United Nations Security Council Resolution 1579 – Liberia
Resolution 1579 (2004)
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its President on the situation in Liberia and West Africa,
Taking note of the reports of the United Nations Panel of Experts on Liberiadated 24 September 2004 (S/2004/752) and 6 December 2004 (S/2004/955)submitted pursuant to resolution 1549 (2004),
Taking note of the letter from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia of 13 December 2004 to the Chairman of the Committeeestablished by paragraph 21 of resolution 1521 (2003),
Recognizing the linkage between the illegal exploitation of natural resources such as diamonds and timber, illicit trade in such resources, and the proliferation and trafficking of arms as one of the sources of fuelling and exacerbating conflictsin West Africa, particularly in Liberia,
Recalling that the measures imposed under resolution 1521 (2003) were designed to prevent such illegal exploitation from fuelling a resumption of the conflict in Liberia, as well as to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the extension of the authority of the National Transitional Government throughout Liberia,
Expressing its satisfaction that the full deployment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has contributed to the improvement of security throughout Liberia, whilst recognizing that the National Transitional Government has not yet established its authority throughout Liberia,
Expressing concern that former President Charles Taylor and others still closely associated with him continue to engage in activities that undermine peace and stability in Liberia and the region,
Having reviewed the measures imposed by paragraphs 2, 4, 6 and 10 of resolution 1521 (2003) and paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004) and the progress towards achieving the objectives set forth in paragraphs 5, 7 and 11 of resolution1521 (2003),
Welcoming the steps taken by the National Transitional Government of Liberia towards meeting the conditions established by the Security Council for lifting the measures imposed by resolution 1521 (2003),
Noting the completion of demobilization and disarmament, respect for the ceasefire and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but emphasizing that significant challenges remain in completing reintegration,repatriation and restructuring of the security sector, as well as establishing andmaintaining stability in Liberia and the subregion,
Noting with concern that, despite having initiated important reforms, theNational Transitional Government of Liberia has made only limited progress towards establishing its full authority and control over the timber-producing areas and towards ensuring that government revenues from the Liberian timber industry are not used to fuel conflict or otherwise in violation of the Council’s resolutions but are used for legitimate purposes for the benefit of the Liberian people, including development,
Welcoming the start of preparations by the National Transitional Governmentof Liberia to establish an effective Certificate of Origin regime for trade in rough diamonds that is transparent and internationally verifiable, looking forward to the visit by representatives of the Kimberley Process to Liberia in early 2005,encouraging the Government to continue its preparations in that regard and urging States to increase their support for its efforts,
Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
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