OVER $500 MILLION PLEDGED AT INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE ON LIBERIA

International Reconstruction Conference

onLiberia

OVER $500 MILLION PLEDGED AT INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE ON LIBERIA

Secretary-General, US Secretary of State,

French Foreign Minster among Those Calling for Effective Action

“Let us all seize this opportunity to end a long-running nightmare that has disgraced humankind.  Let us consolidate the peace, and make the peace process irreversible”, Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General, said as a two-day international conference aimed at addressing Liberia’s reconstruction needs concluded with a ministerial-level pledging event today.

Organizations and governments pledged more than $500 million towards reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, against a $660 two-year assessment need.  However, five major donors only pledged for 2004 and indicated possible additional pledges for 2005.  Other assistance, such as training and technical assistance and alleviation of the debt burden, was also pledged.

Co-sponsored by the United States, the World Bank and the United Nations, the Conference was organized by the United Nations Development Group (UNDG).  A Results-focused Transitional Framework, Financial Requirements and Coordination Mechanisms detailed the needs assessment.  Representatives from 110 countries and 45 organizations attended the conference.  (For more background information, see Press Release AFR/826-DEV/2458 of 5 February.)

The Secretary-General said Liberia today had arrived at a moment of hope.  The conference was meant to demonstrate international solidarity with Liberia at a decisive moment.  At the same time, Liberia’s reconstruction was also a regional issue, he said.  There was a pressing need to curb the ominous, continuous movement of mercenaries and flows of illicit arms.  In that area, subregional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union could play a significant role.

Liberia’s dire needs in other areas were equally compelling, he said.  Less than 10 per cent of Liberians had access to health care.  Public institutions needed support, and the Transitional Government needed to extend itself to the countryside.  Progress would also be a function of how well Liberians addressed the long-standing democratic deficit -– the impunity, poor governance and widespread violations of basic human rights and international humanitarian law that had prevailed in the country for far too long. 

Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State of the United States, said a Liberia at peace would be critical to peace and well-being throughout the West African region, and Liberia’s successful reconstruction would send a powerful message to other long-troubled parts of Africa that the international community would stand behind those who seized the opportunity for peace and set their course for democracy and sustainable development. 

He announced that the United States Congress had appropriated an additional $200 million in humanitarian and reconstruction aid and another $245 million for United Nations peacekeeping operations in Liberia.  As Liberia’s best and oldest friend, the United States would stand by Liberia, he said.

Presenting Liberia’s vision for the transition, C. Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, said the situation in his country was characterized by a total breakdown of law and order, massive displacement of population, lack of essential services, unreliable public utilities and environmental degradation, as well as a rising incidence of HIV/AIDS, a huge debt burden and pervasive food insecurity.  Notwithstanding those difficulties and severely limited resources, the new Government had taken a number of significant steps to ensure reforms, including efforts to centralize collection of national revenues, reduce the price of rice and petroleum products, and pay civil servant salaries. 

The real challenges of the transition still lay ahead, however, with comprehensive disarmament the most crucial among them, he said.  Liberia passionately appealed to the international community to assist it in achieving peace and reconciliation and commencing the process of national renewal.  In addition to the needs that the Conference would address, his country also required help in obtaining relief from its daunting debt burden. 

Dominique de Villepin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, stressed that to guarantee the effectiveness of efforts in Liberia, the stability of the entire region must be ensured.  In Sierra Leone, he said, the presence of the United Nations had extinguished one hot spot.  In Côte d’Ivoire, France was heavily engaged with ECOWAS in preventing civil war and supporting a political settlement to the crisis.  Today, strengthening the presence of the United Nations and establishing a peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire were indispensable.

Mr. Callisto Madavo, World Bank Regional Vice President for Africa and Mr. Thomas Kitt, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights of Ireland, representing the European Union Presidency, also made opening statements.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Coordinator for the United Nations efforts in Liberia, Jacques Paul Klein, reported on progress made by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Speaking on the status of the implementation of the Accra Agreement were Co-Chairs of the International Contact Group on Liberia Hans Dahlgren, Secretary of State of Sweden, and Nana Akufo-Addo, Foreign Minister of Ghana, representing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Secretary-General of the ECOWAS Implementation Monitoring Committee.

The results-focused transitional framework, financial requirements and coordination mechanisms were presented by Christian G. Herbert, Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, National Transitional Government of Liberia; and Mr. Bio Tchané, Director of Africa Department, International Monetary Fund.

The following Ministers of the Core Group presented statements focusing on the international response to the Liberia crisis:  Thomas Kitt, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights of Ireland, representing the European Union; Annika Söder, Deputy Minister for International Development of Sweden; Keith Brown, Deputy-Assistance Administrator for Africa, United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Chris Mullin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the United Kingdom; and Masaharu Kohno, African Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan.

Concluding remarks were made by:  Mark Malloch Brown, Chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Mr. Madavo, Regional Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank; and Andrew Natsios, Administrator, USAID.

Background

The two-day international reconstruction meeting on Liberia co-sponsored by the United Nations, the United States and the World Bank, continued at the Organization’s Headquarters this morning with a ministerial-level pledging conference.  (For background information, see Press Release AFR/826-DEV/2458 of 5 February.)

Opening Statements

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General KOFI ANNAN recalled that for most of the past 14 years, Liberia had been consumed by a tragic and ruinous cycle of conflict and misrule, in which thousands had been killed and hundreds of thousands driven from their homes.  Most of the country’s infrastructure had been destroyed.  Fear and mistrust remained widespread, as did scepticism about the sustainability of the peace process, given so many dashed hopes in the past.  Yet, thanks to the resilience of the country’s people, the willingness of the main antagonists to seek, at long last, a peaceful resolution of their differences, and goodwill on the part of the international community, particularly the leaders of the region, Liberia today had arrived at a moment of hope.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed last August in Accra had begun a political process that offered the country its best chance in many years of regaining the path of peaceful development, he continued.  The Transitional Government and Legislative Assembly were now in place.  The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was making good progress, with more than 10,000 troops and civilian personnel now on the ground to restore stability, facilitate implementation of the peace agreement, and help Liberians move towards free and fair elections next year.  Indeed, the Security Council had authorized the deployment of a strong, multifaceted operation, and he intended to do his utmost to ensure that it carried out its mandate in an effective and integrated manner.

The reconstruction Conference was meant to demonstrate international solidarity with Liberia at a decisive moment.  A needs assessment report, which had been prepared by the United Nations Development Group and the World Bank, reflected the guidance and leadership of the Transitional Government and was a model, not only of collaboration, but also of national ownership.  “That attitude -- that essential understanding by Liberia’s leaders and people of their paramount responsibility for their future -- bodes well for the recovery and reconstruction effort”, he said.

As the international community moved forward, the overriding concern would be security, he continued, which was actually many concerns in one:  there was an urgent need to consolidate and extend the security perimeter beyond the capital into rural areas.  Liberia’s armed forces needed to be completely restructured and retrained into a cohesive, disciplined military institution.  Some 53,000 former combatants, including child soldiers with special needs, must be properly demobilized and effectively reintegrated into society, with skills and opportunities to earn a living.  And there was a pressing need to curb the ominous, continuous movement of mercenaries and flows of illicit arms.  In that area, subregional organizations such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union could play a significant role.

Indeed, there was a widespread understanding that Liberia’s reconstruction was also a regional issue, he said.  If the demobilization process was not effective, that could have destabilizing effects on Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone.  The regional dimension also extended to the repatriation of non-Liberian combatants and the resettlement of 300,000 Liberians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, as well as refugees from those countries who were currently in Liberia.

Liberia’s dire needs in other areas were equally compelling.  Less than 10 per cent of Liberians had access to health care.  Public institutions needed support, and the Transitional Government needed to extend itself to the countryside.  Progress would also be a function of how well Liberians addressed the long-standing democratic deficit –- the impunity, poor governance and widespread violations of basic human rights and international humanitarian law that had prevailed in the country for far too long.  The United Nations was strongly committed to working closely with all Liberians to establish the rule of law, to build up an independent judiciary, to promote transparency, and to pursue justice for the crimes and abuses that have been committed.

“Finally, as we gather today to raise funds for reconstruction, I must remind you that recent humanitarian appeals for Liberia remain largely unfunded”, he continued.  “Long-term reconstruction and short-term humanitarian assistance may be separate in concept and in the way they are funded, but ultimately they are closely linked.”

It would be hard, if not impossible, for Liberians to start rebuilding their country while large numbers of war victims still lacked the most basic necessities of life, he concluded.  It was, first and foremost, the responsibility of the Liberian people to turn their backs on violence and sustain the peace process.  Their leaders in particular must urgently overcome their difficulties, and move ahead with national reconciliation.  But the international community would still be an essential partner.  In that spirit, he asked the participants of the Conference to contribute the resources needed for the reconstruction of Liberia.  He also appealed to ECOWAS and, in particular, the Mano River Union neighbours of Liberia, to continue actively supporting the peace process.

“Let us all seize this moment to end a long-running nightmare that has disgraced humankind.  Let us consolidate the peace, and make the peace process irreversible”, he said.

TOM KITT, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights of Ireland, (speaking on behalf of the European Union) said that the Conference, building on the progress made since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra last August, offered a genuine opportunity for that richly endowed and beautiful country to move beyond years of civil war, destruction and despair and to begin the process of renewal and reconstruction.  “It goes without saying that we must grasp the opportunity for peace and progress with both hands”, he said.  “We in the European Union will not be found wanting in our support for this challenging endeavour.”

Security and stability were the foundations of recovery, reconstruction and longer-term development, he continued.  Security was the life-blood of economic activity.  People would not return to their homes and livelihoods, nor farmers to their fields, until they could do so in conditions of peace and safety.  It was imperative that security be extended throughout the country as quickly as possible.

The European Union strongly acknowledged the important role played by ECOWAS in brokering the Peace Agreement and initiating the peacekeeping operation, he said.  He was pleased that the European Community had been able to financially assist ECOWAS in those tasks.  The European Union Troika had met with ECOWAS in Accra last October, and he looked forward to the next meeting taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Union on 10 May 2004.

The European Union welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, and its members, including the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland, were contributing to the Mission.  No progress could be made without the timely implementation of UNMIL’s mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of violence, to support the provision of humanitarian assistance, to help promote human rights and particularly to assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into society of the members of armed groups.

Commending the work of all those who had brought together the comprehensive joint needs assessment for Liberia, he said the document provided a solid framework for discussion and for moving forward rapidly in order to bring the benefits of the peace dividend to all Liberians.  As peace and security took hold and as progress was made, the assessment could be updated based on more current and accurate information.

No lasting peace would be possible in Liberia, unless stability was brought back to the whole region of West Africa, he said.  Most of Liberia’s challenges -– armed groups, refugees, arms trafficking, child soldiers –- were equally affecting neighbouring countries and could only be dealt with successfully at the regional level.  It was, therefore, of paramount importance that the international community continued to display the same resolve in assisting the ongoing peace processes in Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire.

“All of us here today are present with one clear objective, to support peace and recovery in Liberia and thus end the horrors to which Liberians have been subject for too many years”, he said.  “We are here to send the strongest message of our moral and financial support to Liberians in the task of rebuilding the country and ensuring no return to the conflict.”  However, the pledges that would be made today must be matched by an equal level of responsibility and ownership of the recovery and reconstruction process by the Liberian leadership and people.  In taking office, Chairman Bryant had made a number of key pledges:  introduction of transparency in Government and respect for human rights; to work with the United Nations to hold free and fair elections; demobilization of fighters; establishment and maintenance of order and restoration of basic services.  The European Union supported those objectives and would assist in their realization, in close coordination with the international donor community.

CALLISTO MADAVO, Regional Vice-President, Africa Region, World Bank, said the Bank was happy to join the United States and the United Nations in co-hosting the events.  The charge today was to help Liberia create a secure and enabling environment, leading to democratic elections and reconstruction through scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement.

Liberia was setting out on a profound transition, he said.  The World Bank would support the Government and people of Liberia in undertaking the difficult tasks ahead.  The journey from civil conflict to peace was not easy.  However, examples such as Uganda, and Mozambique were striking and hopeful.  The programme for Liberia was reinforcing stability in the subregion.  As there had been progress in Côte d’Ivoire, sustaining peace in Liberia would pay dividends to the entire region.  Africans understood the urgency to bring conflicts to a close in order to establish a viable region.

Liberia was setting out to create a culture of transparency, accountability and inclusion, he continued.  Full participation, access to services and basic security to all Liberia beyond Monrovia were key challenges, and the World Bank offered its support to meet those challenges.  All were committed to the same outcome:  a stable Liberia.  That commitment must be backed by support, and capacity must be strengthened and institutions must be rebuilt.  Liberians wanted to see reliable delivery of services, accountable government and the rule of law.  Therefore, partners were needed for the long term.  Resources, imagination and hope must be brought to ensure that the transformation continued.

G. GYUDE BRYANT, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Conference and said he was hopeful that the international community would respond favourably to the pleas for assistance in rebuilding the country.

His Government had brought together the warring factions and other players –- its mandate to manage transition from war to peace, he said.  Since its induction last October, the Government had been confronted with daunting challenges.  However, motivated by a vision of national renewal, it remained firmly committed to the peaceful future of the country.  The situation was characterized by a total breakdown of law and order, massive displacement of population, lack of essential services, unreliable public utilities and environmental degradation, as well as rising incidence of HIV/AIDS, a huge debt burden and pervasive food insecurity.

Notwithstanding those difficulties and severely limited resources, the new Government had taken a number of significant steps to ensure reforms, which were needed to begin the process of national renewal, he continued.  Those included the efforts to centralize the collection of national revenues through the Central Bank of Liberia, reduce the price of rice and petroleum products, open the market for importation of basic commodities, and pay civil servant salaries.  The Government had also taken measures to improve internal controls and management efficiency to ensure that the resources of the country were directed towards the welfare of the people.  The impact of those initiatives had been significant, and the people were now regaining confidence in the Government.

The real challenge of the transition still lay ahead, however, comprehensive disarmament the most crucial among them, he said.  Also, the adoption of the governance reform framework was one of the most essential factors.  For approximately 15 years, the country had been a failed State, its institutions destroyed, the political freedom of the population suppressed and democratic governance compromised.  Now, it was important to establish justice, ensure peace and promote the common good.  Those purposes were the ones his Government was now seeking.

The long-term vision was the creation of a stable and peaceful society under the rule of law and respect for human value, he said.  A small, but efficient civil service and a vibrant public sector should become the engine of development.  He envisaged a society, which would rebuild family values and demonstrate respect for the environment, promote gender equality and be at peace with its neighbours and the international community.  The next two years would be crucial in that respect.

Accordingly, the Government intended to focus on developing the blueprint for laying a solid foundation for achieving its long-term vision, he continued.  A meticulous implementation of the peace agreement was of particular importance.  Disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration of all combatants, security sector reforms and building governance capacity, transparency and accountability were among the country’s priorities, as well as repatriation of refugees and restoration of essential social services, particularly in the areas of education, health and sanitation.  Free, fair and democratic elections would play a major role.

Liberia passionately appealed to the international community to assist it in achieving peace and reconciliation and commencing the process of national renewal.  In addition to the needs that the Conference would address, his country also required help in obtaining relief from its daunting debt burden.  Only Liberians could achieve a real and enduring peace and build their country.  The international community expected the country to use the limited resources wisely, and he assured those present that the resources would go towards the purposes, for which they were intended.

His Government was committed to putting transparency and accountability mechanisms in place and invited the international community to assist in those efforts, he said.  The lessons of history showed that the fundamental problem of the country was underdevelopment, and unless its problems were addressed, it would remain a country in conflict.  The solution lay in long-term strategic actions.  Liberia was very grateful for being given a chance for peace.  A peaceful Liberia would have a stabilizing impact on its region.

Report from Secretary-General’s Special Representative

JACQUES PAUL KLEIN, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator for the United Nations in Liberia, said Liberia desperately needed help.  Although he had been part of three peacekeeping missions, he said he had seen nothing previously comparable to the destruction and desperate need in Liberia.  The infrastructure was in ruins; governmental institutions were broken; and civil servants had not been paid for years.  The conflict had been characterized by violations of human rights, including rape and targeting of civilians.  The international community must get it right.  “Failure to act in the past has come to haunt us”, he said.

With its extensive mandate, UNMIL had a great opportunity to assist in reconstruction of the society.  Now, resources were needed, as the Transitional Framework covered numerous crosscutting themes.  The UNMIL was active in security, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and the rule of law sector.  The National Transitional Government had already taken important steps towards good governance, such as fiscal reforms, salaries for government employees and stabilization of food prices.  Accountability for the income from forestry and diamond mining had been established.

The UNMIL had been established in five weeks, and since its deployment, the security situation had improved dramatically.  As its presence throughout the country had increased, instances of ceasefire violations had decreased.  Deployment of UNMIL civilian police would facilitate restoration of civil administration, he said.

However, lasting peace would remain elusive without the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.  The country was awash with weapons.  In spite of logistical problems, more than 12,000 combatants had been disarmed, and more than 8,000 weapons had been collected.  However, faction leaders must provide UNMIL with reliable information, and cantonment sites must be ready with logistics and personnel before disarmament, demobilization and reintegration could start again.  Without funding for rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme would not be complete.

The rule of law was the cornerstone for any society, he said.  Social, political and economic development would be impossible without a strong legal framework, including separation of power between the three sectors of government.  The UNMIL was assisting in those endeavours.  In Monrovia, two professional criminal courts would be established by the end of February.  Funding was necessary for a training programme for a police force.

Political progress was being made; the security situation was improving; and the peace process was irreversible, he said.  For the donor community, timing had never been better to help Liberia.  The most urgent needs had been outlined in the Transitional Framework.  He hoped the Conference would generate sufficient support for Liberia’s reconstruction.  “Let’s give the people of Liberia the tools and means to fulfil their dream”, he said in conclusion.

COLIN L. POWELL, Secretary of State of the United States, said his country was determined to help the long-suffering people of Liberia find the path to lasting peace.  The deeply interconnected conflicts in West Africa had laid waste to precious lives and the region’s natural bounty.  Some 200,000 people in Liberia alone had died.  Millions of West Africans had been driven from their homes, as thugs, traffickers and terrorists had rushed in to exploit the havoc, posing threats to the wider international community.  Clearly, the killing and the chaos had to stop, and the international community had taken action.

He said in Liberia, the United Nations, ECOWAS, the European Community, members of the International Contact Group, non-governmental organizations and courageous Liberians had worked in partnership to end the violence, to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, and to support those in Liberia who were working for fundamental governmental reform.  The United States was proud to have contributed to all those efforts.  The citizens of Liberia now had the opportunity to put 15 years of war, chaos and misery behind them and build a future of hope.  That promising moment was not likely to come again and the people of Liberia needed the collective help of the international community to seize it.

A Liberia at peace would be critical to peace and well-being throughout the West African region, he stressed, and Liberia’s successful reconstruction would send a powerful message to other long-troubled parts of Africa that the international community would stand behind those who seized the opportunity for peace and set their course for democracy and sustainable development.  Much had been accomplished, but a great deal was still needed to meet immediate humanitarian requirements.  There was a continued need for relief and for support of the resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration of displaced persons, refugees and former combatants.  Special emphasis must be put on female ex-combatants and especially on child soldiers.

Liberia needed help in establishing the rule of law in which accountability must prevail, he continued, and in strengthening its civil society and independent media as checks against corruption.  Assistance was needed in the preparation of free and fair presidential and congressional elections for October 2005.  The health, education, forest and farming sectors must be rebuilt.  The security sector must be reformed under civilian control.

His country had already provided nearly $90 million to address the latest humanitarian crisis and the need of refugees, he said.  Its food aid through the World Food Program (WFP) had helped hundreds of thousands of Liberians, and support for international relief agencies and non-governmental organizations had helped to meet pressing needs for water, sanitation, health and shelter.  The United States had contributed $8.5 million to train and equip civilian police and $4 million had gone to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and to support the Transitional Government.  His Government had contributed $21 million for assistance to ECOWAS peacekeepers, and Congress had appropriated an additional $200 million in humanitarian and reconstruction aid and another $245 million for United Nations peacekeeping operations in Liberia.

Ultimately, he said, it was up to the Liberians themselves to seize or to squander the moment.  Chairman Bryant of the Transitional Government had committed his Administration to “scrupulously and meticulously” implement the peace agreement.  He welcomed the fact that Chairman Bryant also had made the establishment of good relations with Liberia’s neighbours a top priority.

For too long, the countries of West Africa had suffered from deeply interconnected crises and conflicts that had common roots in corruption and criminality.  Now, West African countries must grasp the opportunity to form healthy ties of commerce and cooperation.  Holding to account those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity was an essential part of the healing process.  In that regard, Mr. Powell said, Charles Taylor should address the charges against him in the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

He said Liberia was endowed with mineral wealth, fertile soil and abundant rain.  It was home to the largest remaining virgin rainforest in West Africa, ripe for a multimillion dollar ecotourism industry.  He encouraged the World Bank and the rest of the international community to promote Liberia’s own private sector and called upon the Liberian Transitional Government to liberalize foreign trade and investment opportunities in Liberia.

The histories of the United States and Liberia had been bound together since the earliest days of both nations.  In the early decades of the nineteenth century, it was the dream of shaping their own destinies in freedom that brought Liberia’s founders back from America to Africa.  Today, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, Americans and Liberians enjoyed warm ties of kinship, commerce and a common commitment to freedom.  As Liberia’s best and oldest friend, the United States would stand by Liberia.

“Together, we will support Chairman Bryant and the men and women of Liberia as they transform their country into a place where respect for human rights, good governance and economic opportunity are the norm, and stability at home is matched by peace in the region”, he said.

HANS DAHLGREN, State Secretary of Sweden and Co-Chair of the International Contact Group on Liberia, said that there was a joint commitment from the people of the country to achieve peace and reconciliation.  The conflict had brought untold suffering to the population, especially the children.  Determination now would allow the country to achieve new goals.  For too long, the conflict had been neglected, but fortunately now, it had become possible to reverse the spiral of violence.  The ECOWAS deserved special tribute in that respect.

The interests of the European Union in Liberia were not obvious to everyone, but it both cared and wished to be involved, he continued.  One of the reasons was that the repercussions of the conflict could have an impact on the whole region.

Turning to the work of the Contact Group, he said that it had developed into a useful forum for the international community to send a unified message to the parties of the conflict.  That message had been quite simplistic -- stop fighting and start talking.  There had been progress in many areas, but the absence of war did not mean that peace had been secured.  Now, it was necessary to show full commitment to the peace process.  The people of Liberia required new support, and the new Government’s commitment to transparency needed to be implemented.  The Security Council had mandated a peacekeeping force in the country.  Now it was up to Member States not only to commit troops to the peacekeeping operation, but also to ensure that progress was achieved in other areas, as well.

It was important to put an end to impunity in the country, succeed in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process and involve women in the efforts to secure peace, he said.  From the regional perspective, full and unconditional support would be required from the country’s neighbours.  Any foreign support of the armed factions could not be tolerated.  Peace and reconciliation were possible, and the international community must demonstrate its commitment to the future of Liberia, the region of West Africa and the whole world.

NANA AKUFO-ADDO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana and Co-Chair of the International Contact Group for Liberia, described the progress achieved in Liberia since the formation of the Contact Group in September 2002, just one day prior to the attempted coup d’état in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.  He also recalled that the Group had been formed because of the recognition that the international community had not fully supported the peace initiatives of the Economic Community of West African States in Liberia in the 1990s.  Such lack of support, both politically and materially, had reduced the ability of ECOWAS and Economic Community of West African States’ Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG) to implement to the letter the 1995 Abuja Peace Accord for Liberians.  The upshot of that lukewarm stance had led to the worsening of the situation in the country and to the gradual spread of the disease of violence first to neighbouring Sierra Leone and later to Côte d’Ivoire.

Today, it was indeed gratifying to note that, since September 2002, the Contact Group had successfully focused the attention of the international community on the fratricidal conflict in Liberia that had killed almost one third of the population and turned the country into one of the least developed countries by August 2003.  He said that, thanks to the efforts of the Group, ECOWAS had felt strong enough to organize the Liberia peace conference in Accra last June, which had led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in August.  Without doubt, it had been the joint collaborative effort of ECOWAS and the Contact Group that had maintained the spotlight on Liberia through its darkest moments and brought the rest of the international community to acknowledge the urgent need for the United Nations to intervene in Liberia.

Since the inauguration of the National Transitional Government, the Group had remained committed to the successful implementation of the Accra Accord, he said.  Its weekly meetings with the Chairman of the Government enabled the Contact Group to be briefed about the programmes, to offer advice on points of contention between the Government and the National Transitional Legislative Assembly and to offer dispassionate feedback to the National Transitional Government of the effectiveness of policies it was pursuing.  The new Liberian Administration had, since its installation, initiated actions aimed at improving the situation in the country in accordance with the Peace Agreement and the expectations of the international community.  Repayment of debts owed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had resumed at the modest rate of $50,000 per month, and serious efforts had been made to end Liberia’s isolation, both on the regional and international levels.

The peace process in Liberia was at the critical stage, he said, where an eagle eye must be kept by the Contact Group on the sustained commitment of all major players to the successful and complete implementation of the Accra Peace Accord.  The Contact Group needed to look at the larger picture of sustainable peace in the Mano River Union and in West Africa.  That would be its charge as it worked towards successful elections at the end of the peace process.

In conclusion, he appealed to the international community to donate generously for the reconstruction of Liberia.  In that regard, he expressed ECOWAS’ gratitude to the Government of the United States for its recent decision to lift the “Brook Amendment”, which had disqualified Liberia from receiving direct United States assistance, and for contributing $200 million towards Liberia’s reconstruction, as well as $245 million towards the operations of UNMIL.  The ECOWAS was equally thankful to the European Union, which had established a new regime of direct aid to Liberia.  It was also surely time to address the lifting of sanctions against Liberia, which had been imposed during the era of the country’s pariah status.

The international community had done well for Liberia so far, and he was grateful for all its sacrifices, he said.  He hoped that the outcome of the Conference would lessen the needs of the country and help usher in a new era of peace and stability there.

MOHAQMED IBN CHAMBAS, Executive Secretary, Economic Community of West African States, said the comprehensive peace agreement had established the Implementation Monitoring Committee, charged with monitoring the implementation of the Accra Agreement.  Its membership consisted of:  ECOWAS, the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, Ghana, Nigeria and the United States.  The Committee would encourage all parties to work in the spirit of national reconciliation; encourage creation of an all-inclusive process, particularly geographic and gender balance; monitor progress made by UNMIL; assess progress in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation; and assess progress made in reconstruction of police force and armed forces, among other things.

As a follow-up to today’s Conference, the Implementation Monitoring Committee would be interested in progress made in establishing basic services and assessing progress made in transparency, accountability and judicious use of all resources.  At the higher level, the ECOWAS mediator would, from time to time, visit Liberia to lend his support to the work of the Monitoring Committee.  Additionally, if necessary, the Chairman of ECOWAS and others were always available to support the Committee to ensure the effective and scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement, he said.

He urged that assistance offered today to Liberia be as flexible and as quick as possible in view of the short transition period of two years.

DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, said today, the conditions had been met at last for establishing the basis for peace and development in West Africa.  Today, Liberia could put conflict behind it and rebuild a solid political and economic base.  Chairman Bryant and the Liberian political actors were determined to do so, and it was a matter of urgency, as evidenced by the very disturbing humanitarian situation.  The task was still enormous if Liberia was to emerge from a state of war that threatened the stability of the entire subregion.  That challenge had to be met on all fronts.

He said on the security front, disarmament and the reintegration of demobilized combatants must be started.  On the political front, national reconciliation had to translate into the establishment of stable institutions and lead to elections in October 2005.  On the economic front, it was important to ensure good governance and sovereign and transparent control by the State of the exploitation of natural resources.  Those must be employed for reconstruction.  “Providing appropriate controls are established, we will be able to move towards lifting the sanctions on diamond and wood exports”, he said.

France had supported the speedy allocation of over €100 million from the European Development Fund to resolve the crisis in Liberia and had contributed €25 million to it.  In the Security Council, France had immediately agreed to the deployment of 15,000 peacekeepers on the ground.  In a bilateral capacity, France was providing humanitarian aid in the amount of €1 million to meet the most pressing needs and was prepared to offer another €1 million.  France’s total effort came to €67 million.  His country was ready to examine with its partners, particularly in the Paris Club, the modalities for dealing with Liberia’s debt.

To guarantee the effectiveness of efforts in Liberia, the stability of the entire region must be ensured, he said.  In Sierra Leone, the presence of the United Nations since 1999 had extinguished one hot spot. In Côte d’Ivoire, France was heavily engaged with ECOWAS in preventing civil war supporting a political settlement to the crisis.  Today, strengthening the presence of the United Nations and establishing a peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire were indispensable.

“Let us fully realize the importance of acting in time, without waiting for crises to degenerate into chaos.  Let us also realize that only an integrated, United Nations-coordinated, regional approach can effectively deal with the crises on the African continent”, he said.  “The responses we bring together to the Liberian crisis and the problems of West Africa will be a test of our ability to act together in the cause of peace.”

Presenting the Results-Focused Transitional Framework, Financial Requirements and Coordination Mechanisms, CHRISTIAN G. HERBERT, Minister for Planning and Economic Affairs of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, said that among the mandates of his Government was demobilization of combatants, securing elections and providing livelihood for the people.  Those goals required significant resources.  However, massive destruction of the infrastructure, reduction of the production capacity and the country’s heavy debt burden made that difficult.

The cost of post-war reconstruction was enormous, he said.  An assessment of needs had been conducted in an effort to mobilize external input in the two-year transition period.  The main priority clusters that had been identified included disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation, return of refugees, promotion of good governance and the rule of law, restoration of productive capacity and rebuilding of infrastructure.  During a series of national consultations, those conclusions had been endorsed by all the country’s players.  The details of the assessment were contained in the document before the Conference.  Those were not over-ambitious projections.  The money was needed to ensure the success of the peace process and to save lives.

Yesterday’s discussions had brought together Member States, representatives of international agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society, he continued.  The full requirements for full implementation of the Results-Focused Transitional Framework amounted to some $487.7 million, divided between $243 million for 2004 and $244.7 million for 2005.  Donations should be considered as life-saving contributions.  The generous assistance and support of all members of the international community were needed.

ABDOULAYE BIO-TCHANE, Director of Africa Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), assured the Conference that the IMF would work closely with the Transitional Government and the international community to contribute to the reconstruction of the Liberian economy, destroyed by civil war.  The IMF had made early contact with the Transitional Government and had assessed the economic situation.  There were continued discussions about the 2004 budget, discussions which were open and positive.  He was encouraged that the Transitional Government had taken steps to boost revenues among other things.

In the future, he said, the Fund would support further efforts to restore good governance.  The Government had already identified a number of measures to build a stronger budget process and enhance revenues, and it would help in enabling a full revival of the private sector.  The IMF would focus on establishing a full transparent budget process and monetary policy.  It would also provide technical assistance in rebuilding institutional capacity.  It was important for donors that fully recorded information was provided in order to ensure transparency and accountability.  The IMF stood ready to contribute to reconstruction of Liberia’s institutions and economy in areas of its expertise.

Mr. KITT, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights of Ireland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, stressed the importance of being realistic.  The challenges facing Liberia were enormous, and the peace process remained fragile.  The economy had collapsed.  Yet those challenges were not unique.  The donors had gained valuable experience and lessons from similar post-conflict situations.  Those lessons should be incorporated in all recovery and reconstruction activities.  The importance of coordination could not be over-emphasized.

The two most critical lessons seemed to be that the process had to be “owned” by the population concerned, and that high levels of international engagement needed to be sustained for many years.  From his own experience in Northern Ireland, he knew that it was difficult to achieve lasting peace where deep divisions and suspicions existed.  It would be counterproductive to impose absolute conditions.  What was required was motivation and support, rather than prescription.  Nevertheless, the European Union requested the Liberian delegation to give civil society a strong position in government and administration vis-à-vis the formed belligerents, so as not to give the impression that warring parties were rewarded to the disadvantage of civil society.

The international community could help, but Liberia must be rebuilt by Liberians, he said.  The pledges of financial support were welcome and heartening as an indication of the real international commitment to rebuilding Liberia.  Financial resources alone were, of course, not sufficient.  The way in which those resources were translated into actions and programmes would be key to the outcome of the efforts.  In that connection, he listed the main priorities in the country, including the need to build local institutions, ensure good governance and address the problem of HIV/AIDS.  The process must be managed carefully in order to balance the international community’s understandable desire to achieve early results with the capacity of the Transitional Government to manage the process.  It was critically important not to lose sight of the urgency of the humanitarian situation.

Last August, the European Union had already agreed to make €50 million available to support the peace process in Liberia, he continued.  At that time, the ECOWAS had deployed troops to help enforce respect for the ceasefire agreement, and the Union had been pleased to assist it in its efforts.  European Development Funds had been set aside for supporting disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation efforts in Liberia, and last month, a first contribution agreement of €4 million had been signed between the European Commission and the UNDP in order to contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund.  Those activities would be complemented by local community development activities and would be financed from an ongoing €25 million programme for refugees and internally displaced persons.

Through the European Community Humanitarian Office, the European Union would continue to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance as it had done last year, he said.  In 2003, the Office had made €12 million available for humanitarian activities in Liberia that were currently being implemented by the non-governmental organization community.  For 2004, some €7 million to €8 million from the regional programme would be focused on Liberia.  Much more needed to be done, however.

The Results-Focused Transition Framework clearly spelled out the needs of the country for the next two years, he continued.  The European Union was prepared to do more, and he was pleased to inform the Conference that last December, €55 million had been allocated from the ninth European Development Fund.

In conclusion, he pledged the Union’s continued support for Liberia.  The European Community alone had provided an overall amount of €125 million in 2003 and 2004.  Depending on the overall cooperation reviews to be carried out this year, progress in implementing the funds committed so far and success in meeting the political benchmarks, the allocation of further funds was not excluded.

Finally, speaking on behalf of his own delegation, he outlined the assistance that Ireland proposed to provide to Liberia.  The country had deployed 430 members of the Defence Forces for the UNMIL operation.  It had also provided €2.5 million in humanitarian assistance last year.  Now, he wished to pledge an addition €5 million in recovery and humanitarian assistance for the next 24 months.

ANNIKA SODER, Deputy Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden, pointed out that today’s hope of lasting peace and development in Liberia placed responsibility on the international community.  “It is difficult; it places demands on all of us”, she said.

The primary responsibility lay with the Liberians themselves, she continued.  The Transitional Government must work to ensure transparency and national ownership.  The Liberian parties must work constructively together, and in collaboration with the international community, to achieve long-term peace and development.  The willingness of the international community to support the reconstruction efforts would depend on the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Liberia put the international community to the test, she said.  The reconstruction plan and the multifunctional United Nations mission represented a unique opportunity to prove the power of Member States’ commitment to effective teamwork and multilateralism.  The impressive work with the Results Focused Transitional Framework paved the way for coherent action.  The mandate of UNMIL must be fully implemented.  Its forces must be rapidly deployed across Liberia in order to promote security and prepare the ground for reconstruction work, as well as humanitarian action.  Humanitarian access to the entire country was a top priority.

Regarding regional efforts, she said that ECOWAS and its MemberStates, in particular Liberia’s neighbours, would remain key partners in consolidating the gains.  She urged all regional parties to find peaceful solutions for still ongoing conflicts in the region.  Member States of the United Nations were duty-bound to assist.  Timely and sustainable financial support for the reconstruction plan was critical.  Among the specific areas that must not be overlooked, she mentioned rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, judicial reform and the building of democratic institutions, empowerment of women and meeting the humanitarian needs.

Sweden would respond to the needs of the Liberian people with a set of contributions, she said, ranging from immediate security needs to long-term development efforts.  Its total contribution amounted to €45 million for the coming two years.  Her country intended to contribute a mechanized rifle company of 240 troops to UNMIL, expected to arrive in a few weeks.  It also intended to make a second contribution to the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme, when it began its full-scale operations.

KEITH BROWN, Deputy-Assistant Administrator for Africa, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the United States had worked in close partnership with the Transitional Government and donor groups to organize today’s Conference and was committed to help rebuild Liberia’s infrastructure and economy.  The Transitional Framework provided an excellent blueprint in that regard.  Earlier, his Secretary of State had addressed America’s contributions, he said, and added that existing United States resources included contributions to the DDR Trust Fund.

Today, the United States Government was committing $245 million for peacekeeping activities and $200 million for reconstruction.  Contributions would focus on:  humanitarian assistance, community-based reintegration, support for Transitional Government, health and education, and security reform.

Humanitarian assistance would focus on internally displaced persons and refugees.  The United States, regarding community-based reintegration, would support efforts to resettle ex-combatants, refugees and internally displaced persons, offer counselling, and assist in reunification, reconciliation, skills training and construction of schools and clinics, all with a special emphasis on the special needs of women and children.  His country would provide targeted support to civil society organizations.  It would also support agricultural efforts, including rehabilitation of the country’s natural resources.  Efforts to bolster transparency of the Transitional Government would also receive support, and access to information through a free and independent media would be promoted.  The United States would further support human rights and justice activities with emphasis on police and judicial reforms.

In the health and education sector, the United States would underwrite improvement in health and education systems, rehabilitate critical health-care infrastructures, refurbish classrooms and help in teacher training.  The United States also would play a leading role in reform of security forces.  An initial security assessment team had recently returned to Liberia.

CHRIS MULLIN, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, United Kingdom, said that the “R”s in “DDRR” were of vital importance.  Reintegration and rehabilitation were pre-conditions for success.  He also stressed the need to ensure that all different agencies were on the same line.  Strong overall leadership from the United Nations in that regard was essential.  There was also a need for a regional approach, he said.  A lasting peace in one country could not be built while instability existed in another.  The serious problems such as cross-border movement of armed groups and small arms, as well as exploitation of child soldiers must not be neglected.  The fragile peace in Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire must be consolidated.

The United Kingdom stood ready to play its part in Liberia, he said.  Last year, his country had contributed $30 million to UNMIL and $13 million to non-governmental organizations active in Liberia.  It had contributed roughly $12 million to European Union assistance to the country.  The United Kingdom’s share in UNMIL this year was $46 million and its contribution to the European Union was $12 million.  The United Kingdom would contribute $6.5 million to humanitarian agencies and $27 million to disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation.  His country’s overall contribution would be in region of $72 million.  He expected that the United Kingdom would make further substantial commitments for 2005.

MASAHARU KOHNO, African Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan, welcomed the convening of the meeting at the time when significant progress had been achieved in the peace process in Liberia.  Consolidation of peace in Liberia was of utmost importance for the West African region as a whole.  It was one of the pillars of Japan’s cooperation with Africa.  Recognizing the extreme importance of the United Nations role in Liberia, Japan was providing up to 20 per cent of the financing of its Mission there – almost $90 million for UNMIL.  His country was committed to providing continued support.

Japan intended to provide assistance towards realizing human security in Liberia and to participate in the rebuilding efforts there.  Based on the needs assessment study, his Government was seriously examining the possibility of its aid and the forms it would take in such areas as repatriation and assistance to refugees; disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation; and ensuring stability in the region.  It would continue providing assistance to concrete activities in Liberia through ECOWAS.  Japan also encouraged non-governmental organization activities in the country.

Today, he wanted to outline the position of his country, and the numbers would follow, he said.  The year 2004 would be important for peace and security in Africa, and Liberia was an important aspect of the situation on the continent.  Japan stood ready to provide assistance to the country.

SAID DJINNIT, Commissioner for Peace and Security, African Union, urged the Liberian parties to live up to their commitments and scrupulously implement the peace agreement.  He said the African Union remained engaged in support of the peace process in Liberia and had been actively supporting ECOWAS during the Accra talks.  Since then, the African Union had been supporting implementation of the agreements within the framework of the Implementation Monitoring Committee.

Today’s conference provided an opportunity for the international community to acknowledge efforts of Liberians towards a new political future.  In drawing lessons from the tragic past of Liberia, he emphasized the need to undertake an effective disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme as an essential condition for ensuring a sure transition from war to peace.  He stressed that promoting national reconciliation and restructuring national police, as well as other necessary efforts, required support in the form of concrete financial contributions.

Additional pledges were also made during the Statements and Pledges session this afternoon.  The figures are preliminary and subject to further confirmation.

Additional Pledges

African Development Bank:  $500,000 ($USD)

World Bank:  $25 million ($USD)

Nigeria:  $1 million ($USD)

(represented at the Ministerial level)

Denmark:  $1.2 million ($USD)

Finland:  €1.33 million

Germany:  €10.8 million

Greece:  $40,000 ($USD)

Iceland:  $15,000 ($USD)

Italy:  €1 million (through WFP)

Netherlands:  €3.5 million

Norway:  $10 million ($USD)

Switzerland:  SwF 4 million

In his statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco reiterated his country’s willingness to host, once the appropriate conditions were met, a second summit among the three Heads of State of the Mano River Union and assist in the training and rehabilitation of Liberian security forces.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of Benin expressed his country’s readiness to increase its contingent participating in UNMIL.  The Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs of the Gambia said that his country was prepared to increase its contribution within UNMIL.  The monetary amount that his country was prepared to pledge would be ascertained and made known in due course.  Several other country representatives, including Foreign Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, also promised pledges at a later date.

The Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso said his country was committed to sharing its expertise with Liberia, intending to send teams of experts in the areas of water and agriculture to that country.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation said that in recent years, his country had written off African debts in the amount of over
$11.2 billion.  In that connection, he supported the wish expressed by the Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia to consider in the nearest future, within the framework of the Paris Club, the issue of external debt of Liberia in order to diminish it.

Willingness to assist in the rehabilitation of Liberia was also expressed by the Foreign Minister of Namibia and Minister for the Promotion of Democracy and the Rule of Law of Togo, as well as representatives of Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan and Tunisia.  Speakers described their countries’ contribution to the peace process and outlined projects, which could help to bring normalcy and stability to the war-torn country.  They stressed the importance of international support for Liberia’s reconstruction and development and appealed for sustained commitment to alleviating the suffering of the country’s long-suffering population.

Closing Remarks from Co-Chairs

Mr. MADAVO, Regional Vice-President, Africa Region, World Bank, reported that pledges received totalled about $520 million.  It was a very strong showing of support of the international community.  However, it was one thing to pledge funds, he said, but it was another to commit those funds as soon as possible.  It was important to follow through and commit the funds.

The challenge now was implementation, he said, in which flexibility was important.  Coordination was going to be key to success, with the Transitional Government leading the way.

ANDREW NATSIOS, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said he was leaving the Conference optimistic, provided that all would keep their promises.  Today, he had seen no evidence of donor fatigue.  He stressed that it was imperative for all to work together in a cooperative and transparent manner.  Peace in Liberia was still fragile.  A comprehensive peace across the country was yet to be seen.  It would be important for the Transitional Government to operate with urgency and speed and to govern in an open, transparent and accountable manner.

Mr. KLEIN thanked the participants for their pledges and contributions.  Some 76 countries were represented in UNMIL, ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe.  It truly was a United Nations Mission.  Troop contributors should be proud of their contingents.  The Mission would do its best to stabilize the country as soon as possible and create a safe and secure environment there.

Chairman BRYANT also expressed gratitude to the participants of the Conference.  One of the initiatives that had been launched with the help of the international community was a weekly meeting involving all the players, including international agencies.  The process had been designed to ensure that all the partners were in the undertaking together so that, in the end, there would be accountability and transparency.  That practice would continue.  The Liberian people, their children and the children yet to be born would be thankful to the donors.

MARK MALLOCH BROWN, Administrator and Chair, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said there was no sign of donor fatigue, as the $500 million mark had been broken, which signified a real tribute to the commitment to Liberia.  There was, however, no time for complacency.  It had to be ensured that the money flowed in a flexible, integrated way and that programmes were implemented under the leadership of the Transitional Government.

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