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20 July 2003

Boucher Says U.S. Concerned About Violence in Liberia

July 18 press statement

The United States is deeply concerned about the latest escalation of violence in Liberia, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said July 18.

"The only way forward for Liberia is through the peace process now underway in Accra," Boucher said in a July 18 press statement. "Those responsible for re-instigating violence clearly have no concern for the best interests of the Liberian people whom they claim to represent since these actions threaten further the safety and security of the Liberian people."

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 18, 2003

Liberia: Renewed Violence

The United States is deeply concerned about the latest escalation of violence in Liberia. All parties to the Liberian conflict must understand that the international community will not accept any attempt to preempt the negotiations through the resumption of fighting, and those responsible will be held accountable.

The Economic Community of West African States has been holding peace talks in Ghana since early June that include government, civil society, opposition and rebel groups. Our representatives at the talks are actively involved in negotiating a settlement that will bring an end to decades of violence in Liberia. The moderator has just distributed a comprehensive draft agreement that the parties can quickly adopt.

The only way forward for Liberia is through the peace process now underway in Accra. Those responsible for re-instigating violence clearly have no concern for the best interests of the Liberian people whom they claim to represent since these actions threaten further the safety and security of the Liberian people.

We call on all Liberian parties and forces to reenergize their efforts in achieving a peaceful, negotiated settlement through the Accra negotiations, so that there can be a peaceful transition of authority and the way can be cleared for a more prosperous future for the people of Liberia. We also call on the leaders of neighboring states to use their influence to prevent the outbreak of further violence, to control their borders to prevent the flow of weapons and combatants into Liberia, and to insist that all Liberian factions seek a peaceful agreement as a basis for building a new Liberia.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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