C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001191

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2012
TAGS: PREL LI NI ECOWAS
SUBJECT: ECOWAS TO ARGUE FOR EASED LIBERIAN SANCTIONS


REF: ABUJA 1185


Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons 1.5 and (d).



1. (C) During April 12 discussions on USG support for ECOWAS
(septel) and plans for the future of peace support programs
for Africa (reftel), ECOWAS Deputy Executive Secretary Chiekh
Diarra told the visiting team that ECOWAS was working hard to
reduce tensions in Liberia. The Secretariat was trying to
establish contact with the LURD to begin the process of
dialogue between the LURD and GOL.



2. (C) Diarra also noted that during the first week of April,
ECOWAS had sent a team to Liberia to assess the impact of
sanctions and GOL compliance. ECOWAS believed that the GOL
was making an effort to comply with the sanctions. ECOWAS
planned to argue for the sanctions regime to be revised and
"eased" at the next UN meeting, Diarra said.
Andrews