LIBERIA’S PROGRESS OFFERS HOPE, BUT CONTINUING SUPPORT FROM INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

NEEDED TO ENTRENCH LASTING PEACE, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO WASHINGTON FORUM

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Liberia Partner’s Forum, delivered by Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Liberia, in Washington D.C., 13 February:

Three years ago, as Liberia emerged from 14 years of war, many of you gathered in New York for a donors’ conference.  At that time, the country’s infrastructure was in shambles, State institutions were nonexistent, Monrovia lay in ruins and thousands of people remained displaced.

Since then, Liberia has made real progress towards restoring and consolidating peace:

-- Former armed factions have been dismantled, and more than 100,000 combatants have been disarmed;

-- Free and fair elections in late 2005 led to a new democratic Government headed by President [Ellen] Johnson-Sirleaf;

-- More than a half million displaced Liberians have returned to their homes;

-- The training of a new police force and of the army is well under way; and

-- Sanctions on the country’s timber have been lifted, and an economic governance reform programme is being implemented.

As a result, Liberians finally have reason to be hopeful about their future: school enrolment is at an all-time high; children are being vaccinated; civil servants are being paid on a regular basis; and corruption is being investigated and prosecuted.  Liberia is fast emerging as a pillar of stability in the region.

These are welcome developments, but they represent, at best, the end of the beginning.  Much work lies ahead to entrench lasting peace and development in this war-ravaged part of Africa.  Liberia’s Government and citizens will necessarily take the lead in such efforts.  But, to succeed, they must be able to count on the continuing and collective support of the international community.

The Government’s interim Poverty Reduction Strategy outlines priority areas needing urgent assistance.  These projects range from the reintegration of the country’s war-affected population and reform of the security sector, to the rehabilitation of Liberia’s legal, judicial and correctional systems.  Donor support is also being sought for employment generation, restoration of basic services such as electricity and water, and infrastructure rehabilitation.  Today, I appeal to all of Liberia’s partners to contribute generously towards these programmes.

Let me assure you that the United Nations remains committed to doing its part.  UNMIL [United Nations Mission in Liberia] will continue to provide security and public order in the country.  It will work with our partners to help Liberia restructure its security agencies.  We will also work with the Government to develop a carefully calibrated drawdown plan for UNMIL.  This plan requires the approval of the Security Council, and it needs to be linked to the Government’s capacity to shoulder its security and law and order responsibilities.  In the meantime, the entire United Nations family in Liberia will continue to support the Government’s national reconstruction and development agenda.

Liberia has weathered terrible conflict.  Growing up in war-torn Korea, I observed firsthand how such strife robs individuals of opportunities for a decent life, and entire societies of prosperity.  But, I also saw my country overcome that terrible legacy, and achieve great prosperity.  I am confident that, with your support and its peoples’ efforts, Liberia can -- and will -- succeed as well.

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For information media • not an official record