The_Open_Door_deel1

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(4) integrate Firestone's enclave economy into the national
economy;
(5) stimulate the "Liberianization" of (a) services and supplies,
(b) staff and other
r j. personnel;
(6) encourage the participation in the creation of viable
communities;
(7) modernize and "up-date" the agreement.
The first official notice informing the company of the Government's
desire to review the almost fifty year old Planting Agreement was
sent in early 1974 (after the expiration of the income tax provision
of the 1965 Supplementary Agreement). The unbelievable arrogance
which Firestone showed by the generally negative reaction
to the Government's proposals (see Annex 8, "Summary Table of
Renegotiations of the 1926 Planting Agreement with Firestone
1974 - 1975 - 1976", column 4) found its climax in a list of
demands put forward (85), and which provoked the rage of the
Minister of Finance, Stephen Tolbert:
(1) All income tax paid by Firestone under protest, together with
all interest due, should be returned to Firestone prior to
the effective date of any amendments to the Agreement.
(2) Prior to the effective date of any amendments, the Government
of Liberia should pay to Firestone all amounts owed on prior
price support loans to local growers.
(3) Any amendments to the Agreement should be effective as from
the date ratified by the Legislature, provided, however, that
all such amendments covering income taxes or other similar
payments should be applicable to the Plantation Company's
first tax year commencing after such ratification.
(4) The Agreement should be amended to assure Firestone freedom of
exchange and to provide for remittance from Liberia of
dividends, retained earnings, distributions of capital and
proceeds from the sale of assets.
(5) The Agreement should provide for the extension of the lease
term through the granting of additional options to Firestone.
(6) The Agreement should be amended to provide that the
Government of Liberia will bear the cost of maintaining all
roads in the plantation area that are used as public highways.
(7) The Government of Liberia should take over the full cost of
providing the buildings and other facilities for all persons
on the plantation performing governmental services, including
soldiers, customs officials, post office employees and others.
(8) All matters incidental to the cost and administration of the
school and medical facilities on the plantation should be
reviewed, and the Government of Liberia's appropriate role in
these operations discussed.
Although it was not stated outright in Mr. Derr's letter it left
little room for doubt that the Government of Liberia's legitimate
request for the renegotiation of an almost fifty years' old