You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Africa: West
UN explains delay in Liberian disarmament - and has a meeting.
2004-01-16
Liberia is growing more stable and secure by the day, said UN special envoy Jacques Klein, adding that the improvement was "irreversible". However, on Thursday, the process of disarming the estimated 40,000 fighters was again postponed - until February. The BBC’s Mark Doyle in Monrovia says the UN decision to delay the disarmament programme is a victory for common sense. Frontline rebel commanders had said they had not been involved by the UN in explaining the disarmament process to their fighters on the ground.
BANG
Ouch, Didn’t your leader tell you to disarm?
No, our command structure is very disorganized.
This phase is due to take about 20-30 days.
They didn't notice when Chuck left? And the shootin' died down? What'd they think they were going to do?
Under the programme the fighters will receive $300 each for laying down their arms. They will then get food rations, counselling and education, according to the UN plan.
Joeseph, what did you want to do with you’re life before you became a drug-sotted homicidal sociopath freedom-fighter?
I wanted to be a dancer.
The problems included lack of adequate peacekeepers and poor command structures among the blue helmets militia groups that frustrated the shepherding of fighters to disarmament sites in a safe and disciplined manner.
Also they are armed and frankly the shepherd might get shot.
The UN has some 7,500 peacekeepers in Liberia, however they are mostly based in the capital, Monrovia where it's safer and large parts of the country remain under rebel control.
There are no rebels anymore; we are just one big family under one big tent. Why is the UN milling about in the capital? I thought that was why the rebuilding effort was failing in Afghanistan.
Posted by:Super Hose

#3  I found a report from August 2003 that said the Liberian unemployment rate was 80% and the average income was US$83 per year. A surrended weapon that's worth 3 1/2 years income seems a good incentive to me. But Ughman has a point.
Posted by: Gasse Katze   2004-1-16 5:31:59 PM  

#2  Wonder how many new guns they can buy for $300 each?
Posted by: Ughman   2004-1-16 3:00:47 PM  

#1  "UN explains delay.... and has a meeting"
To paraphrase Mao: Talk,talk,talk; fight,fight,fight; Talk,talk,talk
Posted by: Gasse Katze   2004-1-16 1:48:25 PM  

00:00