Statement on the Situation in Liberia

Mr. President,

We warmly welcome President Johnson Sirleaf to New York and to the United States. We also join others in thanking her for coming here and addressing the Security Council.

For some years now, we, together with the international community, have paid very careful attention to the challenges of restoring peace and stability in Liberia. Given the severity of its troubles, we have monitored events in Liberia with concern and apprehension. We have also done so with hope and anticipation that Liberia would prove to be the model of a nation beset with overwhelming problems that can and will recover. Liberia's problems remain enormous. No question. But we are encouraged with signs that Liberia is on the path of recovery and reform. All of us want to be a part of that success story. If committed to a reformist path, Liberia can feel confident that the international community will be there to help. For our part, the United States pledges our support to assist with Liberia's reconstruction.

The elections which took place in Liberia last fall seem likely to be marked by history as a critical milestone on this road to recovery. We congratulate President Johnson Sirleaf on her victory. In her short time in office, we are impressed with the courage and determination she has already shown in addressing Liberia's challenges, especially in such areas as economic and civil service reform.

On Wednesday, President Sirleaf addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Our Congressmen were greatly impressed. They gave her a standing ovation. I only regret that in our more solemn and restrained practices in the Security Council, that we cannot do the same for her here today. By all accounts, it was her expressed commitment to create a better future for Liberia which so inspired her audience in the U.S. Congress. The United States shares that hope. We encourage the President to do all she can to sustain Liberia's forward momentum of recent months. We are confident that the President's government will engage in sound financial management and full transparency that are essential to spur this momentum.

We also commend President Sirleaf s commitment to reforming the diamond and timber sectors. We look forward to the day that Liberia fulfills the requirements for the lifting of sanctions. As many know, the U.S. is assisting Liberia's efforts to reconstruct its forest sector on a transparent and sustainable basis. We applaud President Sirleaf’s adoption of an Executive Order canceling existing forest concessions and establishing a Forest Reform Monitoring Committee. We hope our optimism is warranted that remaining reforms will be in place so that timber sanctions can be lifted as soon as possible.

Finally, we were encouraged to see reports that President Sirleaf and Nigerian President Obasanjo are discussing the issue of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who faces multiple charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. We support the efforts of President Sirleaf, President Obasanjo, and other African leaders to bring Charles Taylor to justice. Thank you.