ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN LIBERIA, 3 - 5 JULY

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, from Sierra Leone, on Monday evening, 3 July.

On arrival at United Nations headquarters, the Secretary-General was briefed by his Special Representative for Liberia, Alan Doss, and the senior team.

On Tuesday morning, the Secretary-General met with Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at Monrovia’s Executive Mansio.

Following the meeting, which was attended by a number of Liberian Cabinet ministers, the Secretary-General and the President briefly spoke to the press.

He said that it “was an honour and a duty to work with the Liberian people to get to where we are today.  And we will continue to support your efforts to rebuild this wonderful nation.”

He stressed the need for Liberia, and the United Nations, to work with other countries in the region.  The peace Liberia has achieved needs to be consolidated, he said, “in the full knowledge that the neighbourhood itself is also transforming itself”.

The Secretary-General then travelled across the road to address a joint session of the Liberian Legislature.  As the first non-Liberian to address such a session, the Secretary-General congratulated the Liberian people on their successful implementation of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  “Too often, in too many countries”, he said, “peace agreements have failed to bring peace.  This time, it was different, and all Liberians should be proud.”  (See Press Release SG/SM/10550.)

He urged the Government to consolidate its authority throughout the country, and work to meet conditions that will allow sanctions to be lifted.  Last, but not least, he added, Liberia needs to restore economic growth and gain the confidence of donors.

He promised that the United Nations family would continue to be at Liberia’s side on many fronts.  Too many times, the Secretary-General told the assembled legislators, we have witnessed international actors leaving too hurriedly.  This early departure can reverse hard-won results and weaken the attempts we are making to build solid societies, he added.  We cannot allow this to happen in Liberia, the Secretary-General concluded.

Early that afternoon, the Secretary-General inaugurated the new headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the Pan African Plaza building.  (See Press Release SG/SM/10549.)

He told the assembled crowd, which included President Johnson Sirleaf, who jointly inaugurated the offices with the Secretary-General, that the building was a powerful symbol of Liberia’s rebirth.  “For years”, he said, “it was an empty shell, a tragic testament to the waste of war”, but today its stands as a testament of the partnership between Liberia and the United Nations in rebuilding the country.

At a press conference later, the Secretary-General was asked about Security Council sanctions on that country, and he noted that the sanctions on timber have been lifted by the Council.  He said “I have no doubt that, in due course, in a reasonable period, the sanctions would be lifted, because we and the Security Council would want to see Liberia move on, exploit its resources for its own development and for the benefit of the people.”

Asked what the United Nations could do to prevent any future instability in Liberia, given other peacebuilding failures, the Secretary-General said that he does not accept the premise that “the UN should not establish democracies around the world.  “If we don’t do it, who will do it?  Do you want to go the way of Somalia?”  He added “We are giving you a second chance to redeem your country, and I think you can do it.”

In the early evening, the Secretary-General returned to the Executive Mansion, where he was conferred, by the President, the Order of Knighthood of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia.

Responding to remarks by the President, the Secretary-General thanked her, and said that the Liberian peace process, which had culminated in the election of Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf, was an inspiration to the entire world.  Now, he added, the world will follow attentively “ Liberia’s work to open a new chapter of reconciliation and reconstruction, underpinned by good governance, the rule of and respect for human rights”.

The Secretary-General and his party departed Liberia for Côte d’Ivoire early on Wednesday, 5 July.