The_Open_Door_deel1

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information thus obtained. These rights of inspection and of
access were applicable both inside and outside the republic. The
.facts that the WAAC is financed from a variety of sources, and
that the major shareholders (not the majority) are Liberians
reduces the actual significance of this stipulation as far as
related to access to facilities outside Liberia. However, in case
the financial structure of the company were to change drastically,
or if it were to be bought by a foreign investor, it would become
more important.
The Government also included Its right to make use of the
company's facilities, particularly transportation and
communication services. From the detailed description of this
right it can be concluded that at the time the Government hoped
that a railroad would be built in this neglected part of the
country. In that year, 1967, Robertsport, the county's capital,
was still not linked by road to Monrovia or any other place in the
republic. The railroad, however, never materialized (and not until
the Administration of President Tolbert did the Government
complete a road linking Robertsport with Monrovia (58).
The WAAC was in the concession agreement given the right to
provide transportation services within its Exploration Area for
the general public though this right was not exclusive and could
only be exercised after obtaining approval of the Government. The
right to cut timber within the concession area was restricted to
construction purposes but using timber as fuel was allowed
provided the Government's consent had been obtained. Harvesting of
timber within the concession area on a commercial basis was also
allowed though these operations would be governed by the laws of
general application concerning timber concessions.
The free use of water, stones, rocks, and other materials found in
a radius of 3 miles from the concessionaire's exploitation lots or
from the Accessory Works established by it, the right to construct
communication, transportation, power, and other facilities, and
the right of occupation of the surface and easement, are all of
them rights similar to those to previous investors and warrant the
same comments. However, there is no reason to repeat what was said
before. The WAAC, however, agreed to pay the rate of 8 cents per
acre per annum for the use of public lands outside the Exploration
Area and the exploitation lots.
Contrary to the agreement with the LIBINC, for instance, the
Government would become entitled to the WAAC's assets which the
company would not have sold at the time of expiration of the
agreement in case no renewal would have been made (there is an
option of extension of the concession after its expiration In
2017). The violation of a provision of the agreement and the
failure to correct this violation within 6 months after the
Government had pointed out the violation in writing would give the
latter the right to cancel the agreement though in some specified
cases this right could be applied without notice (59).
The transfer of the concession to other companies or investors was
in general allowed but, contrary to the agreements with LIBINC and
other concessionaires, it was expressly stipulated that foreign
governments could not be admitted or accepted as partners in, or