[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 8.11.2006

COM(2006) 680 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1030/2003

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 concerning Liberia implements a ban on the provision of certain services related to arms and military equipment, a ban on the import of round logs and timber products and a ban on the import of rough diamonds, in accordance with Common Positions 2006/31/CFSP and 2006/518/CFSP, and UN Security Council Resolution 1521(2003) and other relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

2. By means of Resolution 1689(2006) of 20 June 2006, the UN Security Council decided, inter alia , to suspend the ban on import of round logs and timber products for a period of ninety days. After this period, the Security Council would decide whether the ban on import of round logs and timber products should be reinstated.

3. The Security Council examined the matter on 20 October 2006 and concluded that there were no grounds to reinstate the ban on import of round logs and timber products.

4. In view of this, the Commission proposes to repeal the provision of Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 giving effect to the ban on import of round logs and timber products from Liberia.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1030/2003

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 60 and 301 thereof,

Having regard to Common Position 2006/31/CFSP of 23 January 2006 renewing the restrictive measures imposed against Liberia[1] and Common Position 2006/518/CFSP of 24 July 2006 modifying and renewing certain restrictive measures imposed against Liberia[2],

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) In order to implement the measures imposed against Liberia by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1521(2003), Common Position 2004/137/CFSP of 10 February 2004 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia[3] provided for the implementation of the measures set out in UNSCR 1521(2003) concerning Liberia, and a ban on the provision to Liberia of financial assistance related to military activities. In line with UN Security Council Resolutions 1647(2005), 1683(2006) and 1689(2006), Common Positions 2006/31/CFSP and 2006/518/CFSP confirmed the restrictive measures of Common Position 2004/137/CFSP for a further period of time and provided for certain modifications.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 234/2004[4] prohibits the provision to Liberia of technical and financial assistance related to military activities, the import of rough diamonds from Liberia and the import of round logs and timber products originating in that country.

(3) On 20 June 2006, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1689(2006). It decided, inter alia , not to renew the prohibition against imports of all round logs and timber products originating in Liberia, which had been imposed by paragraph 10 of UNSCR 1521(2003) and, after several extensions, expired on 20 June 2006. The Security Council expressed its determination to reinstate that prohibition if, within a period of ninety days, Liberia failed to pass the forestry legislation proposed by the Forest Reform Monitoring Committee created by the Government of Liberia.

(4) The Security Council revisited the matter on 20 October 2006 and concluded that Liberia had adopted the necessary forestry legislation. It resolved therefore not to reinstate the prohibition.

(5) Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 234/2004, which prohibits the import into the Community of all round logs and timber products originating in Liberia and was suspended from 23 June 2006 to 18 September 2006, should therefore be repealed with retroactive effect to 19 September 2006,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 234/2004, paragraph 2 is deleted.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

It shall apply from 19 September 2006.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

[1] OJ L 19, 24.1.2006, p. 38.

[2] OJ L 201, 25.7.2006, p. 36.

[3] OJ L 40, 12.2.2004, p. 35. Common Position as amended by Common Position 2004/902/CFSP (OJ L 379, 24.12.2004, p. 113)

[4] OJ L 40, 12.2.2004, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1126/2006 (OJ L 201, 25.7.2006, p. 1).