Folks, The chairman has spoken to the Liberians and the world.I hope and wish the Liberians
all the best of luck this time for a better leadership through the transitional period and future
governments to come.May the almighty bless Africa.
Fye Niamorkono.
> Induction Address By His Excellency C. Gyude Bryant, Chairman, National
> Transitional Government Of Liberia
>
> Capitol Building
> Monrovia, Liberia
> Wednesday, October 14, 2003
>
>
>
> The Inquirer
> Monrovia, Liberia
>
>
> Distributed by
>
> The Perspective
> Atlanta, Georgia
>
> Posted October 17, 2003
>
>
>
> His Excellency Joachim Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique &
> Chairman of the African Union; His Excellency John A. Kufour, President of
> the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African
> States (ECOWAS); His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal
> Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency Moses Z. Blah, Former President of the
> Republic of Liberia; His Excellency Jacques Klein, Special Representative of
> the Secretary General of the United Nations to Liberia; Heads of Ad Hoc
> Missions Accredited to these Ceremonies; Mr. Speaker and Members o f the
> National Transitional Legislative Assembly; Her Honor, the Chief Justice and
> Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Members of the Cabinet;
> His Excellency the Doyen & Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Eminent
> Personalities, Local and Foreign Prelates and Members of the Clergy, The
> National Muslim Council of Liberia; Current and Former Officials of
> Government; Tribal Chiefs and Traditional Leaders; Distinguished Ladies and
> Gentlemen; Fellow Citizens; Friends:
>
> We gather here today to celebrate the beginning of the end of 24 years of
> civil conflict in our country.
>
> For the third time in the past 23 years, we have been constrained to set
> aside our organic law and pursue a change of national leadership through
> extra-constitutional means; each time, hoping that the change would be for
> the better. But in the first and second instances, we went from bad to
> worse, reaping only a harvest of despair.
>
> This third time around, we are determined to move together in concert to
> arrest further polarization of our nation and deterioration of our social
> fabric.
>
>
> We are here, therefore, to lay a solid foundation for many transitions:
>
> A transition from the denigrating politics of patronage and tribalism, to
> the empowering politics of diversity and inclusiveness;
>
> A transition from recurrent civil conflicts and divisiveness to
> reconciliation and national unity;
>
> A transition from the harmful vices of lies, deceit, sycophancy, treachery,
> intolerance and indiscipline, to the noble virtues of truthfulness, honesty,
> adulation, fairness, kindness and discipline;
>
> A transition from secrecy, inordinate greed and corruption, to openness,
> modesty, transparency and accountability in national governance;
>
> A transition from the practice of pursuing personal interest in government
> at the expense of the people, to a new attitude of promoting and seeking the
> general welfare of all of our people;
>
> A transition from a culture of lawlessness and impunity, to rule of law,
> respect for human rights, and the equitable dispensation of social justice;
>
> A transition from a centralized, Monrovia-centered government, to a
> decentralized government wherein the people are empowered to assume
> responsibility for the transformation of their communities;
>
> A transition from opportunism for a few members of the ruling elite, to
> equal access to opportunities for all of our people; and
>
> A transition from extensive underdevelopment, to a better quality of life
> for all of our people.
> OUR MISSION:
> Our country has become a failed state! The Sweet Land of Liberty, which was
> once considered the beacon of hope of Africa, has become another glaring
> example of a nation-state in decay.
> Ours is, therefore, a rescue mission: to take our country back from the
> brink of self-destruction; to take our country back from the trenches of
> despair and hopelessness; to redirect our nation and redeem the pledge of
> our forebears to: "establish justice, insure domestic peace, and promote the
> common good".
>
> The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Accra, Ghana, on August 18, 2003
> provides the basis for moving our country forward. We shall scrupulously and
> meticulously implement its provisions.
>
> Fellow citizens, ladies and gentlemen, today we pledge before God and man,
> that Liberians and members of the international community will see in us the
> finest examples of commitment and diligence in the discharge of our
> responsibilities under the Agreement.
>
> POLICY FRAMEWORK
> GOOD GOVERNANCE:
> Historically, the core problem that Liberians have had has arisen out of
> their inability to effectively perform the fundamental task of governance.
> This is primarily because, for a very long time, various administrations
> have paid lip service to the Constitution of the Republic. This led to the
> civil war. Today, despite our abundant human and natural resources and long
> history as a sovereign nation, Liberia has been classified among the poorest
> countries of the world. It is all about not obeying the Constitution. Let me
> declare, here and now, that I hold sacred the oath I have just taken, to
> "uphold, protect and defend the Constitution" and the Comprehensive Peace
> Agreement.
>
> Our Government will take the Constitution seriously and be governed by it in
> all our policies and actions; and good governance shall be the guide for our
> Administration. Additionally, in obedience to the Constitution, this
> Government will encourage the exercise of freedom of speech and of the
> press, which constitutes one of the basic tenets of good governance.
>
> It is only when the people are free to speak, write and print that they can
> help keep the government accountable and transparent. I also pledge that our
> Government will encourage an independent and unfettered Judiciary, where
> justice will be administered freely, fairly and impartially.
>
> This Government will also embrace the Good Governance Program of Liberia,
> which has been developed with the assistance of the UNDP. We shall also make
> the Governance Reform Commission of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement a
> fully functioning and effective mechanism to undertake further research and
> to recommend activities to induce adherence to the tenets of good
> governance.
>
> GOOD NEIGHBORLINESS:
> My fellow Liberians, it is high time that we as a people be true and honest
> neighbors. Under our leadership, Liberia shall be a nation of peace: at
> peace with herself; at peace with her neighbors; and at peace with the
> international community. The focus of our foreign policy shall be good
> neighborliness and peaceful co-existence. We shall restore a harmonious
> relationship with our neighbors in the Mano River Union, La Cote d'Ivoire,
> and the wider neighborhood that comprises the West African Sub-Region. In
> addition, no group of any kind shall use Liberia for either terrorism, or
> destabilization of another country.
>
> Toward these ends, we reach out to President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra
> Leone; President Lansannah Coteh of Guinea; and President Laurent Gbagbo of
> La Cote d'Ivoire.
>
> PEACE BUILDING AND RECONCILIATION:
> Continued conflicts have hurt and destroyed our society for too long. We
> need to exert new and meaningful efforts to achieve genuine peace and
> reconciliation.
>
> Fellow citizens, national healing and renewal shall be the primary
> objectives of our reconciliation efforts. Our approach to national
> reconciliation shall be simple: Liberians will be urged to forgive one
> another, to be reconciled with one another, and to join others in the search
> for closer national affinity.
> Peace and reconciliation will require all of us to give a little. We are not
> asking anyone to forget. We cannot forget because if we do so, we will not
> have learned any lessons from the past 23 years of attempting to solve our
> problems through violence. But what we are asking is for each of us to look
> into the mirror, see the enemy in us, and show some willingness to forgive
> brother or sister.
> To build the peace, all arms must be collected and decommissioned; all
> fighting units must be dissolved; all control and command structures must be
> disbanded; and all fighting men and women must be retired and rehabilitated.
> The entire country must be combed and rid of arms.
>
> In addition, we must reintegrate all combatants into normal life in society
> and help them acquire a stake in Liberia's future - a stake so significant,
> that never again shall war ever be considered an option for them.
> Rehabilitation programs, however, should take into account the needs of not
> only ex-combatants, but all members of the community.
>
> To build the peace, we must also reintegrate into the mainstream of society,
> all Liberians who have been dislocated either as refugees in foreign
> countries, or as internally displaced people. They, too, should be assisted
> in re-establishing their lives and provided with opportunities to acquire a
> stake in Liberia's tomorrow.
>
> To build the peace, there must be justice - justice for all, irrespective of
> origin, religion or other persuasions - justice based on the rule of law and
> respect for the fundamental rights of the individual as declared in our
> Constitution and international instruments. Accordingly, security sector
> reforms shall be undertaken; and these reforms shall accentuate training,
> re-adjusting attitudes and orientations, improving community relations,
> inculcating loyalty to the state, and respect for human rights and the rule
> of law.
>
> Today, we defiantly draw a line in the sand between good and evil. We
> challenge those who believe that this country cannot and will not redeem its
> pledge of justice for all, to test our character and our resolve.
>
> THE ECONOMY AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES
> Our country has been designated the poorest of the world. But it is common
> knowledge that this same Liberia once had a vibrant economy, which matched
> the economies of Southeast Asia. Today, the economies of Southeast Asian
> countries are so developed, they are referred to as the "Emerging Markets,"
> while Liberia sinks deeper into poverty as a result of gross mismanagement,
> massive corruption and continued conflict. This trend must be reversed!
>
> To revive the economy and restore essential services, the Government will
> establish an economic stimulus program that will put our people back to
> work. Our economic stimulus program will have a growth orientation that
> focuses on employment generation and poverty alleviation through productive
> resettlement. Resources will be directed at reducing the unacceptable high
> indices of underdevelopment which our country is experiencing.
>
> We are under no illusions: we know that the tasks to restore essential
> services are awesome. We are not certain that all services will be
> completely restored before the expiry of our 28-month term of office. What
> we are certain about is that the process of restoration of services and
> overall reconstruction will commence now.
>
> FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
> Remembering that rigged elections have been a source of conflict in Liberia,
> the Peace Agreement calls for collaboration with the international
> community, particularly the United Nations, in the conduct of the next
> elections. We welcome this provision.
>
> MESSAGE TO THE LEADERS OF THE WARRING PARTIES
> The war is over!
> Never Again!
>
> Those grievances that motivated you to take up arms against your own people
> and government are now on the political table. You have been brought into
> the government in positions of your choosing. Let us now work together to
> seek an amicable resolution of the grievances. Let us now work together to
> move our country forward into an era of sustainable peace and human
> development.
> As we together seek to correct the ills of the past, the eyes of our people
> and the world will be upon us. Let us, therefore, govern with every ounce of
> thoughtfulness for our people and diligence in public service. Ours is a
> trust bestowed upon us by providence. Let us not betray this trust.
>
> Our collective responsibility is to ensure that we merge our various
> factions and parties into a coordinated, functional, and credible
> government.
>
> What we are contemplating is nothing short of a radical re-ordering of how
> we think, how we live and how we interact with one another. We cannot
> accomplish what we need to accomplish by returning to business as usual.
>
> To the Combatants
>
> The war is over!
>
> Never again!
>
> Many of you are young. Many of you have been on the periphery of our
> society. Life has been meaningless, for there appears to be no
> opportunities. Most of you have been disadvantaged by the lack of education
> and training. Others among you have been abused. All of you have lost your
> childhood and even adolescence. This government, with the assistance of the
> international community, will seek to address, in a holistic and coherent
> manner, the wide range of problems associated with former combatants. Your
> effective reintegration into local communities shall be accelerated. Among
> the problems to be addressed, top priority will be given to education,
> health-care and food security. We shall seek the help of the international
> community in addressing these problems.
>
> In the process of restoring Liberia, our institutions of higher learning
> will be crucial. We shall work hard to revive and support the University of
> Liberia and all other institutions of higher learning.
> To the Liberian People
>
> I know that too many of you have been hurt either by actions of combatants,
> your fellow citizens, or by actions of your own government. Under these
> circumstances, it is hard to ask you to forgive, and to give us your trust.
> But we have no option, except to ask that you trust us and work with us as
> we commence the task of moving Liberia forward.
>
> If no government before ours has served you well, this Government will!
>
> Let me caution you, however, that our problems are enormous and our current
> national capacity is low.
>
> Be that as it may, our Government will do its utmost for you.
>
> Over the months since we were selected to head the Transitional Government,
> we have received tremendous goodwill for our country. The international
> community is poised, ready and willing to help us. But there are two
> conditions: First, we must help ourselves; and second, we must subscribe to
> and implement the norms of decency, civility and good governance. Let me now
> assure you, fellow Liberians, that we shall do what is appropriate to
> attract external assistance to our country so that the quality of life of
> the Liberian people will be changed permanently for the better.
>
> Fellow Citizens, the harm of our country was done not only by those in arms.
> Many of us took advantage of the situation to enjoy what we erroneously
> believed to be the spoils of war. We looted the offices of both government
> and private businesses. We looted civil society institutions and we looted
> the homes and shops of our neighbors.
>
> What is even more disgusting is that we have the audacity to sell those from
> whom we looted, their own properties. But, if you believe in the new Liberia
> we are seeking to build, we appeal to you to join us in making our country
> free of looting. We shall endeavor to create the conditions that will
> empower each able-bodied citizen to reap a fair share of his labor, from the
> sweat of his own brow, rather than to take, seize or loot from others that
> which is lawfully theirs. Let us remember that one of the hallmarks of our
> free enterprise system is respect for private property.
>
> A key demand of the Liberian people and the international community is the
> eradication of corruption. Corruption, particularly in government, is a
> cancer that has been eating at the heart of our nation for a very long time.
> It must be checked.
>
> My Fellow Citizens, we must work diligently and passionately to eradicate
> corruption from our personal and national lives. We shall not pay lip
> service to eliminating corruption. We shall attack it from the core of its
> foundation and from every angle, not only because its eradication is a
> benchmark set by the international community for assistance to us; but also
> because we are aware that corruption is inimical to the sustainable
> development of our country. We shall attack corruption because it is the
> right thing to do. There will be zero tolerance for corruption in this
> Administration.
> My Fellow Citizens, within the immediate future, you will begin to feel the
> impact of our commitment, and experience a difference through the policies
> we adopt.
>
> During the months since our selection, we studied various sectors of the
> economy and we determined, as you probably know already, that the prices you
> pay for a 100-pound bag of rice, a gallon of gasoline, a gallon of kerosene,
> and a gallon of diesel fuel are unnecessarily too high. These, among other
> things, negatively impact the quality of your lives. This exorbitant cost of
> living is unacceptable and shall be reduced.
>
> Accordingly, without interfering with our free market system, which we
> cherish, the Government will initiate policies to ensure that effective
> November 1, 2003, this unreasonable hardship on our people is reduced. Among
> other things: the price of rice will go down; the price of gasoline will go
> down; the price of fuel oil will go down; and the price of kerosene will
> also go down.
>
> As a consequence of the reductions of the cost of petroleum products, the
> cost of transportation will be reduced accordingly, and the public will be
> duly informed.
>
> We are aware that one of the most important elements in the improvement of
> the quality of life of any people is their active and sustained involvement
> in the business and commercial life of their country. Unfortunately, for too
> long the business and commercial life of the Liberian nation has been
> dominated by foreigners.
>
> While we welcome the continued participation of foreigners in the economic
> sector, this government, will as a matter of urgent priority, exert every
> effort to encourage Liberians to go into business, to stay there and to
> develop and expand their enterprises. Liberians must be encouraged to assume
> the responsibility for building Liberia. No one else can do it better than
> ourselves.
>
> The effect of the civil conflict on the lives of all of us is devastating.
> One of the sources of relief is the barrels and cartons of humanitarian
> goods and personal effects sent by non-resident Liberians to their families
> and friends here at home. Levies have been recently imposed on the
> importation of these barrels and cartons, thereby adding unnecessary
> hardship on our people. Effective immediately, there shall be no levies on
> barrels and cartons containing personal effects and relief supplies sent to
> Liberians from abroad.
>
> The Comprehensive Peace Agreement decries monopolies in our economy; and in
> implementing those provisions of the Agreement, there shall be no monopolies
> on rice, petroleum and other products. The market will be free, open and
> competitive.
>
> Our Constitution guarantees the free movement of our people; the
> Comprehensive Peace Agreement accentuates this principle as evidence of a
> free people. Accordingly, the requirement for the exit visa is hereby
> abolished.
>
> To the United States of America
> Liberia remains the only country on the African continent with special
> historical ties with the United States of America. For more than 150 years,
> Liberia has remained a faithful and trusted ally of the United States. In
> World War II, Liberian territory was used by the United States Armed Forces
> as a supply center for the Allied campaign in North Africa. Liberia made the
> United States self-sufficient in rubber - a commodity that was critical to
> America's industrialization.
>
> During the Cold War, Liberia housed the largest United States intelligence
> and navigation information network in Africa.
>
> Despite intermittent difficulties, Liberia - U.S. relations have withstood
> the test of time. As we begin this new era of national renewal, we invite
> the United States Government to engage us in a renewed and strengthened
> friendship as we face the formidable task of national transformation. We
> welcome recent signals from Washington assuring us of continued long-term
> support of the United States in assisting Liberia make this sustainable
> transformation.
>
> We express special thanks to President George W. Bush for his recent
> personal involvement in changing the course of events in Liberia for the
> better.
> To the Leaders and Peoples of ECOWAS
>
> The people of Liberia will always be grateful to the Heads of State and
> Government and the peoples of the West African Sub-Region for their concern
> shown to Liberia and its people.
>
> We appreciate the sacrifices that the peoples of the sub-region have made
> and continue to make over these long and difficult years to preserve the
> sovereignty and integrity of Liberia.
>
> When we needed a friend to lean on, you, our brothers and sisters, came to
> our rescue, giving up your sons and daughters to die so that Liberians might
> live and our country survive. When our people, in desperation and pain,
> sought refuge from hostilities, you provided shelter for us.
> We are convinced that the members of ECOWAS, led by our big brother, the
> Federal Republic of Nigeria, are truly performing the role, and living up to
> the challenge conferred upon them by history and Providence.
>
> President Obasanjo, to you and the great people of Nigeria, we, the people
> of Liberia, extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
>
> We also pay a special tribute to His Excellency John A. Kufour, President of
> the Republic of Ghana, and Current Chair of ECOWAS, for providing leadership
> to the Organization in addressing the Liberian crisis, as well as for the
> warm African hospitality extended in hosting the recently concluded Liberian
> Peace Talks.
>
> No doubt, blood and tears have further sealed the fraternal bonds between
> the people of Liberia and those of the Sub-region. Behold, from henceforth,
> our children will remember and call you blessed!
>
> Special Acknowledgment
> For their personal contribution to peace and stability in Liberia, special
> acknowledgment also goes from the National Transitional Government of
> Liberia to the following dignitaries:
>
> UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
> President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa;
> President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique;
> President Aboulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal
> King Mohammed VI of Morocco
> The Members of the European Union
> Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar,
> His Excellency Nana Akuffo-Addo, Foreign Minister of Ghana
> Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Executive Secretary of ECOWAS.
> Members of the International Contact Group on Liberia
> The Wider International Community
>
> Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Liberia's fundamental problem is
> prolonged years of underdevelopment, which has now resulted in continued
> conflicts. Liberia, therefore craves the indulgence of the international
> community to understand the underlying causes of her problems as well as the
> enormity and complexity of these problems.
>
> Beyond the resolution of our conflict and the provision of humanitarian
> assistance, we make an urgent appeal to you to assist Liberia in reforming
> her economic and political structures and institutions, which are
> indispensable to sustainable human development.
>
> Without this assistance, Liberia will not meaningfully attend to her
> underdevelopment; and without attending to her underdevelopment in a
> meaningful way, Liberia stands to be a zero-sum game in which more political
> instability will induce more underdevelopment.
>
> We seek true partnership with the international community, not just symbolic
> partnership. We seek a partnership which will allow us to take ownership of
> the development of our country. We seek a partnership that accommodates the
> use of national skills and talents; a partnership geared towards building
> institutions and setting in motion processes for the renewal of Liberia as a
> vibrant and well-managed state.
>
> Finally, Fellow Citizens, Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
> Friends, Liberia is today a country in conflict. But even in the midst of
> the consuming chaos, I am convinced that with your cooperation, Liberia will
> become a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation and regain its pristine
> place among the comity of nations.
>
> Let us reaffirm faith in our future and rebuild confidence in our confidence
> in our capacity to achieve a better quality of life for all our people.
>
> I have faith that God will grant us His grace to achieve these goals because
> they are just and good for all our people.
>
> So as we leave these ceremonies, let us now start this new beginning with a
> greater degree of harmony, accord, faith, and the determination to succeed.
>
> May God, the Almighty, Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,
> grant us His Peace and Bless Liberia!
>
> I thank you.
>
>
>
> Bro. Germaine G. Verdier
> Chairman
> http://www.vhi-sweden.org
>
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