Secretary-General's press conference in Monrovia

It is a great pleasure to be in Monrovia on my first official visit as Secretary-General of the United Nations. I have come here to see first-hand the achievements of the Government of Liberia in post-conflict recovery. With this visit, I also wanted to place the emphasis on UN peacebuilding efforts and on highlighting progress on the Millennium Development Goals. The recent worldwide protests over soaring global food prices has demonstrated the need for Liberia to meet the MDG's in order to be safe from the weaknesses of globalization while taking advantage from its myriad opportunities for growth and prosperity.

And, not the least, I wanted to come here to assure the people of Liberia of my strong commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of their country and to stress the UN's determination to help them rebuild this important, history-rich nation.

Since my arrival here yesterday evening, I have had several constructive bilateral meetings. Earlier today, I met with His Excellency Vice President Boakai and members of Parliament, the Foreign Minister and other members of the Cabinet. To all, I expressed my deep appreciation of the Government's steadfast commitment to achieve economic recovery through a poverty-reduction strategy that includes UN Peacebuilding projects. I was also encouraged by their resolve to reform the security sector and foster national reconciliation.

Also, today, I had the honour of addressing a joint session of the Legislature. I came away from that event with the assurance that lawmakers are doing their utmost to help improve the lives of the Liberian people through reform of state institutions and the steady practice of good governance.

I also saw for myself that Liberia still faces significant development and reconstruction challenges. However, the Government is working hard, in partnership with the international community, to surmount these challenges. As a result, the international community has been generous and I urge them to continue to support Liberia's recovery. The opportunities that are being presented to Liberia to improve the country should not be squandered. In that regard, it will be important for the Liberian people themselves to show their resolve to pursue peace, end corruption and improve the economy.

As you know, the UN peacekeeping mission here, UNMIL, has begun the first phase of its drawdown process. I wish to assure you that this drawdown will proceed in a cautious and gradual manner. We will not put at risk the gains that have been made so far. A gradual withdrawal should allow the Government sufficient time to assume full responsibility for national security.

Meanwhile, there are urgent issues for UN peacekeepers to attend, including the persisting scourge of rape among the Liberian population and sexual abuse and exploitation by UN personnel. This morning, in my meeting with my UN staff, I reiterated our policy of zero tolerance for these heinous practices. Such conduct goes against everything that we, the United Nations, stand for. It undermines the trust that is essential for our success in this country and elsewhere. We have taken strong actions against UN staff members found guilty of such acts and will continue to do so. Zero tolerance means zero acceptance and zero impunity.

At the same time, it is regrettable that rape continues to be the most commonly committed crime in Liberia. I call on community leaders, government leaders, traditional chiefs, elders and prominent Liberians to take the lead in combating the scourge of rape and other acts of sexual and gender based violence. Violence against women should not be tolerated.

UNMIL, together with the UN funds, programmes and agencies in Liberia, will continue to support the Government, under one UN umbrella, in meeting its humanitarian and development objectives.

Last but not least, I wish to thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the media for your constructive role in the recovery and rebuilding process. I thank you for publicizing the Government's and the United Nations' efforts to better lives of each and all Liberians.

Thank you very much. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Q: Mr. Ban, how would you like to react to an appeal from the Liberian Legislature calling on you to review the travel restrictions or travel ban imposed on some close associates of former Liberian President Charles Taylor including some lawmakers themselves?

SG: The decisions on travel ban are made by the Security Council. There are relevant Security Council committees dealing with this Liberian case. I would suggest that if there are any such requests, the parties concerned or people concerned will have to bring this case to the focal point of the UN Security Council Sanction Committee on Liberia. As I understand, there had been two such cases - two individuals have been delisted upon their appeals and this should be the subject of discussion among members of the relevant committee at the level of the Security Council.

Q: My question is in line with the issue in Zimbabwe. What do you think can be done with the situation in Zimbabwe with respect to the initiative that has been carried on by South African President Thabo Mbeki? Should it be widened to include other African leaders including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and other people? What do you think the UN can do if the election results are not released? Is the UN thinking about bringing to bear sanctions or other punishments?

SG: On several occasions already, including that of yesterday [Monday, 21 April 2008], I have expressed my deep concern about this situation developing in Zimbabwe after the presidential election. It is unacceptable that the result of the presidential elections have not been officially announced even three weeks after the elections. Again, I am very much concerned about the continuing violence in Zimbabwe and the deteriorating humanitarian situation among the population and therefore I would urge again the Zimbabwean authorities and election committee to release the results as soon as possible. At the same time I commend and appreciate the role of the leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African leaders to facilitate this process from developing into further conflict. I met, as you may know, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday afternoon upon his request in Ghana. He explained all the developments –the political, social and humanitarian situation resulting from the presidential election. He also requested, while appreciating the role of SADC, he appealed to me that the United Nations together with the African Union should intervene in this case. I am going to discuss this matter with the relevant leaders including the President of the African Union, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. I am sure that I am expressing my concern, reflecting all the concerns of the international community on this situation. We want to see peace and stability and democratic institutions established there as soon as possible.

Q: You had a meeting with Vice President Joseph Boakai this morning. Can you provide us with an update of what was discussed in that meeting? Secondly, I want you to be very frank with us. Do you feel in any way disappointed over the fact that you are visiting Liberia when President Sirleaf is out of the country?

SG: First of all, as I told you in my brief remarks, I have had extensive discussions on all the matters pertaining to peace and development, security and human rights in Liberia. I am encouraged and I am proud of what the Liberian Government, the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has achieved, particularly during the last four and a half years in the area of peace consolidation, in the area of strengthening the relationship with countries in the Mano River Union (MRU) and in the reform process to enhance good governance. All these are commendable. At the same time, I feel there are still many daunting challenges. This country is experiencing all spectrums of the agendas of the United Nations. The country is trying to improve [on] or achieve [progress on many objectives] - starting from poverty, disease, sanitation, education, gender balance, labour, employment, human rights –those are exactly what the United Nations really try to help member states [with], particularly the African countries that are really trying to recover from these difficulties. I am satisfied with my discussions with the Vice President and Parliamentarians and all the members of the Cabinet. I am very much committed to working together to promote peace, stability and development in Liberia. And the United Nations will stand behind this country.

Regarding President Johnson Sirleaf's absence during my visit, I was aware first of all, of her planned absence because of the unavoidable scheduling problems. When I planned this visit, it was planned at a very short notice on the occasion of my attending the 12th UNCTAD Meeting, which was held in Ghana yesterday. I decided to visit some of the African countries where our peacekeepers are operating; where there are some model examples of peace consolidation through the active coordination with the UN peacekeeping missions. She telephoned me, explaining her very inevitable scheduling problems. And I said, please go ahead with your schedule. I had very good discussions with other members of the cabinet, starting from the Vice President. So, that should not be any source of concern or regret. I am extremely happy. I am satisfied with my visit even though it has been very brief.

Thank you very much and I wish you all the best.