to be evasive on the matter about which he had personal views. But, as a Special Representative it would not be prudent for him to comment on the matter until he had assessed the situation on the ground and whether such a mechanism was necessary or not. The type of truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa was probably unique to that country and the circumstances there were not exactly the same as the ones in Liberia.
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