By Unanimous Adoption of Resolution 1071 (1996), Council Stresses
Continued International Support Dependant on Factions' Commitment to Peace
Calling upon the Liberian factions to implement fully and expeditiously
all their agreements and commitments, the Security Council today extended the
mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) for three
months until 30 November. The mandate was due to expire today.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1071 (1996), the Council stressed that
the continued support of the international community for the peace process in
Liberia, including the participation of UNOMIL, was contingent on the Liberian
factions demonstrating their commitment to resolve their differences
peacefully and to achieve national reconciliation in accordance with the 17
August Abuja Agreement.
The Council welcomed the Agreement, adopted at the summit of the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria, which
extended the 1995 Abuja Agreement until 1997, and established a timetable for
its implementation. The summit also adopted a mechanism for verification of
the Agreement's compliance by the faction leaders as well as a proposal for
possible measures for non-compliance.
By the terms of today's resolution, the Secretary-General was to report
to the Council by 15 October with proposals for assistance which UNOMIL or
other United Nations agencies could provide in support of the Liberian peace
process, including the election process, disarmament, demobilization and
verification of compliance by the factions.
The Council decided to maintain UNOMIL deployments at an appropriate
level as recommended by the Secretary-General and requested that he take into
account the need to ensure the security of UNOMIL personnel and advise on any
planned further deployments. The Secretary-General had recommended the
deployment of an additional 24 military observers, as well as additional
civilian personnel. Currently there are 10 military observers in Liberia.
By other terms of the text, the Council demanded once more that the
factions and their leaders strictly respect the status of the personnel of the
Security Council - 1a - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG),
UNOMIL and international organizations and agencies, including humanitarian
assistance workers. It further demanded that the factions facilitate the
freedom of movement of UNOMIL and the delivery of humanitarian assistance and
that they strictly abide by the relevant principles and rules of international
humanitarian law.
The Council condemned all attacks against and intimidation of personnel
of ECOMOG, UNOMIL and international organizations and agencies delivering
humanitarian assistance as well as the looting of their equipment, supplies
and personal property and called upon the faction leaders to ensure the
immediate return of looted property. The Secretary-General was requested to
include in his 15 October report information on how much of the stolen
property had been returned. He was also requested to include details of the
inhumane and abhorrent practice by some factions to recruit, train and deploy
children for combat which the Council condemned.
The Council stressed the obligation of all States to comply strictly
with and ensure strict implementation of the embargo on all deliveries of
weapons and military equipment to Liberia imposed by its resolution 788
(1992). All violations of the embargo were to be brought before the Council
Committee established pursuant to resolution 985 (1995) of 13 April 1995,
which monitors its implementation.
Member States were urged to provide financial, logistical and other
assistance in support of ECOMOG to assist it to carry out its mandate. They
were also urged to contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund for Liberia.
Statements in the debate were made by the representatives of Italy,
Egypt, Botswana, China, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea,
Honduras, Russian Federation, Guinea-Bissau, Poland, Chile, United States,
France and Germany. The representatives of Liberia and Nigeria also addressed
the Council.
The meeting was called to order at 12 noon and adjourned at 1:41 p.m.
Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
Report of Secretary-General
As the Security Council met this afternoon it had before it a report of
the Secretary-General (document S/1996/684) in which he recommends a three-
month extension of the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in
Liberia (UNOMIL). Should the factions demonstrate their full commitment to
the peace process, the Secretary-General says he would provide to the Council
by mid-October recommendations on any enhanced United Nations role that may be
needed to support the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and create conditions conducive to peace, stability and national
reconciliation in Liberia.
In the meantime, he intends to deploy to Liberia an additional 24
military observers, as well as additional essential civilian personnel in the
fields of disarmament, elections, human rights and public information, as well
as administration, to assist UNOMIL to respond to developments on the ground.
Currently there are 10 military observers remaining in Liberia. Some 83
observers have been repatriated since the outbreak of hostilities and
breakdown of the peace process on 6 April. Should the pace of implementation
of the military provisions of the August 1996 Abuja Agreement necessitate a
further increase in the military strength of UNOMIL, the Secretary-General
says he would consider the deployment of some additional military observers,
within the Mission's currently authorized strength of 160 and inform the
Security Council accordingly in his mid-October report.
A new timetable for the implementation of the Abuja Agreement was
adopted at an ECOWAS summit on 17 August preceded by discussions of ECOWAS
Foreign Ministers. The timetable is contained in Annex I of the Secretary-
General's report. It calls for the restoration of the cease-fire by
31 August, concluding with installation of a new government on 15 June 1997.
The Foreign Ministers recommended that the revised timetable be divided
into five stages with a built-in monitoring mechanism to ensure its strict
compliance. At every stage, ECOWAS would verify that the necessary steps had
been implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement and its
timetable. Any person or group found responsible for obstructing the
implementation of the Agreement would be subject to the imposition of
sanctions by ECOWAS. Such sanctions would include, inter alia, restrictions
on travel and imports and freezing of business activities and assets in the
subregion. The Foreign Ministers also recommended that a code of conduct be
established for members of the Council of State and transitional government.
The Foreign Ministers discussed the conditions to be met in order to
hold free and fair elections, including, inter alia: an unequivocal agreement
by those contesting the elections to respect their outcome; a fair electoral
law, including the basis of representation; the creation of a level playing
Security Council - 4 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
field to ensure that all parties would have fair and equal access to voters
and that civil society would be able to publicize its views; an independent
electoral commission; adequate post-election constitutional guarantees for
protecting the interest of political minorities and a basic level of security
to permit the fulfilment of these conditions.
In meetings held on 15 and 16 August, the faction leaders and Liberian
civilian groups agreed to the decisions reached by the ECOWAS Foreign
Ministers, as well as the need to appoint a new Chairperson of the Council of
State. In their meeting on 17 August, the ECOWAS Heads of State endorsed the
decisions taken by the Foreign Ministers and the designation of Ruth Perry, a
former Senator from Grand Cape Mount county and a former member of the
Transitional Legislative Assembly, as the new Chairperson of the Council of
State. The ECOWAS Heads of State also agreed not to recognize any government
that came to power in Liberia through the use of force. They called for the
full enforcement of the arms embargo and decided that they would, if and when
necessary, call on the United Nations Security Council to impose visa
restrictions on recalcitrant faction leaders. They also endorsed the decision
of the Foreign Ministers to seek the assistance of the United Nations in the
organization of elections in Liberia.
The Secretary-General says the type of assistance expected has not yet
been defined, although some have suggested that the United Nations should play
an enhanced role in the organization and conduct of the elections. The
holding of free and fair elections requires that a number of conditions are
fulfilled. While these conditions were discussed at the ECOWAS summit, the
modalities for their implementation are still to be worked out, according to
the Secretary-General. Among other things, he says the electoral law must be
reviewed, the basis of representation decided upon, and the question of the
Electoral Commission addressed to ensure its full independence.
Under its present mandate, provided under resolution 1020 (1995) of
10 November 1995, UNOMIL is to observe and verify the election process, in
consultation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ECOWAS,
including the legislative and presidential elections to be held in accordance
with the provisions of the peace agreements. Any change in that mandate
would only be considered on the basis of an official request defining the type
of assistance sought from the organization. Such a change would have to be
approved by the Security Council.
The cease-fire in Monrovia, which was re-established on 26 May with the
deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city, is generally holding. Economic
Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG) reported
that, by the end of May, between 70 and 80 per cent of the fighters of the
National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and Alhaji Kromah's wing of United
Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) had withdrawn from the
Security Council - 5 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
city. However, many of these fighters remain on the outskirts of the city and
as many as 4,000 NPFL fighters have reportedly assembled at Kakata, some 55
kilometres north of Monrovia. The withdrawal of ULIMO-J and Liberian Peace
Council (LPC) fighters from Monrovia was more difficult, as they argued that
their strongholds in Tubmanburg, Todee, Kakata and Bong Mines, to which they
were to withdraw, were insecure.
The ECOMOG has launched a cordon and search operation in and around
Monrovia to collect the arms left behind by the factions upon their withdrawal
from the city. The UNOMIL is verifying this process and is assisting ECOMOG
to keep a systematic record of the weapons collected and in making
arrangements for their storage.
Despite substantial improvement since restoration of the cease-fire in
Monrovia, the security situation in the city remains a cause for concern, the
Secretary-General states. Recent weeks have witnessed a new wave of violence
in Monrovia, some of which may have been politically motivated. Given the
limited means of evacuation from Monrovia and precarious security situation,
UNOMIL maintained a restricted strength of international civilian personnel
and military observers during the reporting period. However, in view of
recent progress in the peace process, the Secretary-General says he intends to
deploy to Liberia additional essential military and civilian personnel to
assist UNOMIL to respond to developments on the ground. The Mission's
security and evacuation plans will be adjusted accordingly to ensure that all
personnel are able to operate in conditions of safety and security.
The Secretary-General says a total of 489 vehicles, valued at
$8,313,342, were taken from UNOMIL, the United Nations agencies and
non-governmental organizations during the recent hostilities in Monrovia.
Despite the assurances given by the faction leaders, only 11 vehicles have
been recovered. The return of United Nations looted property also remains a
concern of ECOMOG. Unfortunately, the factions have not cooperated with
ECOMOG in its attempts to retrieve looted vehicles. During its recent meeting
in Abuja, ECOWAS decided that the faction leaders should be held fully
responsible for the looted vehicles and called on the leaders to return them
to their rightful owners.
The Secretary-General expresses support for the renewed commitment of
ECOWAS to restoring peace and a democratically elected government in Liberia
and to remain engaged in the country until a new government is installed on 15
June 1997, in accordance with the revised timetable of the Abuja Agreement.
The steps taken by ECOMOG to reinvigorate its presence and ensure its
viability as an effective peace-keeping force represent another positive
development in the Liberian peace process. The Secretary-General also says
that those efforts could be compromised, however, if ECOMOG is not provided
Security Council - 6 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
with additional manpower, as well as with adequate and dependable financial
and logistic resources, necessary to carry out its tasks.
The Secretary-General notes that the Government of the United States has
recently renewed its pledge of an additional $30 million in support for
ECOMOG, part of which has already been committed. Further assistance is
urgently required if the tight implementation schedule agreed upon by ECOWAS
is to be adhered to. He urges potential donor countries to support ECOMOG and
to provide concrete assistance for the peace-keeping force as soon as
possible.
Noting the decision of the ECOWAS States to give Liberia's factions a
last chance despite their frustration with the situation and the lack of
cooperation, the Secretary-General urges the faction leaders to remember the
precedent of Somalia. He hoped that they would seize the opportunity to
restore peace in their country. "For if they do not, the international
community may have no choice but to disengage from Liberia", he adds.
Text of Draft Resolution
The Council has before it a draft resolution (document S/1996/701*) the
text of which reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous resolutions concerning the situation in
Liberia, in particular resolution 1059 (1996) of 31 May 1996,
"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 22 August
1996 (S/1996/684) on the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL),
"Noting the letter of 21 August 1996 to the President of the Security
Council containing the Final Communique of the Heads of State and Government
of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) Committee of Nine of
Liberia, held at Abuja on 17 August 1996 (S/1996/679),
"Welcoming the increasing restoration of Monrovia as a safe haven,
"Emphasizing once again that the people of Liberia and their leaders
bear the ultimate responsibility for achieving peace and national
reconciliation,
"Recognizing the positive role of ECOWAS in its efforts to restore
peace, security and stability in Liberia,
Security Council - 7 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
"Expressing its appreciation to those African States contributing troops
to the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG),
"Commending also those Member States that have supported the peace
process, UNOMIL, and ECOMOG, including through contributions to the United
Nations trust fund for Liberia,
"Stressing also that the continued presence of UNOMIL in Liberia is
predicated on the presence of ECOMOG and its commitment to ensure the safety
of UNOMIL and emphasizing the need for enhanced coordination between UNOMIL
and ECOMOG,
"1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General dated 22 August 1996;
"2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNOMIL until 30 November 1996;
"3. Welcomes the agreement of ECOWAS in Abuja on 17 August 1996, which
extended the 1995 Abuja agreement until 15 June 1997, established a timetable
for implementation of the agreement, adopted a mechanism to verify compliance
by the faction leaders with the agreement, and proposed possible measures
against the factions in the event of noncompliance;
"4. Calls upon the Liberian factions to implement fully and
expeditiously all the agreements and commitments they have entered into;
"5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council
by 15 October 1996 with proposals for assistance which UNOMIL or other United
Nations agencies could provide in support of the Liberian peace process,
including support for the election process, disarmament, demobilization, and
verification of compliance by the factions;
"6. Further decides to maintain UNOMIL deployments at an appropriate
level as recommended in the report of the Secretary-General and requests that
the Secretary-General take into account the need to ensure the security of
UNOMIL personnel and advise the Council of any planned further deployments;
"7. Stresses that the continued support of the international community
for the peace process in Liberia, including the participation of UNOMIL, is
contingent on the Liberian factions' demonstrating their commitment to resolve
their differences peacefully and to achieve national reconciliation in
accordance with the agreement reached in Abuja on 17 August 1996;
"8. Condemns all attacks against and intimidation of personnel of
ECOMOG, UNOMIL, and the international organizations and agencies delivering
humanitarian assistance as well as the looting of their equipment, supplies,
and personal property, calls upon the leaders of the factions to ensure the
Security Council - 8 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
immediate return of looted property, and requests the Secretary-General to
include in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above information on how much
of the stolen property has been returned;
"9. Condemns the practice of some factions of recruiting, training,
and deploying children for combat, and requests the Secretary-General to
include in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above details on this
inhumane an abhorrent practice;
"10. Demands once more that the factions and their leaders strictly
respect the status of the personnel of ECOMOG, UNOMIL and international
organizations and agencies, including humanitarian assistance workers, and
further demands that these factions facilitate the freedom of movement of
UNOMIL and the delivery of humanitarian assistance and that they strictly
abide by the relevant principles and rules of international humanitarian law;
"11. Stresses the importance of respect for human rights in Liberia and
also the human rights aspect of UNOMIL's mandate;
"12. Stresses the obligation of all States to comply strictly with the
embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia imposed
by resolution 788 (1992) of 19 November 1992, to take all actions necessary to
ensure strict implementation of the embargo, and to bring all instances of
violations of the embargo before the Committee established pursuant to
resolution 985 (1995) of 13 April 1995;
"13. Urges all States to provide financial, logistical and other
assistance in support of ECOMOG to assist it to carry out its mandate;
"14. Urges all States to contribute to the United Nations trust fund
for Liberia;
"15. Stresses the importance of close contacts and enhanced
coordination between UNOMIL and ECOMOG in their operational activities at all
levels and calls on ECOMOG, in accordance with the agreement regarding the
respective roles and responsibilities of UNOMIL and ECOMOG in the
implementation of the Cotonou agreement (S/26272) and with the UNOMIL concept
of operations, to provide security for UNOMIL;
"16. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Security
Council closely informed of the situation in Liberia;
"17. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
Security Council - 9 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
Statements
WILLIAM BULL (Liberia) said the outbreak of hostilities in his country
last April was a serious setback to the peace process. That there was renewed
hope today in the continued progress and viability of the Abuja Accord was due
to the commendable efforts of the leaders of the ECOWAS and other national,
regional and international actors who had worked tirelessly over the past four
months to prevent the country's slide into a state of anarchy. Since the
signing of the revised Abuja Agreement which incorporated far-reaching
decisions including a new timetable for encampment, disarmament and
reintegration of combatants and the holding of democratic elections by 30 May
1997, the leaders of the warring factions had pledged anew their commitment to
the implementation of the revised agreement.
The repeated failure of the warring factions to honour more than 12
previous agreements had raised reasonable doubts about their sincerity and
commitment to those new undertakings, he continued. Nevertheless, the
delegation of Liberia believed that several recent developments had increased
the prospects for peaceful transition in Liberia. First, the Heads of State
and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had adopted a
resolution during their annual meeting held in Yaounde, 8-10 July, which
threatened the faction leaders with punitive measures including imposition of
sanctions against them and the possibility of establishing a war crimes
tribunal for Liberia. That OAU resolve had been reinforced on the sub-
regional level by the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS during their
summits held in Abuja from 26-27 July and 17 August respectively.
The resumption of armed hostilities in April and the inability of any
warring faction to overwhelm the other even with the non-intervention of the
ECOMOG had clearly demonstrated that there cannot be any victor in the war, he
said. The ECOWAS member States had taken concerted action on several
important issues: the Abuja Agreement had been extended until 15 June 1997
and a new timetable formulated for its implementation. Other member States in
the sub-region, Mali, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire had decided to
deploy troops or personnel to Liberia. Moreover, there was a new resolve by
the ECOWAS countries, under the leadership of its current Chairman, President
Sani Abacha of Nigeria, to remain fully engaged in the resolution of the
Liberian conflict.
He said the re-emergence of civil society in the peace process reflected
the resolve of the civilian majority to actively participate in decisions
affecting them. It was civilian groups which had advocated a change in the
chairmanship of the Council of State leading to the selection of Ruth Perry,
former Senator of Grand Cape county and the first female, to assume the
highest post in government since the country's independence 149 years ago.
She was expected to be formally inaugurated in Monrovia on Tuesday, 3
Security Council - 10 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
September. Those developments made his delegation confident that if internal
and external pressures were maintained on the present leadership, the faction
leaders would realize that it was in their best interest to implement, without
further delay, the provisions of the Abuja Agreement.
It was well known, he said, that since the commencement of the civil
crisis, the member States of ECOWAS had continued to make substantial
sacrifices in pursuit of peace in Liberia. While the ECOWAS peace initiative
had experienced some financial and administrative problems, it represented a
pioneering effort to bring to fruition Chapter VII of the United Nations
Charter. That praiseworthy effort was deeply appreciated by the Liberian
people and deserved greater support of the United Nations.
He re-emphasized the urgent need for the United Nations to ensure that
there was a mechanism whereby sub-regional and regional peace-keeping
operations undertaken with the approval of the Security Council received the
requisite support. The ECOMOG must be fully supported. In keeping with
recent decisions, ECOMOG had to be increased to 18,000 troops and an estimated
$132 million was required to assist ECOMOG to fully implement its mandate.
The lack of support from the international community following the signing of
the Abuja Agreement in August 1995 prevented ECOMOG from deploying throughout
the country in keeping with the timetable formulated by the parties. The
tragic developments which ensued in Liberia as a result of that deficiency
were well known to the international community. It was the hope of the
Liberian people that those negative development would not be allowed to
reoccur because of lack of support to ECOWAS.
There were urgent needs which must be quickly satisfied to advance the
peace process in Liberia. Foremost was assistance to ECOMOG to facilitate its
deployment throughout the country leading to the encampment, disarmament and
demobilization of combatants and their reintegration into civil society.
Concomitantly, Liberian refugees would have to be repatriated and resettled
and pilot programmes undertaken to rehabilitate combatants. The army and
paramilitary organizations would be reorganized and preparations for elections
undertaken by a reconstituted and independent Elections Commission. It was
imperative that the proposed elections be preceded by complete disarmament of
combatants. He stressed the need for the electoral process to be
internationally supervised and declared to be free and fair. Due to the
adverse effects which the civil war had had on all Liberians, the people would
not accept any leadership which attained political power by fraudulent means.
He appealed to all Member States to generously contribute to the Trust
Fund for Liberia. He also appealed to governmental and non-governmental
organizations to fully resume their activities in Liberia which he said were
vital to addressing the humanitarian needs of the people and the revival of
development activities in the country. His delegation endorsed the draft
Security Council - 11 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
resolution on Liberia and joined in the appeal to member States to comply
fully with the arms embargo on Liberia.
ISAAC E. AYEWAH (Nigeria) said that on 15 September 1995, the Security
Council held a similar meeting welcoming the Abuja Agreement of 15 August 1995
on Liberia. There had been optimism that the six-year war was going to end.
But the Council was meeting again today not to welcome a new government in
Liberia according to the implementation plan, but to support the extension of
the implementation schedule of the Abuja Accord by almost another year. The
major responsibility for the delays lay with those who had signed an agreement
to end the war in their country.
Fortunately, the representative went on, after intensive consultations
with all parties concerned, the Committee of Nine of the ECOWAS, at its 17
August summit in Abuja, had come up with a new implementation schedule for the
Abuja Agreement. But only the commitment to peace of the Liberian parties and
faction leaders would ensure that the current schedule would hold. Based on
experience, the new plan might usher peace since it provides for periodic
reviews of progress in implementing the Agreement, a code of conduct for
members of the Council of State and transition government, as well as a
decision to impose sanctions against any party that did not comply with the
plan.
But, he continued, the international community must help ensure strict
adherence to the implementation plan and schedule. The ECOMOG must be well-
equipped and its efforts to enhance its capability complemented with financial
and logistical assistance. Timeliness was crucial since any long lull between
a cease-fire and the demobilization of combatants could jeopardize the gains
being made. The presence of the UNOMIL should be beefed up significantly and
quickly. The Secretary-General should consider further increases in line with
his own assessment of the situation.
Speaking on the draft resolution, the representative said he agreed with
its general thrust, showing the international community's continued commitment
to peace in Liberia. But expressions were not enough and, in that context, he
noted the request to the Secretary-General in operative paragraph 5 to make
concrete proposals to assist the peace process. Those proposals should
consider ECOMOG's requirements.
FRANCESCO PAOLO FULCI (Italy) expressed hope that the faction leaders
would show the political will to fully respect and implement the terms of the
Abuja Agreement. Should they fail to do so, the international community would
have to pull out. The Somalia precedent should make the faction leaders aware
of what was expected of them. The theft of 900 vehicle belonging to ECOMOG
and the United Nations agencies was not a positive sign. Stolen property must
be returned. The international community would also hold the leaders
Security Council - 12 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
personally responsible for breaches of human rights and humanitarian law in
their country.
The warlords' practice of training and drugging children aged 7 to 14 to
kill their relatives and terrorize their neighbourhoods was an unconscionable
crime, he said. That heinous behaviour must be stopped immediately by every
means available to the international community, including the creation of a
special body, within the framework of the proposed international criminal
court, to try the perpetrators of such acts.
MAGED ABDEL AZIZ (Egypt) said that the efforts of members of ECOWAS to
restore peace in Liberia deserved support and encouragement from the
international community. The ECOMOG should be provided with further support
by the international community in the form of technical and financial
assistance.
The elections to be held in Liberia next May should be kept to schedule,
he said. The factional leaders should set up an independent national
committee similar to one created in Sierra Leone to ensure a smooth transition
to democracy. Even after the elections, there would be other tasks that the
country would have to undertake, including demobilization and reconstructing.
The international community should stand by Liberia during that period to help
it consolidate peace.
MOTHUSI NKGOWE (Botswana) said the recent summit meeting of the ECOWAS
was an important milestone in the search for peace in Liberia. Its outcome
reflected the resolve among the States of the subregion to help Liberians find
a permanent political solution to the crisis which had bedeviled their country
for far too long. Botswana commended ECOWAS member States for the monumental
work they had done to give Liberia yet another chance to settle its political
problems even after several of such chances had in the past been squandered by
the faction leaders. Botswana particularly welcomed the decision of the heads
of State of ECOWAS to impose measures on those leaders who obstructed the
peace process. The active participation of organizations of civil society at
the Abuja Summit was an important development in articulating the voices of
the disenfranchised people of Liberia. It was time the faction leaders paid
close attention to their hopes.
He said the revised schedule for the implementation of the Abuja Peace
Agreement demonstrated the determination of ECOWAS to the peace process in
Liberia. Significant adjustments had been made to the mandate of the ECOMOG
to enable the subregional peace-keeping force to meet any challenges and
obstacles it might encounter in the implementation of the revised schedule.
Several States of the subregion had also stated their readiness to contribute
additional troops to strengthen the operational capacity of ECOMOG. The
ECOWAS had thus responded to the suggestions made by some members of the
Security Council - 13 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
international community; it was only fair that the international community
responded appropriately to the needs of ECOMOG.
He also said the humanitarian situation in Liberia required the
continued attention of the international community. The Council should demand
that the faction leaders strictly respect the status of personnel of the
humanitarian organizations. "The wanton looting of the equipment belonging to
the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations had dealt a
severe blow to the work of the humanitarian community." That was an
intolerable pattern of behaviour which the Security Council could not condone.
Botswana fully supported the extension of UNOMIL's mandate for a further
three months, he said. The States of the subregion deserved the strong
support of the United Nations. The United Nations had an immeasurable
contribution to make in the implementation of the Abuja Peace Agreement. The
Council should make it very clear to the faction leaders that the
international community would not allow a few people to hold a whole nation
hostage to their desire to rule at all cost. The faction leaders must not be
allowed to frustrate the efforts of the international community to resolve the
political crisis in Liberia. They must not be allowed to realize their
objective to force the United Nations out of Liberia. It must be made clear
to them that they would be held personally accountable for violations of
international humanitarian law and human rights.
QIN HUASUN (China) said that his country had consistently supported
regional organizations' efforts to resolve problems in their respective
regions. The international community should support ECOMOG to successfully
fulfil its mission. The ECOMOG and UNOMIL should cooperate closely to help
implement the new timetable.
The representative said that the final settlement of the conflict
depended on the Liberian people and leaders giving up the use of force and
seeking a political solution acceptable to all parties through patient and
sincere negotiations and dialogue. The parties should seize the present
opportunity of the extension of UNOMIL's mandate to complete their disarmament
and prepare for general elections to achieve national reconciliation and
restore peace through fair elections. China would work with the international
community to help Liberia achieve peace.
NUGROHO WISNUMURTI (Indonesia) said his country was hopeful that the
outcome of the ECOWAS summit in Abuja would lead to a durable peace in Liberia
with the new timetable serving as a formal framework for the peace process.
He commended the strong regional leadership role of ECOWAS and its
determination to ensure that the parties respected the agreement they
themselves had entered into. It was also encouraged by the growing influence
Security Council - 14 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
of Liberian civilian groups in the peace process, reflecting the aspirations
of the Liberian people to end the ongoing tragedy.
He said Indonesia was concerned about the lack of security, the
persistent violations of basic human rights, and the continuing inflow of
arms. The disarming and demobilization of Liberia's militia members was
essential in establishing a durable cease-fire and permitting international
peace-keepers to operate to their full potential. The Council must urge all
States to comply strictly with the embargo on all deliveries of weapons and
military equipment to Liberia in accordance with resolution 788 (1992).
Touching on the humanitarian situation, he said his delegation was
concerned that relief workers were still seriously being impeded from
delivering assistance to certain regions and that their safety was still
threatened. He said no comprehensive humanitarian assistance could be
constructed to meet the needs of Liberia. More than half of Liberia's
population continued to dwell in neighbouring countries as refugees.
Conditions had to be created to promote their return and the reconstruction of
their country. Another aspect of the conflict which had to be kept in mind
was how to reintegrate a generation of young Liberians who had known nothing
but war for the past six years.
Indonesia believed that ECOMOG and UNOMIL could play a considerable role
in contributing to the implementation of the Abuja Agreement and enhance its
chances of moving forward. It also believed that the United Nations had a
role to play, and supported the recommendation of the Secretary-General to
increase the number of military observers and civilian personnel to assist
UNOMIL in carrying out its mandate.
STEPHEN GOMERSALL (United Kingdom) said his delegation would vote in
favour of the text. The recent reports of the Secretary-General and his
Special Envoy confirmed that the agreement reached by the ECOWAS Committee of
Nine at Abuja on 17 August was a significant development which might at last
offer real hope for the suffering people of Liberia. But it remained the
case, as the resolution made clear, that the key lay in the response or
otherwise of the faction leaders who had publicly committed themselves to the
agreement. They must now disengage, disarm and demonstrate their willingness
to reach a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
For far too long, he said, the Council had been given clear
demonstrations of the disdain of the faction leaders for the help of the
international community and for the interests of the people of their own
country. Agreement after agreement had been torn up; cease-fires violated;
innocent civilians killed; children forced into combat; the country's
infrastructure laid to waste -- and all to satisfy the egos and thirst for
power of a group of ruthless warlords. Time and again, the Council had heard
Security Council - 15 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
renewed commitments to peace from such people. "It would be easy to take a
cynical approach and call it a day." But it was greatly to the credit of the
leaders of ECOWAS that they had not given up. Indeed they had become more
determined to bring peace to that part of their region. The Council owed it
to them to give them its support. The United Kingdom commended and endorsed
the agreement reached in Abuja last month.
He said the faction leaders must take heed of the resolution. They must
be under no illusion. "This is the last chance for Liberia to resolve its
problems with United Nations assistance." It was vital that the factions
cease their intimidation and attacks against United Nations, ECOMOG and other
international personnel, end looting and return all stolen property. Without
that small sign of goodwill, the international community could not be expected
to contribute to the rehabilitation of the country and to provide humanitarian
relief.
The United Kingdom welcomed the readiness of ECOWAS to provide
additional peace-keepers to the ECOMOG forces. The ECOMOG in its reinforced
composition was doing a difficult job well. The United Kingdom was
considering a further contribution to the Liberia Trust Fund. It also
intended to help with police training once stability had been established, and
urged other States to provide additional logistical support.
He said the revised timetable for the implementation of the Abuja
Agreement gave the faction leaders clear signposts towards a peaceful
settlement of the conflict leading to elections next year. Early disarmament
was a vital part of the plan. The faction leaders themselves had accepted
the timetable. The three-month extension of UNOMIL's mandate would test their
will.
PARK SOO GIL (Republic of Korea) said that the international community
should watch the faction leaders to see if they abided by their commitments
faithfully. The final outcome of the peace process would depend on whether
free and fair elections were held on 30 May 1997. Great importance should be
attached to the full independence of the electoral commission and to a
substantial enough disarmament that would allow the free participation of the
Liberian people. In that regard, the growing influence of Liberia's civil
society was encouraging.
If disarmament was to be significant, it should be backed by the strict
enforcement of the arms embargo imposed on Liberia by resolution 788 (1992),
he continued. The United Nations should play a significant part in the
organization and the holding of the elections to help ensure the impartiality
and independence of the electoral commission. The Council should consider the
request for assistance by ECOWAS and the Liberian parties. The Secretariat
should study the best way to enhance the role of the United Nations in
Security Council - 16 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
supporting the efforts of ECOWAS and to create conditions conducive to peace
and national reconciliation.
He expressed support for the extension of the UNOMIL mandate and the
deployment of more military observers within the Mission's currently
authorized strength as developments warranted.
GERARDO MARTINEZ BLANCO (Honduras) expressed regret at the absence of
the political will among the Liberian leaders to live by their Abuja
commitments and to maintain cease-fires. He welcomed the provisions in the
new implementation schedule, such as the creation of a code of conduct, that
would help ensure compliance with the Abuja Agreement and implementation plan.
The Liberian parties should live up to their new commitments in order to
ensure that the elections would be held freely and fairly on schedule. They
should show the will to resolve their differences peacefully. He welcomed the
improvement of the security situation in some parts of the country and the
fact that the cease-fire was holding in Monrovia. It was deplorable that the
status of the personnel of missions and agencies were not respected. He
agreed with the proposal to increase the size of UNOMIL as well as the efforts
of ECOMOG to strengthen its force, even though the latter lacked resources it
needed.
YURIY V. FEDOTOV (Russian Federation) said his delegation was satisfied
with the current positive developments in Liberia. It recognized the
complexities of the tasks ahead given the past actions of the factions. The
ECOWAS had shown consistency in implementing its decisions. The ECOMOG, its
monitoring group, should be supported to carry out its tasks, he said.
He also noted that ultimately the responsibility for restoration of
peace in Liberia rested with the factions. If they did not meet that task,
the international community would have no choice but to end its involvement in
the country. The Russian Federation would support the proposed draft which
stipulated the obligations of the factions and gave impetus to the peace
process.
ALFREDO LOPES CABRAL (Guinea-Bissau) said the international community
should provide assistance to ECOMOG to allow it to meet its responsibilities,
particularly in helping to establish peace and security as stipulated in the
Abuja Agreement. He thanked the United States and other countries for their
financial assistance to ECOMOG, and urged other States to follow suit. It was
clear that the international community should continue to support the country
if the Liberian factions agreed to resolve their differences peacefully.
He stressed the importance for the Liberian factions to strictly abide
by their commitments under the Abuja Agreement. He also said looting of
property of international organizations should stop immediately and stolen
Security Council - 17 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
equipment should be returned. The faction leaders must protect children,
which they had been using as cannon fodder -- a disgusting practice, he added.
Guinea-Bissau supported the Secretary-General's recommendations to extend
UNOMIL's mandate.
ZBIGNIEW MATUSZEWSKI (Poland) said he would vote for the draft
resolution extending the mandate of UNOMIL to express confidence in and
support for the ECOWAS leaders' decisions in Abuja. The Liberian warlords
should not follow the well-known pattern of breaking their word. They should
let their country resolve its problems politically, not violently.
The representative said that Liberians had to take the main task of
rebuilding their country, ensuring peace and stability as well as respecting
human rights. Liberia needed international help and, in that regard, its
people and leaders should create and maintain an assistance-friendly
environment. They should respect the status of the personnel of ECOMOG,
UNOMIL and international organizations in order to ensure the delivery of
humanitarian goods. The Liberian leaders should live up to their agreement in
Abuja and abide by the implementation timetable. He expressed gratitude to
the representative of Italy for suggesting the draft text's paragraph
condemning the practice of using children to fight, kill and murder.
LEONEL SEARLE (Chile) said he attached great importance to the
establishment of a monitoring mechanism that would ensure the parties'
compliance with the Abuja Agreement and the inclusion of measures that could
be taken against those who obstructed the implementation of the schedule
towards elections. Efforts should be made to ensure the continued growth in
the influence of civil society in Liberia in order to help the peace process.
It was time to warn the factions that the international community's patience
was not unlimited. The looting of property, the threats to civilians and
international agencies, as well as the use of children in combat would not be
tolerated. The implementation schedule agreed to in Abuja should be followed
in order to allow the people of Liberia to continue their progress towards
peace, reconciliation and development.
Action on Draft Resolution
The Security Council unanimously adopted the draft text as resolution
1071 (1996)
Speaking after the vote, KARL F. INDERFURTH (United States) said during
the past seven years, the factions in Liberia had conducted a bloody,
destructive civil war that had cost the lives of many thousands of innocent
Liberians and robbed the country of its wealth and resources. Only a few
months ago, Monrovia was in flames. Political and ethnic factions were
engaged in street-to-street fighting. Looting of humanitarian and peace-
keeping resources was widespread. One especially abhorrent practice of the
tragic conflict -- singled out for special condemnation in the Council's
resolution -- had been the recruitment, training and actual deployment of
children in combat. Who could forget the photographs of child soldiers
brandishing assault weapons -- and using them? he asked. The Council was
determined that the practice should not continue.
He said the regional leaders, meeting in Abuja in mid-August, had shared
Security Council - 18 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
the frustration of the rest of the international community and had taken a
bold step. They had agreed to reinvigorate their 1995 agreement, including a
new timetable for implementation and the threat of sanctions for persons or
groups which obstructed progress.
The Liberian faction leaders appeared to have accepted the new
timetable. Their initial statements and actions offered hope that progress
towards peace and stability was possible in the coming months. The ECOMOG had
successfully re-established and maintained Monrovia as a safe haven. The
ULIMO-J, one of the factions, had delivered stolen heavy weapons. A new
ECOMOG commander had taken steps that would make the peace-keeping force more
effective. Ruth Sando Perry had been named new Chairperson of the Council of
State. The United States wished her well in her daunting task of national
mediation and unification.
Yet, he continued, the recent history of Liberia was littered with
broken promises and lost opportunities for peace. It was important that the
faction leaders realized the world was more concerned with their deeds than
with their words. The United States would be monitoring closely their actions
under the 17 August agreement. It was only on the basis of honest
implementation of the new timetable that the United States was able to support
the Secretary-General's call for increased deployments of UNOMIL. Those
deployments were justified, wise and ultimately secure only if the peace
process remained on track. The United States would follow events closely and
calibrate its actions to coincide with progress towards implementation of the
Abuja Agreement.
He said the Liberian factions bore a clear, unavoidable responsibility
to respect the status of UNOMIL personnel and property, as well as those of
ECOMOG and other international and humanitarian organizations and agencies.
The United States expected the faction leaders to take steps to return
immediately all looted property. More broadly, the ECOWAS States and the
wider international community must insist on compliance and do everything
necessary to ensure implementation by the parties. He stressed the importance
of close contacts and enhanced cooperation between UNOMIL and ECOMOG.
HERVE LADSOUS (France) said his country condemned the looting of United
Nations equipment and those of other international organizations and called
Security Council - 19 - Press Release SC/6262
3694th Meeting (PM) 30 August 1996
for their return. He paid tribute to the peace efforts of leaders of the sub-
region. The sanctions proposed by them against any faction leader for non-
compliance with the Abuja Agreement was an important safeguard for the peace
process. Another failure would be tragic.
He also said France had consistently supported the peace process and
would continue to do so. It approved the Secretary-General's recommendations
for the extension of UNOMIL's mandate for three months.
The Council President, TONO EITEL (Germany), speaking as the
representative of his country, said the civil war in Liberia had been a matter
of deep concern for all since 1990. Thirteen peace agreements had been
concluded by the warring factions and broken later on. The responsibility for
disrupting the peace process solely lay with the leaders of the various
factions who had shown no regard for the rights and lives of their people.
Following the ECOWAS summit of 17 August in Abuja there was new hope that the
peace process could be resumed successfully in Liberia. The ECOWAS States had
decided to give the factions one last chance. The committee of the nine heads
of State and Government had agreed on a strict timetable for the
implementation of the Abuja Agreement, commencing with the restoration of the
cease-fire by 31 August and concluding with the holding of free and fair
elections on 30 May 1997.
Built into the timetable was a monitoring mechanism to ensure the
compliance with the Abuja Agreement. The committee of nine had also agreed
that any person or group obstructing the implementation of the agreement would
be subject to the imposition of sanctions. The ECOWAS had underlined its
commitment to remain engaged in Liberia until the new government was
installed.
He said the extension of the UNOMIL mandate and the deployment of an
additional 24 military observers was a first appropriate response of the
United Nations to the new developments in Liberia. Germany agreed that ECOMOG
had to be provided with adequate financial and logistic resources to carry out
its tasks. It also believed that future assistance would have to be more
closely coordinated than in the past.
He said the missions of ECOMOG and UNOMIL could only be continued in a
meaningful way if conditions in Liberia allowed them to fulfil their mandates.
He therefore strongly urged the warring parties to seize the opportunity which
might be their very last. International humanitarian assistance was also
necessary to sustain the peace process. After the recent fighting in April
and May, Germany had provided humanitarian aid and medicine, worth about
600,000 DM.
* *** *
