United Nations Security Council Resolution 1549 – Liberia
Resolution 1549 (2004)
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1521 (2003) of22 December 2003 and resolution 1532 (2004) of 12 March 2004, on the situation inLiberia and West Africa,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Liberia dated 26 May2004 (S/2004/428) and the report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia dated 1 June2004 (S/2004/396), both submitted pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003),
Also taking note of the views expressed by the Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) in the Security Council on 3 June 2004appealing for the lifting of current sanctions on Liberia’s timber and diamonds, and the request that Council experts visit Liberia within the next 90 days to assess the performance of the NTGL in fulfilling the conditions for the lifting of sanctions,
- Decides to re-establish the Panel of Experts appointed pursuant toparagraph 22 of resolution 1521 (2003) for a further period to commence no laterthan 30 June until 21 December 2004 to undertake the following tasks:
(a) to conduct a follow-up assessment mission to Liberia and neighbouringStates, in order to investigate and compile a report on the implementation, and anyviolations, particularly ongoing violations, of the measures referred to in paragraphs2, 4, 6 and 10 of resolution 1521 (2003) including any violations involving rebelmovements and neighbouring countries, and including any information relevant todesignation by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003)(hereinafter, “the Committee”) of the individuals described in paragraph 4 (a) ofresolution 1521 (2003), and including the various sources of financing, such as fromnatural resources, for the illicit trade of arms;
(b) to assess the progress made towards the goals described in paragraphs 5,7 and 11 of resolution 1521 (2003);
(c) to monitor the implementation and enforcement of the measures imposedby paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004), particularly in Liberia and inneighbouring States, as well as in other regions, and to provide the Committee withany information the Panel acquires which will facilitate the identification of individuals and entities of the types described in paragraph 1 of resolution 1532(2004), and with recommendations on technical assistance Liberia and other Statesmight require to implement the measures;
(d) to assess the socio-economic and humanitarian impact of the measures imposed by resolutions 1521 (2003) and 1532 (2004);
2. Further requests the Panel to provide a mid-term report to the Council for its review, through the Committee, no later than 30 September 2004 with itsobservations and recommendations, taking into consideration progress made towards the goals identified in resolution 1521 (2003), in particular paragraphs 7 and 11 of that resolution, and also requests that the Panel present a final report to the Council,through the Committee, no later than 10 December 2004, covering all the tasks assigned to it in paragraph 1 above;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, upon adoption of this resolution andacting in consultation with the Committee, to appoint by 30 June 2004 no more thanfive experts, with the range of expertise necessary to fulfil the Panel’s mandatereferred to above, drawing as much as possible and as appropriate on the expertiseof the members of the Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to paragraph 22 ofresolution 1521 (2003), and further requests the Secretary-General to make thenecessary financial arrangements to support the work of the Panel;
4. Encourages the NTGL to take urgent steps to establish an effectiveCertificate of Origin regime for trade in Liberian rough diamonds that is transparentand internationally verifiable, and urges the NTGL to establish its full authority andcontrol over the timber producing areas, and to take all necessary steps to ensurethat government revenues from the Liberian timber industry are not used to fuelconflict or otherwise in violation of the Council’s resolutions but are used forlegitimate purposes for the benefit of the Liberian people, including development;
5. Reiterates its call upon States, relevant international organizations andothers in a position to do so to offer assistance to the NTGL in achieving theobjectives set forth in paragraphs 5, 7 and 11 of resolution 1521 (2003);
6. Also reiterates its previous appeals to the international community to provide timely and adequate assistance for Liberia’s reconstruction and economicrecovery and, in particular, to redeem the pledges made at the LiberiaReconstruction Conference held in New York on 5-6 February 2004;
7. Urges all States, relevant United Nations bodies and, as appropriate,other organizations and interested parties to cooperate fully with the Committee andPanel of Experts, including by supplying information on possible violations of the measures imposed by paragraphs 2, 4, 6 and 10 of resolution 1521 (2003) andparagraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004);
8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4991st meeting, on 17 June 2004.
