allAfrica.com: Liberia: Sirleaf Addresses Nation on Taylor Capture and Policy Priorities (Page 1 of 4)

Nation-wide Address By Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia

My Fellow Liberians,

I wish to inform you formally on that which you already know - former President Charles Taylor is in the custody of the United Nations and has been taken to Sierra Leone. We still expect a resolution from the Security Council that will allow for a change of venue to a more conducive environment such as the International Court at the Hague. We have said and will continue to stress that in any proceedings, the United Nations must ensure that Mr. Taylor is allowed to maintain his dignity and the right to a vigorous self defence. This is consistent with the principle that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty. We would also like to reiterate what has already been announced by the Prosecutor - that no other Liberian has been indicted by the Special Court of Sierra Leone, and no one needs to fear for his safety or freedom.

I also want to tell all of those who accompanied or lived in Nigeria with Mr. Taylor that, as citizens of Liberia against whom there is no charge, they are free to return home and will be given the same protection and opportunities as any other citizen so long as they remain law abiding.

Nevertheless, the Government wishes to make it abundantly clear that those who try to use these circumstances as an excuse for insurrection to undermine the stability of the nation will be dealt with harshly and without mercy, as prescribed by law. While the Government will respect their rights as provided for in Articles 15 and 17 of the Constitution, they should be mindful of the provision of Article 76 of the Constitution.

Fellow Citizens, as you know this Government inherited the matter relating to Mr. Taylor and try as we did to avoid it, in the end I had no option but to accept the responsibility of leadership, by taking the hard decision which ensures the long-term safety of the Liberian people and the security of the state. This is what I pledged to do when I took the oath of office on January 16.

Today, we can just thank God that with his blessings, this saga for Liberia has come to an end and the government can now pursue what it was elected to do - bring development and prosperity to the Liberian people.

Fellow Citizens, we have reported to you before on the constrictive financial situation which this Government inherited.

Government revenue, estimated in this fiscal year at US$ 80 million, represents less than one-fifth of what it was in previous years, due in large measure to fiscal indiscipline and corruption.

Outstanding obligations and arrears are monumental - US$ 3.5 billion in external debt; US$ 66 million in domestic debt; US $24 million arrears to civil servants, including successive Legislatures; approximately US$9.3 million arrears to security forces; US$37, 389, 500.00 estimated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as outstanding to our diplomatic missions abroad including $3.2 million to the African Union.

Institutions have become dysfunctional and infrastructure in a state of total disrepair.

Fellow Citizens:

As you know, it is less than three since our government was inaugurated. Despite the mountain of challenges we inherited a new political dispensation, we have moved as rapidly as we possibly could, to put in place the mechanisms designed to lay the basis for our economic reconstruction and national renewal.

A first step in this direction was the formation of the cabinet which is now complete. We tried as much as is possible to put a cabinet together that largely reflects an all-inclusive government but one that meets our core appointment criteria - namely: Competence, Integrity and Respect for Human Rights and Dignity. We are pleased that twelve of the fifteen counties are represented in the cabinet; five women hold strategic economic and security portfolios. Beyond the cabinet, all counties, ethnic groups and religions are represented.

We may not have met everyone's expectations and aspirations, but we have tried and will continue to try to do more as other positions in the Government are filled.

Let me take this time to thank the Ministers for accepting their respective nominations, and congratulate them on their confirmation by the Senate.

It is my expectation that all cabinet Ministers and Government officials in general, will conduct themselves in ways that will bring respect and credibility to our country.

I also hope that, for as long as they serve under my leadership, all concerned will reflect the principles of transparency and accountability in all their activities.

Let me use this opportunity to also thank the honorable members of the Legislature for the cooperation which we have received in this regard. We thank the Senate, in particular, for their cooperation and understanding during the ongoing confirmation process, thus making it possible for the Executive branch to timely assume its responsibilities under the constitution in a timely manner.

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