|
|
|
||
|
Charles Gyude Bryant, interim Liberian government chair, made an impassioned plea before the United Nations for the lifting of sanctions on Liberia’s now two evil export commodities—diamonds and timber. He said his regime, with barely a year and half to live, needs the money to create employment for disarmed ex-combatants in a revitalised heavily ruined economy. Reports UN News: Briefing the Council on the situation in his country, Mr. Bryant said there were two critical needs associated with the process of disarming and demobilizing combatants in Liberia -- the need to rehabilitate ex-combatants, many of whom were lacking in economic survival skills, and to reintegrate them into local communities. Accordingly, there was an urgent need to revive the economy and create jobs in support of the reintegration of ex-combatants and internally displaced persons. Likewise, he said, diamond sales were a foreign exchange earner for Liberia. He made the case for the lifting of sanctions, saying the Government had made tremendous progress in satisfying the demands of the Security Council with regard to both the timber and diamond sanctions, and outlined the measures taken in that regard. The sanctions imposed by the Council under resolution 1521 (2003) contributed to the perception that Liberia was very unsafe and dangerous, he said. There was a surcharge on everything imported into the country, thus raising the cost of living for his people. That had adverse implications for an orderly transition from conflict to peace. The forestry sector held one of the greatest short-term promises for job creation and the fostering of economic recovery. But others have far different perceptions for the
lifting of sanctions, as UN Special Representative Jacques Klein,
politely noted before the UN Security Council. The UN News:
As part of its mandate, he said UNMIL had continued to monitor progress made by the Transitional Government to put in place mechanisms to ensure proper management of the diamond and timber industries. He urged the international community to provide all the necessary support to enable the Transitional Government to meet the requirements of resolution 1521, noting that its capacity to deliver services and extend its authority throughout the country remained very limited. The Mission, he also noted, had made substantial progress in achieving its most pressing priorities -- stabilizing the country through the progressive deployment of troops and disarming of armed groups, while simultaneously commencing the restructuring of law and order institutions. With disarmament and demobilization progressing smoothly, UNMIL's main focus now was on preparations for the reintegration of the disarmed combatants. Noting the fragile state of the progress achieved thus far, he said ensuring a complete weapons handover remained a priority for UNMIL. On the other hand, the US delegation is in line with Mr. Klein and is suggesting more accountability in government before moving ahead. The UN News: The United States representative noted the initial steps taken by the Government to institute control over government revenue. The time had come for the Government to establish transparent accounting and auditing mechanisms to ensure that all government revenues were not used to fuel conflict, but employed to improve the lives of all Liberians. Modifying or lifting sanctions should be closely linked to the achievement of those clearly defined conditions set forth in resolution 1521. What should be known are the percentages that diamonds and timber occupied in Liberia’s overall economy before and during the war. With mechanised logging, how many employees a logging company needs that would make a difference big enough to take the risks, at this time, in lifting the sanctions? Past records show Liberia’s diamonds deposits are dismal. Does Mr. Bryant have new figures to go back on this now clearly evil commodity? The timber industry has been the personal fiefdoms of politicians and their cronies, including corrupting Lebanese merchants. In areas they have operated, they bequeathed misery, not comfort. Their legacy is environmental degredation, not creating the foundations for a better of future. To lift the sanctions on timber now is to spark a gold rush over the diminishing rainforest, particuparly as reports flare that rebels, via Cote d'Ívoire, are already engaged in illegal logging. But if the above views from key actors in Liberia--the UN and the US-- are the barometer of Mr. Bryant’s success in lifting the sanctions to inherit Charles Taylor’s empire, then he must try harder. Mr. Klein, in his usual bluntness diluted before the Security Council, is simply saying sanctions should not be lifted until there is a democratic, accountable, and credible government. Is the Bryant regime accountable? Hardly, when one considers the many stories circulating around Monrovia, and his failure to fulfil his promise of probing his landlord the former Governor of the National Bank, Elias Seleebie, along with how he has handled the case of his sister's house renovation. Is the transitional regime democratic? Of course the answer is no.It fell from the ballots or rebels who must face war crimes as their counterparts in Sierra Leone are now facing. Is it credible? Certainly not, when one considers the characters of many of the men and women within it and their past and present records, along with the regime’s priorities. Thus on all counts, it cannot meet the UN Special Representative's yardstick. The Americans, on the hand, are basically saying the same. They want transparency, which is currently lacking as is noted in the huge amounts spent on cars via Lebanese sharks and others. Sanctions were placed on Liberia because of its destructive role in the region. The spectre that it could resume that role is not yet gone, despite UN success so far. For example, George Dweh, the rebel speaker of the transitional assembly, told his friends in Cote d’Ivoire that the international community has already failed in Liberia. His prayer is that it fails, so that he and others can resume business as usual. It will not happen. He said there are weapons hidden across the border into Cote d’Ivoire, the rebel MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia) birthplace. These are heavily loaded statement with severe implications, and to lift sanctions now is to add fuel onto a latent fire. Moreover, according to Global Witness recent report, the transitional regime has maintained Charles Taylor’s control over key economic institutions and politics. His lieutenants are in high places reporting to him, having meetings with, Global Witness said. Mr. Bryant and his men contend that it is not within their mandate to ensure that Charles Taylor stands trial. But it is not within their mandate to lobby for the lifting of sanctions. The argument of reviving the economy is comical and more. With less than 16 months to go, and based on its performance, composition and agenda being revealed, it is far too less competent to revive a household, let alone the economy of a country that has been criminalised for over a decade. In the end, the Security should listen to Mr. Klein. The lifting of sanctions must be done under a democratic, accountable and credible government. It should consider the Americans' position, which the need for transparency. The shinny stones and the trees will not vanish within 16 months. They belong to the people, through their democratically elected government accountable to them, not crooked business partners and rebel allies. --Tom Kamara _________________________
|
|||
