EU says changes needed before 2003 elections

Considerable changes are needed in Liberia to guarantee free and fair elections in 2003, the European Union (EU) said following consultations with the Liberian government on Friday in Brussels. The changes on the political, legal, economic and financial fronts would also help the country meet the conditions for full cooperation between Monrovia and the EU in accordance with a partnership agreement linking the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the European Commission, the EU said in a news release on 9 November. It noted Liberian authorities' willingness to remedy the problems facing the country, but said the government would need to take clear, concrete initiatives without delay. The EU also expressed its readiness to provide financial assistance to support the implementation of commitments "when appropriate". The EU says it has been the biggest donor of aid to Liberia since the civil war that ended in 1996. However, the aid is channelled through and administered directly by the European Commission for the benefit of the poorest sections of the population, according to the release. It said the EU spent 70 million euros mainly in the area of food aid, food security, basic health services and the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure in 1996-2000. A 25-million-euro programme for the resettlement of refugees and displaced people was approved in July 2001, it said. "The European Union will continue to follow closely developments in Liberia," the statement said. "The presidency and the commission will engage in intensive dialogue with the Liberian authorities on the various issues raised." Friday's meeting was the latest between the two sides since the EU decided in July to open consultations with the Liberian authorities on issues relating to human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance. The aim of the encounter was to examined "thoroughly" the situation in Liberia and to consider measures taken - or to be taken - to remedy it.