Liberian women group Disturbed Over war Threats
The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
Posted November 4, 2003
The Liberian Women Initiative(LWI) says it is disturbed by the frequent vacillating
from peace talks to war-mongering emanating from LURD's Chairman Sekou Damate
Conneh.
In a press release issued yesterday, the LWI said Mr. Conneh's constant threatening
remarks brings into sharp question his sincerity to the comprehensive Accra
Peace Agreement of which he is an integral part and a signatory.
"We are of the opinion that one of the most pressing preoccupations of
all Liberians at this time should be an unhindered working relationship with
the United Nations peacekeepers to ensure an effective and successful DDR
(Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration) program for those under arms
especially the child soldiers.
"Lest anyone forget, the efforts of the U.N. will not be thwarted for
any reason and should be reminded of the given mandate under Chapter VII,
which explicitly calls for the use of force when the peacekeepers and unarmed
civilians are threatened", the LWI asserted.
"Let it be made emphatically clear that this time around, neither Liberians
nor the peacekeepers for that matter be held hostage nor noosed at anyone's
whim and caprice.
"Samuel Kanyon Doe came as a Redeemer, Charles Macarthur Taylor came
as a Freedom Fighter. We had the ULIMOs as the Liberators, the LPCs as Peacekeepers,
etc. On the current scene are the Reconcilers and the Democrats. Liberia has
known too many liberators and defenders of the people's rights, who have only
come to enslave them. For once let someone live up to their grandiose names
that history may judge them kindly", the LWI press release signed by
its Secretary General Etweda A. Cooper concluded.