Sir, - You write (May 15th) that it would be "prudent as well as common humanity" for the international community to bring to an end the war in Liberia. We fully endorse and urge this and we plan to lobby the Irish Government during their presidency of the EU to prioritise Liberia and the West African region for assistance in the resolution of the wars and conflicts in the region.
The sale of arms and military equipment from within the EU urgently needs to be addressed. Connected to the arms trade, is the destruction of the environment, the pillage from the national economy by smuggling of tropical forest hardwoods, and other natural resources. It appears that Mr Taylor's (the rebellion leader) control of large areas of economically significant forest is a valuable lever providing him with military might, and also with respected international status.
While millions of pounds of grant aid has been transferred to Liberia from the EU to support rehabilitation and resettlement its value is significantly diluted unless it also supports peace efforts rather than undermining peace by the sale of arms from the EU to continue the war. A severe case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
Liberia urgently requires international support for resolution of the war and for humanitarian projects for refugees. It is prudent and also the responsibility of the EU to act, not least of all because of our current trading with Liberia. - Yours, etc.,
Liberia/Sierra Leone,
Solidarity Group,
Palmerstown Woods,
Dublin 22.