NEWS RELEASES

July 16, 2001 (10:15 a.m. EDT) No. 105

CANADA IMPOSES UN SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBERIA

John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that, as of July 12, Canada has implemented regulations consistent with our international obligations, that put into effect sanctions against Liberia. These sanctions are pursuant to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1343 of March 7, 2001.

Resolution 1343 ordered member states to impose sanctions against Liberia if the Government of Liberia did not immediately cease support for rebel groups in the region, especially the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone.

The Resolution imposes an international legal obligation on all member states of the United Nations to prevent the sale or supply of arms and related materials and training in Liberia. It imposes an obligation to prevent the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Liberia and a ban on travel to Canada by people who are named in a list prepared by the UN Security Council.

"The Government of Liberia has not complied with the Security Council's demands and the imposition of these sanctions is reflective of Canada's commitment to the United Nations," said Mr. Manley. "Canada has also raised the issues of civil and political rights, Liberian government support for the RUF, and the traffic in arms and diamonds, with Liberian officials on several occasions, without a satisfactory response."

Liberia's support for the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone has been a significant obstacle to a resolution of the conflict in Sierra Leone, which continues despite the Lomé Peace Accord. On December 20, 2000, a panel of experts submitted a report to the UNSC stating that diamonds represent a major source of income for the RUF and that the bulk of RUF diamonds leave Sierra Leone through Liberia with the permission and involvement of Liberian government officials at the highest levels. As well, a direct link was established between the trade in Sierra Leonean diamonds and the circumvention of the arms embargo imposed by UNSC resolutions.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sanjeev Chowdhury

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874