Donor assessment mission expresses satisfaction over security

The multi-donor team which ended a four-day mission on Friday said that security was no longer an impediment to the country’s economic development, independent Star Radio reported on Saturday. However, the team urged the government to continue efforts to eliminate in security abuses and harassment of the public. The team also emphasised the need for training and the reduction of the security forces in the country, Star said. It called for an improved, independent and functional judiciary and recommended that priority be given to poverty alleviation and economic growth, the radio added. Sources in Liberia said that the findings of the mission will inform donors how best to deliver on pledges made at a Paris conference in April 1998. At that meeting 11 countries agreed to provide Liberia with at least US $200 million in the first phase of a two-year national reconstruction programme.