DATE=2/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNHCR / LIBERIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259265
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R,
says Liberia's recently announced decision to reopen
its border with Guinea should speed the return of tens
of thousands of refugees. Lisa Schlein in Geneva
reports.
TEXT: Liberia closed its border with Guinea six
months ago, after fighting broke out in Lofa County
between government and rebel forces. Jacques Franquin
of the United Nations refugee agency says Liberia
accused Guinea of harboring members of the rebel
factions. He says Liberia's decision to close the
border effectively ended the refugee agency's
repatriation operation. He says only 67-hundred
Liberians managed to go home before the program
stalled.
/// FRANQUIN ACT ///
30-thousand refugees had applied for
repatriation. Also, even during the time of the
closure of the border, many people came to us
saying (i.e. asking) what are the weather
conditions in Liberia and the situation at the
border? They wanted to repatriate because they
knew that the situation was safe in their area
of return. So, it means that we are quite sure
that now the situation will improve quite
quickly and people will be able to return. And,
a lot will apply to return.
/// END ACT ///
Guinea is hosting 130-thousand Liberian refugees.
Nearly one-half million people fled the country's
civil war between 1989 and 1996. The U-N refugee
agency estimates around 340-thousand of the refugees
have since returned to Liberia.
Mr. Franquin says the agency hopes to begin its
repatriation operation within the next month. He says
the agency is not rushing into anything. He says the
U-N-H-C-R has to be sure that the situation in Liberia
is stable so that the refugees can return in safety.
/// 2ND FRANQUIN ACT ///
Repatriation is made on a voluntary basis. If
the refugees see that those 30-thousand can
return safely, in security and in dignity, and
so forth, we are sure that more will apply.
Very few things can change completely the
situation, so we are careful. Let's start with
the 30-thousand and after we will see.
/// END ACT ///
The U-N refugee agency plans to increase its staff in
Liberia to make sure the repatriation operation goes
smoothly and to have people on hand to monitor the
safe return of the refugees.
(Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/ENE/KL
17-Feb-2000 10:53 AM EDT (17-Feb-2000 1553 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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