Effective disarmament ideal for dev't in Liberia - JAK

Accra, Oct.1, GNA- ECOWAS Chairman, President John Agyekum Kufuor has observed that effective disarmament, demobilization and the process of re-integration and reconstruction would provide an enabling environment for the socio-economic development of Liberia.

He said ECOWAS was therefore, looking forward to the successful deployment of the 15,000 UN Peacekeeping force in Liberia, adding, "the deployment would certainly speed up the process of getting war-torn Liberia back on track for development".

This was contained in a statement from the office of Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Press Secretary to President Kufuor issued in Accra on Monday. Mr Agyepong was briefing newsmen in Tokyo, Japan after President Kufuor had held close-door consultations with other African leaders, who attended the just-ended three-day Tokyo International Conference on Africa's Development (TICAD III).

The government of Japan instituted the TICAD Initiative in 1993 to discuss alternative pathways to Africa's development.

This year's Conference focused on support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and Africa-Asia relations.

Mr Agyepong, who is also the Presidential Spokesman said President Kufuor was confident that the conduct of free and fair elections at the appropriate time would enhance the restoration of democratic structures in Liberia.

President Kufuor expressed prospects of a smooth transition and long lasting solution to the crisis in Liberia and the recent problems in Guinea Bissau.