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Statement by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jacques Paul Klein

10 April

Executive Mansion Press Conference

I would like to thank Chairman Bryant, the National Transitional Government, all the members of the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration - including the United States, ECOWAS, the African Union and the European Union - the staff of UNMIL, UN Agencies, NGOs, implementing partners and the representatives of ex-GOL, LURD and MODEL, for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the DDRR program over the past several months. All our collective efforts have brought us to this day, where we are pleased to be able to announce the resumption of the DDRR program from 15 April 2004.

This decision, made within the framework of the policy committee of the NCDDRR, recognizes the attainment of the minimum pre-conditions agreed in January 2004 for the resumption of the program. These pre-conditions included: adequate sensitization of the combatants, adequate Force deployment, construction of cantonment sites and readiness of service providers, and provision by the factions of the lists of combatants, locations and weapons.

The first three pre-conditions have been met to our satisfaction. A nationwide information campaign was carried out. Adequate preparations have been made to provide security and services during the DDRR process. The UN Agencies and their respective implementing partners are ready to provide services to the combatants during the disarmament and demobilization process.

However, for a number of reasons, the factions have not yet been able to provide comprehensive lists of their combatants, locations and weapons. We continue to urge them to do so, for this information is vital to support implementation of the process.

The international community and the Liberian government and people all support the urgent resumption of the DDRR program. The United Nations Mission in Liberia and our partners agree as follows:

The DDRR program will resume in a phased approach starting with following cantonment sites:

--Gbarnga on 15 April 2004
--Buchanan on 20 April 2004
--VOA and Tubmanburg to follow a few days afterwards to allow for the completion of service provision at those respective sites.
--Those ex-combatants who disarmed at Camp Schieffelin in December, but were not paid, will be processed first at the start of demobilization in VOA. They will be followed by ex-GOL soldiers who have not disarmed, and then by those who disarmed and were paid the US$75 advance.
--Six additional cantonment sites have been identified and will be constructed in Tapeta, Zwedru, River Cess, Ganta and other locations currently under assessment.

I should like to seize this opportunity to emphasize that the cooperation and support of the factions and their political leadership and military commanders is essential to the successful implementation of the DDRR program. In this regard, we wish to outline how the disarmament and demobilization will be conducted:

Combatants should report to designated pick-up points with all their weapons and ammunition. These pick-up points have been jointly agreed by their field commanders and UNMIL forces in their locations.
Combatants will then be brought to disarmament sites and upon completion of disarmament, they will be transported to the respective cantonment sites for demobilization. At the cantonment sites, women and children will be provided separate facilities and specialized care.
During their stay in the demobilization cantonment sites, ex-combatants will receive photo IDs. They will register for demobilization and reintegration. They will also be provided with medical screening and treatment, feeding for the duration of their stay in the cantonment site, as well as pre-discharge orientation programmes.
After a minimum stay of seven days, the combatants will then be discharged from the cantonment site and provided with US$150 to support their return to their communities of choice. In addition, they will be provided with transportation assistance to facilitate their return to their communities. Registered ex-combatants will receive a further US$150 three months after return to their respective communities to assist them in starting a new life. Within this period, the ex-combatants will be expected to register and start participating in specific reintegration programs.
Child ex-combatants will be processed in the same manner; however, they will be moved to Interim Care Centers where they will receive special care and the same benefits after discharge from the Interim Care Centers.

The UN Mission in Liberia appeals to all the factions and their leaders for their co-operation during this period. We urge all combatants to behave in an orderly manner and listen to instructions from their commanders and UNMIL. They will be told when to report to designated pick-up points. All combatants will be processed and provided with the same assistance. No combatant from any faction will be left out of the process. But the process must be carried out in an orderly and structured, smooth manner for the benefit of all.

Lastly, I appeal to the Liberian people to support the DDRR program, which is the essential prerequisite for lasting peace and stability in this country. The United Nations family is here to help, but peace in Liberia is the responsibility of all the people of this nation.

This program will work if the former warring factions want it to. I plead with you to help us make it a success. It is not our program - it is your program. Help us give these young people a future, a future which will also allow the international funding to begin to come to Liberia, which we so desperately need. But let's not waste the moment, or the opportunity. As the Chairman has said, Easter is the new beginning. It is the resurrection. Let this be the new beginning, let this be the resurrection for Liberia and its future. Thank you.

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