The Liberian Unification Party (LUP) expresses grave concern
over the renewed fighting in Monrovia and elsewhere in Liberia. From our partisans
on the ground, we have learned that the latest fighting has almost certainly
broken down any semblance or perception of law and order in Monrovia as combatants
here have taken to looting and terrorizing innocent civilians while rockets
rain on the city.
While there can be no excuse from the Taylor Government for violating the
ceasefire agreement, there is no justification for the continuous attack by
LURD on the densely populated Monrovia, which along with Buchanan, and Kakata
have become place of refuge and hence major population centers in Liberia
today.
It is disheartening that on the very day that the draft comprehensive peace
agreement was presented by the Mediator in Accra, there was an escalation
of fighting. The on-again off-again attacks on Monrovia does not only put
pressure on Mr. Taylor, whose days are certainly out numbered but also causes
suffering for the people of Liberia, who find themselves at the mercy of the
combatants, rockets and terror. The war must stop now! And now is the time.
We are therefore calling on all parties currently in Accra to bury their political
ambition until general elections, and sign the comprehensive peace agreement
to allow for the immediate deployment of the international stabilization force.
We acknowledged that the draft comprehensive peace agreement, like any other
agreement, does not allow all of the demands of any party, but it is the best
draft that has been produced in more than 51 days of negotiation. Representatives
at the Accra Peace Talks must not continue to enjoy the comfort of Accra,
while delaying and denying our people the peace that they justly deserve.
We call on ECOWAS under the leadership of Nigeria, and the international community
to deploy an interposition force to keep the factions apart until a full deployment
of the stabilization force. The international community must also speed up
the exit of Mr. Taylor, whose continued presence in Liberia is the source
of destabilization and suffering for millions of Liberians.
For Liberia UNIFICATION PARTY
JAMES W. KAYE, Chairman-USA
