27 August 2003
ECOWAS: Re-integration of Liberian Rebels Into Society Deemed Crucial
West African delegation reports on Liberian peace process
By Judy Aita, Washington File United Nations Correspondent
Washington File United Nations Correspondent
United Nations -- A ministerial delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) told the Security Council August 27 that the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers on October 1 is vital to the peace process in Liberia.
The ECOWAS delegation, headed by the foreign minister of Ghana, presented a report to the council one week after the signing of a peace accord in Accra, also saying that the disarmament of the combatants and their reintegration into Liberian society is crucial to the success of the peace process. The minister said that "a golden opportunity" to disarm fighters in 1997 was lost and "the cost is all too plain to see today."
Ghanain Foreign Minister Nana Akufo Addo paid tribute to Secretary General Kofi Annan and President George Bush for their personal commitment to the cause of peace in Liberia.
But the foreign minister added, that because of the president's personal commitment, "we view with considerable anxiety recent measures by the United States, including the withdrawal offshore of the Marines in Liberia, and yesterday's statement that the U.S. will pull out of direct involvement in the resolution of the Liberian crisis on the first of October when the U.N. peacekeeping operation is scheduled to begin."
Prospects for the success of the peace process will depend on the adherence of the combatants to the ceasefire and the support of the international community, said Akufo Addo, who is also the current chairman of ECOWAS.
ECOWAS expects the U.N. peacekeeping force, often referred to as blue helmets, to be deployed by October 1, he said. "It is vital that the Security Council adheres and ensures that this deadline is met if the momentum for peace in Liberia is to be maintained."
As the ECOWAS vanguard force has deployed "peace is gradually returning to Liberia as guns begin to fall silent," Akufo Addo said.
The force which began deploying August 4 now has 1,696 men, and the total strength is expected to reach 3,500 by September 4.
He said that ECOWAS will continue its involvement after U.N. troops arrive and will contribute to the mission.
The Security Council issued a presidential statement welcoming the peace agreement between Liberia's government, rebel groups, political parties, and civil leaders signed in Accra, Ghana, August 18.
The council urged all parties to respect the cease-fire and implement their commitments.
"The Security Council again stresses the need to create a secure environment that enables respect for human rights, including the well-being and rehabilitation of children, especially child combatants, protects the well-being of civilians, and supports the mission of humanitarian workers," the statement said.
Other members of the ECOWAS delegation were Cote d'Ivoire Foreign Minister Bamba Mamodou, Guinea Foreign Minister Francois Fall, Nigerian Foreign Minister Oluyemi Adeniji, Senegal Ambassador to the U.N. Papa Louis Fall, and ECOWAS Executive Secretary Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=August&x=20030827171236atia0.772793&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
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