Latest UN report on compliance

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has recommended, in a 22 October report to the Security Council, that the international community and the Security Council remain engaged with Liberia. Annan reported the government of President Charles Taylor as saying it had complied with all demands made by the council. In 2001, the council demanded that the government, among other things, expel all members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) [the rebel group has since been transformed into a political party]; cease all financial aid and military support to the RUF; cease all direct and indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone, and freeze funds or financial resources to the group. According to the report, which quoted government and independent sources, "all known ex-RUF members have been expelled fro Liberia", "the question of financial military support was no longer relevant because RUF had been disarmed and was no longer in existence as a fighting force" and "independent sources indicated that there was no proof of direct importation of rough diamonds to Liberia from Sierra Leone". However, the report noted that "some sources ... alleged that some RUFF members may have been integrated into the security service of Liberia". On the issue of rough diamonds, there was consensus among the sources that the government received taxes from diamond concession but had no control over the diamond trade, and that there was now "a reverse flow of indirect trade in diamonds from Liberia to neighbouring countries". An ECOWAS delegation on mission to Liberia from late September to early October recommended the pursuit of negotiations between Liberia, Guinea and Liberia to find solutions to the conflicts affecting Liberia and its neighbours; that the Liberian government create conditions conducive to political dialogue and assure the protection of civilians; and that the international community continue to assist Liberians. Reports that the Liberian government has allocated half of its 2002/2003 budget to defence and security requirements could hinder all national and international efforts as well as exacerbate the protracted conflict in Liberia, where rebels and pro-government troops have been fighting since 1998.