Event: Pearl-MUN 2002
Student: Sarah Abu-Saleh
Event: Pearl-MUN 2002
Student: Sarah Abu-Saleh
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Natural resources
Agricultural economy is the most important thing in Liberia, minerals and forest products are its most important resources. Liberia produces iron ore, wood, and rubber, which are the major importance to the Liberian economy. Hydroelectric power plants have been constructed on several streams, including the Saint Paul River. The total electricity production stood at 432 million kilowatt-hours in 1999, 38 percent of it hydroelectric power.
Cultural factors:
Liberia, which means "Land of the Free", was founded by freed slaves that migrated from the United States to Liberia in 1820. They were called Americo-Liberians. When they arrived in Liberia they established a settlement in Christopolis, now Monrovia on February 6, 1820. This group of 86 immigrants formed the Republic of Liberia.
Americo-Liberians have remained a minority of the country's population. 16 ethnic groups make up Liberia's population. The Kpelle in central and western Liberia is the largest ethnic group. Americo-Liberians, who are originally freed slaves that arrived in Liberia early in 1821, make up 5% of the population. There is a big number of Lebanese, Indians, and other West African nationals who make up a major part of Liberia's business community. Liberia’s official language is English but only 20% speak it. The rest use their ethnic group language. 40% of the population is Christians, 20% are Muslims and the rest have different beliefs.
Political Structure
The republic of Liberia’s independence day was in 26 July 1847. Following a coup d'état in 1980, Liberia's constitution, promulgated in 1847, was suspended. A new constitution was published in 1983, approved by popular referendum in 1984, and promulgated in January 1986. Under this constitution a president and vice president are jointly elected to a six-year term by universal adult suffrage. The two-chamber National Assembly is composed of a Senate, whose 26 members are elected to nine-year terms, and a House of Representatives, whose 64 members are elected for six years. Liberia's government is similar to the United States with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The different parties of Liberia have the real power such as the National Democratic Party, the Unity Party, the Liberian Action Party, the Liberia Unification Party, and the United People's Party. The above parties are fighting with Taylor. Liberia is a dictatorship country.
Defense
Liberia has a very week military defense due to the past wars. The military branches in Liberia are the Army, Air, Force, and the Navy. Liberia is currently spending $1 million dollars on military expenditures and this is considered to be a very big number since the country can’t afford different military supplies such as tanks. The Liberian’s can’t defeat Nigeria and Sri Leone because it’s defense branches is very weak and very poor. The Liberian military is not experienced and most of the soldiers there are 15 year old boys. Liberia can win the war with any country if the united states supports her with army, supplies and everything.
Geography:
Liberia is a country located in the Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d' Ivoire and Sierra Leone. Liberia’s area is 111,369 sq. km. The capital is Monrovia (est. 750,000). Main towns--Buchanan (est.300, 000), Ganta (est. 290,000), Gbarnga (est.150, 000), Kakata (est.100, 000), Harbel (est.136, 000). Liberia’s terrain are three areas-Mangrove swamps and beaches along the coast, wooded hills and semi deciduous shrublands along the immediate interior, and dense tropical forests and plateaus in the interior. Liberia has 40% of West Africa's rain forest.
The climate of Liberia is humid, mainly during the June to July and October to November rainy seasons. Annual rainfall varies from 2,240 mm in the interior to 5,210 mm along the coast. The normal temperature in Monrovia is about 2°C in January and 24°C in July.
The Liberian’s humid forests include cotton, fig, mahogany, ironwood, and various kinds of palms, as well as rubber trees. Wildlife such as pygmy hippopotamus are found, as well as chimpanzee, leopards, elephant, buffalo, and monkey, but unfortunately are gradually disappearing (as the forest gets burned for agriculture…)
Views on world problems:
Liberia’s main fear in the present time is to get ditched by the United States, its only fiend. So, by supporting the United states the percentage of getting ditched and left alone decreases Liberia is a friendly country that supports peace in the Middle East with America and it is trying to convince rich countries to raise money for Aids and Cancer treatments. The Liberian republic has so many problems to deal with throughout its country so despite the fact that she is a member of the United Nations she cannot do anything that will affect worldwide peace. Liberia’s main enemy is Nigeria. Liberia is part of all the worldwide organizations. Human rights and Amnesty International have taken a major interest in looking into the Liberian problems.
Economy
Liberia’s economy is largely based on the agricultural products and on its natural resources exports. Civil war destroyed much of the economy of Liberia Before the war countries had investment with its rich natural resources which is mainly rubber, iron ore, and timber. The government had started educational training programs to encourage the development of other areas other than the 72 percent of the labor force that work in agriculture and forestry. But unfortunately those programs, were be stopped by the war. In the late 1980s the annual budget showed revenues of $217 million and current and development expenditures of $248 million; by 1993 government income had been reduced to small revenues from registering merchant shipping. The principal port in Buchanan reopened in mid-1993, and the export of rubber and timber resumed. Liberia owes money to many countries but the most one is the united states.
History
Liberia was founded in 1816 by the American Colonization, which resettled freed American slaves in Africa. In 1815 colonization tried in Sierra Leone but had failed. Six years later native rulers granted an area of land on Cape Mesurado, at the entrance of the Saint Paul River, to US. representatives, and the first Americo-Liberians, led by Jehudi Ashmun, began the settlement. In 1824 an American agent for the society, Ralph Randolph Gurley, named the new colony Liberia and the Cape Mesurado settlement Monrovia.
During the next 20 years other settlements were established along the coast. Conflicts started between the settlers and the society in the United States. By the time Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first black governor in 1841, the decision had been made to give the colonists almost full control of the government. A constitution modeled on that of the United States was drawn up, and Liberia became an independent republic in July 1847. Roberts was its first president, serving until 1856. Roberts was its first president, serving until 1856. Liberia was recognized by Britain in 1848, by France in 1852, and by the United States in 1862.
The Colonization goes back to the 18th century. From the beginning it was an issue between blacks and whites. The American Colonization Society (ACS) was created in 1817 to send free African-Americans to Africa as an and freeing all the rest in the United States. In 1822, the society was made on the west coast of Africa state that became the independent nation of Liberia in 1847. By 1867, they received 13,000 more emigrants. In the beginning of the 1830s the society was cruelly attacked by abolitionism
After the Civil War, financial support for colonization was decreased when many blacks wanted to go to Liberia. The Liberian society during its later years focused on education rather than emigration. In 1913 and at its ending in 1964, the society donated its records to the Library of Congress which contained wealth information about the foundation of the society such as its role in establishing Liberia, efforts to manage and defend the colony, fund-raising, recruitment of settlers, and the way in which black settlers built and led the new nation. In 1917 Liberia declares war on Germany, thus giving the Allies a base in West Africa. Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company opens a rubber plantation on land that was given by the government. Rubber production becomes backbone of economy in 1926 . In 1936 forced-labor practices abolished. William Tubman was elected as a president in 1943. After a year the Liberian government declares war on the Axis powers. 1951 women voted for the first time.
In 1971 president Tubman dies and is succeeded by William Tolbert Jr. The Liberian government accepts aid from the Soviet Union for the first time in 1974. After four years Liberia signs trade agreement with the European Economic Community. In 1979 unfortunately more than 40 people were killed in riots following a proposed increase in the price of rice.
In 1980 Master Sergeant Samuel Doe stages military coup. Tolbert and more than 12 of his aides are killed. A People's Redemption Council headed by Doe suspends constitution and assumes full powers. After four years Doe's regime allows return of political parties following pressure from the United States and other creditors. In 1985 Doe wins presidential election. In 1989 the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor begins an uprising against the government. After a year the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sends peacekeeping force. Doe is executed by a splinter group of the NPFL. In 1991 ECOWAS and the NPFL agree to disarm and set up an Interim Government of National Unity. In 1993 The military factions draw up a plan for a National Transitional Government and a cease-fire, but this fails to materialize and fighting resumes. After a year The military factions agree on a timetable for disarmament and the setting up of a joint Council of State. A Peace agreement was signed in 1995. In 1996 the fighting resumed and spread to Monrovia. In August 1996 the West African peace keepers starts allowing refugees to start returning. In January 1997 the program declared a success. In the late 1997’s Charles Taylor wins the elections and was a president. In the beginning of 1999 Liberia was accused by Nigeria and Ghana of supporting Revolutionary United Front rebels in Sierra Leone And the Unite states and Britain threatens Liberia to stop the international aid. In the late 1999 Guinea accuses Liberia of entering territories and attacking its borders.
In July 2000 the US threatens to impose sanction on Liberia unless it curtails its ties with Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front. In 2001 the Security council punishes Taylor for trading weapons for diamond
from rebels in Sierra Leone. IN 2002 more than 50,000 Liberians and Sierra Leonean refugees flee fighting and the government says that it is fighting an unfair war against rebels since it can't get new military supplies because of the arms embargo. Taylor declares state of emergency.
Policy Statements
The Question of Palestine and the Peace process in the Middle East
Liberia is a country that supports the idea of peace. Liberia always stands to the side of the United States and supports its agreements and all the peace talk. The Middle East and Palestine have never been an enemy for any of the African countries, in fact they were always supportive for the worldwide peace issue.
Although Liberia is a country with its own rights and dissensions, it always stands to the United States side, and always agrees to whatever she says. So, when the United States says that Israel has the right to stay in the Palestinian land, then Liberia votes and supports her because in the end all the support, aid and Liberia finance and budget comes from the United States. Liberia agrees with whatever the United States say because in alternative Liberia will get everything from the United States.
Measures to ensure the riot minority within a country
Due to the civil war in 1989-1997 estimated that 480,000 of Liberia’s 2.1 million of population became refugees, that 700,000 were internally displaced, and that over 150,000 people were killed. The food production was reduced. The civil was cause hunger and widespread malnutrition. Farmers were forced to leave their field and the lands were used for other things. Trouble occurred and the country deteriorated. Liberian people that were not soldiers were killed. Large numbers of children were used as soldiers. After the civil war widespread suffering continued. Thousand of non-civilians came from the forest and they caused massive problems and they violated rules, and hundreds of people are believed to have died from the lack of food and medicine. Thousands of children suffered from severe malnutrition. The problem was noticed and it was mentioned in a lot of meetings.
International donors agreed to give Liberia aid. Since the 1997 elections, Liberia has received tens of millions of dollars of bi-and multilateral assistance. In September 1998, Liberia was listed among countries qualifying for debt relief under the IMF/World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative. Some of the conditions have improved somewhat. Approximately 280,000 refugees have re-entered the country, and some 75,000 internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. The UN. Food and Agricultural Organization are improving in the food situation. Yearly aid is given to Liberia. The country is building shelters and houses for the homeless people. Liberia is trying to improve the economical conditions. Little of the demolished communications has been rebuilt, public utilities (plumbing, sewage, and electricity) are absent, and education and health care are still poor.
Liberia is voting with all the policies which grant human rights to the minorities. It accepts all the aid and help given due to its desperate situation.
The Question of International terrorism
Liberia is a country that has many problems internally. The civil war had a big impact on Liberia’s history of terrorism. Large numbers of deaths and murders have occurred to past Liberian politicians. Many countries call Liberia as a terrorist. Liberia has many problems to solve before solving international terrorist problems. And even if she has a chance to solve it than she doesn’t have a right to vote because of the money it owes for the world. Liberia supports peace.
Liberia would support all the programs, organizations, meetings that discuss the problem of world peace, and especially if it has a against Liberia and the African country’s like the civil war and the terrorism in the country. Liberia is a country that votes for all the peacemaking settlements and all the legislation given by the UN. Liberia votes against the ones in Sierra Leone and Liberia
The Question of Drug usage, drug trafficking, and rehabilitation programs.
Liberia is a country that was deteriorated by the civil war in 1989-1990 and by renewed hostilities from October 1992 through May 1993. Liberia is not a major drug producer. West African traffickers use the country to a limited extent as an alternate route for heroin and cocaine destined for the US. and Western Europe. Illicit drugs enter Liberia by air or sea from other West African countries. War-induced stagnation of the legitimate economy and the perception that Liberians are viewed with less suspicion by US. authorities than are other West Africans have also made Liberia fertile ground for recruiting drug couriers. During 1993, air links to Nigeria increased. There also were increased suspicions about the possible involvement in narcotics traffic by members of the West African peacekeeping force in Liberia. Drug abuse, while not widespread, has been noted among urban youth and the various warring factions. Marijuana was the most commonly used drug. During 1993, the rival administrations, which controlled different sections of the country, devoted few resources to drug enforcement or demand reduction. Drugs were given child soldiers in order to encourage them to carry out dangerous operations without fear. There is a huge delivery of fake drugs on the Liberian market.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Liberia are strict, and the lawbreaker can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. The trafficking of drugs is getting higher because of the easier ways of communications. Liberia is a poor country that is facing problems due to the Civil War. The country has no rehabilitation centers because of its poor conditions. I believe that before the country builds rehabilitation center let it provide shelters for the people who are homeless due to the Civil War.
Liberia would vote with all the programs that want to decrease the amount of drugs and drug trafficking in all countries. Liberia is in favor of clamping down drugs, and wants the UN to support them with money and aid to deal with this problem. Liberia is currently voting with all the policies which grant the decreasing of drugs and drug trafficking in the country. Liberia is agreeing on stopping all the drug possessions in the country. Liberia accepts all the aids rehabilitation centers.
Resolution
Delegation: The republic of Liberia
Delegate: Sara Abu Saleh
Question of: Measures to ensure the rights of minority within a country
Defining minorities in the country: The lesser part or smaller number, less than half. A group within a country,
Affirms the poor nations should be supported by all different countries to stop and rescue those dying due to their harsh lives from crisis and economical problems,
Believes: That the minorities in the world are suffering from diseases, starvation and lack of shelter should get aid from international donors and the UN in particular to stop the enormous number of deaths and evidence supporting that is that the AIDS disease has killed Seventeen million Africans over the past 20 years, according to current estimates, more than 25 million are living with the disease today,
Deeply aware: of the past efforts fro the UN and all the fellow organizations such as the IMF/World Bank which helped 32 countries with poor minorities such as Liberia and all the fellow African countries were among that list.
Considers: all the countries that are economically stable should participate in improving the lives of the minorities worldwide,
Regretting that: According to the population of one African country the people who die yearly due to diseases, death mortality is est. 5,000. and the number of deaths is increasing and the population is decreasing due to all the problems in the country and the people who are infected and sick are est. 39, 000,
1. Calls upon: all member states to take more effective measures into stopping the problems of the minorities worldwide,
2. Recommends: all nations to have a minority rights organizations that considers the smallest group in the country and improve the living throughout the nation.
3. Urges: all nations to help in its minorities by providing it with:
a. Building Shelters for the homeless people,
b. Providing medical aid to help cure diseases,
c. Providing a proper environment for children,
d. Making the world a better environment to live in,
e. Providing agencies that aim to provide services to large groups of poor children, especially by putting centers in high-poverty neighborhoods,
4. Further resolved:
a Avoiding the increase of the number of poor, infected minorities and try to decrease it by:
b. Trying to find them work so they can earn money for living.
c. Educating the minorities because lack of education and ignorance can lead to unawareness.
d. Providing strong medical support and food supply so they don’t die from starvation and they don’t increase because of the contagious diseases;
5. Creates: an office that takes and considers all the concerns of the minorities and this office should be in all the communities (HRM: Human Rights of Minorities);
6. Promotes: more supportive environments that removes the lack of the minorities;
7. Encourages Having different activities that involve the minorities throughout the countries so the could learn and remove the lacks they have and so you let them feel that someone cares for them and supports them such as yearly carnivals, Luncheons and sport leagues,
8. Asks the UN to think more about the minorities because the rate of diseases and poverty are increasing quickly. The UN should have a special meeting that discusses that issues of the rights of the minorities and how to improve it. This meeting should be held on yearly bases in all the countries that care about the issues of minorities.
9. Expresses its hopes that all countries present in this event will vote for this resolution on the question of the minorities to make the world a better place fee of diseases, sicknesses, and problems. All the countries especially the United states should act like one soul and combine to solve this problem.
10. Fully believes that all nations will vote for the passing of this resolution.
Opening Speech:
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the land where we hope the sun will rise some time again; a land where peace and democracy is only "theoretical", I introduce you to the land of the freed slaves, Liberia.
LIBERIA doesn’t know how to start her speech, but she know one thing which is that we are all standing here today for one reason which is that we are all looking forward to world peace. Liberia is a land that suffers from many deficiencies economically, politically, and socially. We all call upon you today to aid all those in need. Liberia is amongst those countries. In the past few years these problems have started to become more and more clearer.
We all want to find a settlement to solve this problem. You are seeing these problems with your naked eyes, and of course due to its prevalence it is drawing your attention. Liberia stands here today to wish that all countries co-operate to the above problems.
Liberia's Achievements
The republic of Liberia has participated in the 2002 pearl MUN event help at the BBS School. Liberia took part in the successful the successful lobbying and merging session and merged it’s resolution with Nigeria and South Africa. Liberia was the co-submitter for the issue of minorities. Luckily this resolution passed and many great countries such as the US, Britain and Russia agreed with it. Liberia had no problems and signed all the resolutions that were debated because they all were helpful to Liberia itself and to the whole world. The SC twice called Liberia to discuss the issue about sanctions and the rights and the humanitarian situation in Liberia. When there was an emergency situation about Iraq and Turkey concerning the dams, Liberia tried to solve it and make peace between those two countries. This MUN event was very successful and Liberia had a fun and interesting time and got to learn about and meet new countries.