Liberia.

Emphasizing that the holding of free and fair elections as scheduled for 30 May was "an essential phase of the peace process in Liberia", the Security Council on 27 March urged the international community to provide financial, logistical and other assistance to the electoral process, including through the Trust Fund for Liberia, and to provide additional support for the Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enable it to sustain a secure environment for the elections. In resolution 1100 (1997), adopted unanimously, the Council also extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) until 30 June, and welcomed a series of recommendations by Secretary-General Kofi Annan concerning the role of the Mission in the electoral process.

Those recommendations, contained in his 19 March report, include: strengthening of UNOMIL's electoral unit, including the recruitment of 200 additional personnel to observe the polling and counting of votes; provisions for a quick vote count; additional resources by the international community to enhance refugee repatriation efforts; and a clear understanding with ECOMOG regarding its responsibilities for the protection of international personnel during the electoral process.

In his report, the Secretary-General noted that Liberian refugees would not be allowed to vote in their countries of asylum. In view of that decision, an electoral assessment mission, dispatched to Liberia on 26 February, had "concluded that refugee participation could best be enhanced through a proactive approach to repatriation, coupled with additional efforts to facilitate registration and voting by returnees".

Mr. Annan said that progress on UNOMIL since his 29 January report had been "generally encouraging". In particular, the outcome of the disarmament and demobilization exercise, while not a complete success, "can be considered to be substantial compliance with the Abuja Agreement".

Consensus had emerged on a number of important issues discussed at the second Ministerial Meeting of the ad hoc Special Conference to Support the Peace Process in Liberia (New York, 20 February), including on the need to adhere to the 30 May 1997 date for elections in the country, the Secretary-General said in a 27 February letter addressed to the President of the Security Council. Differences, however, had emerged as to whether refugees should be required to return to Liberia in order to participate in the elections.

During discussions, there had been "strong support" for the role played by ECOWAS, and "a clear understanding of the importance of reinforcing" ECOMOG. The Meeting had also noted the need to coordinate efforts so as to maximize their effectiveness, and a number of donor countries and the European Commission had given "firm pledges of financial and other support".

In a press briefing after the Meeting, its Chairman, then Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Marrack Goulding, said a high degree of consensus had demonstrated that there was the necessary political will both inside and outside Liberia for the peace process to succeed. Donors had made it clear that they were ready to provide the resources needed, and the Meeting had sent a very clear message to the parties that, if they made progress, the international community would respond generously.

The Meeting had been convened to build on the momentum generated by the positive outcome of the disarmament process in Liberia, while identifying and addressing the immediate needs of the peace process and critical requirements seen for the medium term. Organized at the request of the United States on behalf of the International Contact Group on Liberia, Nigeria on behalf of ECOWAS, and the Netherlands, it brought together members of the International Contact Group and ECOWAS, the European Union, the Bretton Woods institutions and relevant United Nations departments, programmes and agencies.

In an address to the Meeting, Mr. Annan had called for additional resources for ECOMOG, UNOMIL, humanitarian assistance, the electoral process, as well as for rehabilitation and reconstruction. He had also cautioned that "never have our efforts been closer to success in Liberia. For the sake of those who continue to suffer from this brutal conflict, we must not allow this chance to slip through our grasp."

Election framework

On 10 February, the Secretary-General transmitted to the Security Council a copy of the United Nations Recommendations on a Framework for the Holding of Elections in Liberia. The Recommendations were prepared in response to a formal request in October 1996 by the Council of State of the Liberian National Transitional Government.

In a 29 January progress report, Secretary-General Annan had noted that the Liberian peace process had witnessed some positive developments over the previous two and a half months. The disarmament and demobilization process had begun on schedule on 22 November 1996, and more than 12,500 fighters, including approximately 3,000 child fighters, had been disarmed and demobilized. With preparations for the elections continuing, he welcomed the support expressed for this process by interested donor countries, the Chairman of ECOWAS and the Head of State of Nigeria. He warned, however, that despite these positive developments, the security situation remained volatile, with outbreaks of sporadic interfactional fighting.

Liberians learn job skills; $61 million pledged to build peace

Thousands of Liberians returning home from neighbouring countries after years of civil war, along with former soldiers, uprooted families within the country and others affected by nearly a decade of strife, will receive training to help them become productive members of society. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization are working together to set up free two-month-long courses designed to teach people basic farming skills and trades such as brick-making, housing construction and shoemaking. The goal is to help Liberians, particularly young adults, become self-sufficient and raise their living standards as the country rebuilds. In April, UNDP will launch reconstruction and other projects costing a total of $61 million to help the country solidify its new peace and move forward after national elections on 30 May. So far, about two thirds of the country's 30,000 soldiers have been demobilized, Resident Representative Adama Guindo said in March. He spoke at a New York conference attended by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UNDP Administrator James Gustave Speth and ministerial-level officials from Africa and Europe.

Other United Nations agencies are also working on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war-torn country.