Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LONDON4336
2006-06-16 09:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy London
Cable title:
(U) UK AGREES TO TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR IF CONVICTED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLO #4336 1670953 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 160953Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6399 INFO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE 1103 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 0500 RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA IMMEDIATE 0086 RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN IMMEDIATE 0143 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0729
UNCLAS LONDON 004336
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, S/WCI, L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: (U) UK AGREES TO TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR IF CONVICTED
BY SCSL
REF: LONDON 4221
(U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
UNCLAS LONDON 004336
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, S/WCI, L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: (U) UK AGREES TO TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR IF CONVICTED
BY SCSL
REF: LONDON 4221
(U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (U) Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett announced June 15
that, subject to Parliament passing the necessary
legislation, the UK would allow the former President of
Liberia, Charles Taylor, to serve his sentence in the UK
should he be convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone
(SCSL). This decision responds to a request from UNSYG Kofi
Annan. Beckett explained that the decision was driven by two
considerations: Taylor's presence in Sierra Leone remains a
threat to peace in that region, and the UK is "demonstrating
through concrete action" its "commitment to international
justice." Beckett stressed that HMG's decision is without
prejudice to the eventual location or outcome of the trial:
"Taylor's right to a fair trial must be respected." If he
were acquitted, the UK would not be required to admit him; if
he were convicted and subsequently released after serving his
sentence, "the expectation at this stage is that former
President Taylor would leave or face removal from the UK."
2. (SBU) FCO West Africa Section Head Jason Moore told
Poloff this announcement satisfied the Netherlands, which is
now prepared to allow Taylor to be tried before the SCSL
sitting in The Hague. The Dutch had insisted that some third
state agree to allow Taylor to serve his sentence in that
state "if convicted and should circumstances require." Moore
thought the stalled draft UNSCR could be voted on in New York
as early as June 16 and Taylor could be transferred to The
Hague within days.
3. (SBU) Britain does not yet have domestic legislation
authorizing the incarceration of persons convicted abroad by
tribunals not established by the UNSC. Moore said Beckett
had consulted with Leader of the House of Commons Jack Straw
(her predecessor at FCO, who manages the legislative
calendar),and the prospect is that the necessary legislation
will be adopted during the October 2006 - July 2007
parliamentary session. This is ample time, Moore said: the
trial will not start for five or six months, and it will take
a good two years (including the appeal process if Taylor is
convicted).
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm
Tuttle
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, S/WCI, L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: (U) UK AGREES TO TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR IF CONVICTED
BY SCSL
REF: LONDON 4221
(U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (U) Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett announced June 15
that, subject to Parliament passing the necessary
legislation, the UK would allow the former President of
Liberia, Charles Taylor, to serve his sentence in the UK
should he be convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone
(SCSL). This decision responds to a request from UNSYG Kofi
Annan. Beckett explained that the decision was driven by two
considerations: Taylor's presence in Sierra Leone remains a
threat to peace in that region, and the UK is "demonstrating
through concrete action" its "commitment to international
justice." Beckett stressed that HMG's decision is without
prejudice to the eventual location or outcome of the trial:
"Taylor's right to a fair trial must be respected." If he
were acquitted, the UK would not be required to admit him; if
he were convicted and subsequently released after serving his
sentence, "the expectation at this stage is that former
President Taylor would leave or face removal from the UK."
2. (SBU) FCO West Africa Section Head Jason Moore told
Poloff this announcement satisfied the Netherlands, which is
now prepared to allow Taylor to be tried before the SCSL
sitting in The Hague. The Dutch had insisted that some third
state agree to allow Taylor to serve his sentence in that
state "if convicted and should circumstances require." Moore
thought the stalled draft UNSCR could be voted on in New York
as early as June 16 and Taylor could be transferred to The
Hague within days.
3. (SBU) Britain does not yet have domestic legislation
authorizing the incarceration of persons convicted abroad by
tribunals not established by the UNSC. Moore said Beckett
had consulted with Leader of the House of Commons Jack Straw
(her predecessor at FCO, who manages the legislative
calendar),and the prospect is that the necessary legislation
will be adopted during the October 2006 - July 2007
parliamentary session. This is ample time, Moore said: the
trial will not start for five or six months, and it will take
a good two years (including the appeal process if Taylor is
convicted).
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm
Tuttle