Ambassador Rice on Vote on U.N. Resolution on Nation

United States Department of State (Washington, DC)

13 May 2011

press release

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, After the Adoption of Resolution 1981, May 13, 2011

The United States will support the resolution that is before us, but we’d like to highlight an important point: the aviation assets on loan to the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire will be returned to the UN Mission in Liberia no later than June 30, pursuant to this resolution to avoid destabilizing Liberia. We applaud the efforts of UNMIL’s peacekeepers to continue to fulfill their duties despite having fewer assets, a sacrifice they generously made which we all deemed necessary to assist UNOCI in a time of need.

Now, as Cote d’Ivoire emerges from its crisis, we must not lose focus on Liberia. As Liberia enters its electoral season, with a referendum in August and a presidential election this fall, UNMIL must be fully equipped. We, as a Council, decided UNMIL required specific assets to fulfill its mandate – and we must honor our commitment to ensure it has the tools on hand to do its job.

The United States has promised to support clear, credible, and achievable mandates that are fully resourced and equipped. We must not jeopardize Liberia’s fragile peace, even as we continue to work to consolidate the progress that we’ve seen of late in Cote d’Ivoire. This will be the last extension of the loan of UNMIL’s assets that the United States will support, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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