UN Security Council Renews Sanctions on Liberia

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 07, 2003

UN Security Council Renews Sanctions on Liberia

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday renewed for another year the sanctions it imposed on Liberia two years ago to help stabilize the conflict-ridden West Africa.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday renewed for another year the sanctions it imposed on Liberia two years ago to help stabilize the conflict-ridden West Africa.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-nation council alsodecided to impose a 10-month ban on Liberia's timber exports, the country's main source of exports revenues.

The ban will come into force on July 7 after a two-month grace period. All UN member states are required not to import all round logs and timber products originating in Liberia.

The adoption of the resolution was a forgone conclusion as the council had already reached broad agreement during Monday's closed-door consultations on the draft text put forward by British Ambassador to the United Nations Jeremy Greenstock.

In the resolution, the council expressed serious concern at continuing violations of the sanctions by the Liberian government,particularly the arms embargo.

It also determined that the "active" support provided by the Liberian government to armed rebel groups in the region, includingto those in Cote d'Ivoire, constituting a threat to regional peaceand security.

The council called on the Liberian government to participate actively in regional peace initiatives, and demanded all states inthe region cease military support for armed groups in their neighbors.

It urged the Liberian government and the rebel Liberians for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) to enter without delay into bilateral cease-fire negotiations under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States.

It also expressed readiness to allow Liberian officials to travel abroad for the purpose of peaceful resolution of the conflict in the subregion.

The existing sanctions on Liberia, which expire Tuesday, also include a ban on trade in rough diamonds and restrictions on travel abroad by Liberia's top government and military officials.

They were put in place in May 2001 to force Liberia to stop itssupport for Sierra Leone's rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF).Liberia was then accused of helping the RUF smuggle rough diamondsand arms.

With the UN mediation, the RUF had been demobilized and absorbed into the government in the past two years. But many former RUF combatants, with the support of Liberia, are currently involved in the internal conflict in Cote d'Ivoire.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Presidents of Liberia, S. Leone, Guinea Hold Peace Talks in Morocco

Liberian Rebels Kill over 20 Officers in Ambush

Over 100 Feared Dead in Boat Accident in Liberia

SARS -- an Opportunity China Reshuffles Public Health, Disease Prevention System ( 3 Messages)

SARS Virus Genomic Sequencing Raises Vaccine Hopes ( 2 Messages)

70 Chinese Navy Sailors Killed in Submarine Disaster ( 8 Messages)

Iraq War Reshapes Military Landscape: News Analysis ( 9 Messages)

CCTV English Channel Landing in United States ( 2 Messages)