S/PV.3805 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Liberia, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the letter dated 24 July 1997 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, document S/1997/581. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council. “The Security Council welcomes the successful holding of presidential and legislative elections in Liberia on 19 July 1997. The Council notes with satisfaction the letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council (S/1997/581) and the declaration in the Joint Certification Statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that the electoral process was free, fair, and credible, and that the outcome of the elections reflects the will of the Liberian voters. “The Security Council congratulates the people of Liberia on the courage and determination they have shown in proceeding with the elections under difficult circumstances. The Council commends all international personnel, especially those of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) and the Military Observer Group (ECOMOG) of ECOWAS, who contributed to the successful holding of elections. “The Security Council welcomes the goodwill and cooperation demonstrated by the parties in the electoral process, which provide a strong foundation for the people of Liberia to achieve a durable peace, the re-establishment of constitutional government and a return to the rule of law. The Council expresses the hope that the successful holding of elections will encourage refugees to exercise their right of return and calls upon the new Government to fulfil its obligations under international law regarding returning refugees. “The Security Council notes that the successful holding of elections represents a critical step towards economic development. The Council urges the international community to continue to provide support and assistance to Liberia through this period of reconstruction. “The Security Council further notes that the successful conclusion of the electoral process marks the fulfilment of a key element of the UNOMIL mandate. “The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1997/41. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.