UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS UNSCR 1683 ON LIBERIA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001196

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC UNSC PREL PGOV LI
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS UNSCR 1683 ON LIBERIA


1. On June 13, 2006, the Security Council unanimously adopted
UNSCR 1683, which amends the arms embargo in Liberia. The
new resolution allows the Government of Liberia to procure a
limited number of weapons for vetted and trained security
personnel.


2. BEGIN TEXT:

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its
President on the situation in Liberia and West Africa,

Welcoming the leadership of newly elected President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf and her efforts to restore peace, security
and harmony throughout Liberia,

Underscoring the continuing need for the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to support the Government of
Liberia in building a stable environment that will allow
democracy to flourish,

Recognizing the need for newly vetted and trained Liberian
security forces to assume greater responsibility for national
security, including policing, intelligence gathering, and
executive protection,

Determining that, despite significant progress having been
made in Liberia, the situation there continues to constitute
a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations,


1. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 2 (a) and
(b) of resolution 1521 (2003) shall not apply to the weapons
and ammunition already provided to members of the Special
Security Service (SSS) for training purposes pursuant to
advance approval under paragraph 2 (e) by the Committee
established by paragraph 21 of that resolution, and that
those weapons and ammunition may remain in the custody of the
SSS for unencumbered operational use;


2. Further decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 2
(a) and (b) of resolution 1521 (2003) shall not apply to
limited supplies of weapons and ammunition, as approved in
advance on a case-by-case basis by the Committee, intended
for use by members of the Government of Liberia police and
security forces who have been vetted and trained since the
inception of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in
October 2003;


3. Decides that a request made in accordance with paragraph 2
shall be submitted to the Committee by the Government of
Liberia and the exporting state, and, in case of approval,
the Government of Liberia shall subsequently mark the weapons
and ammunition, maintain a registry of them, and formally
notify the Committee that these steps have been taken;


4. Reiterates the importance of UNMIL's continuing assistance
to the Government of Liberia, the Committee established by
paragraph 21 of resolution 1521 (2003) and the Panel of
Experts, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, and
without prejudice to its mandate, including in monitoring the
implementation of the measures in paragraphs 2, 4, 6, and 10
of resolution 1521 (2003),and in this regard requests UNMIL
to inspect inventories of weapons and ammunition obtained in
accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 above to ensure all such
weapons and ammunition are accounted for, to make periodic
reports to the Committee established by paragraph 21 of
resolution 1521 (2003) on its findings;


5. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

END TEXT.
BOLTON