UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS UNSCR 1689 ON LIBERIA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001244

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC UNSC PREL PGOV LI
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS UNSCR 1689 ON LIBERIA



1. On June 20, 2006, the Security Council unanimously adopted
UNSCR 1689, which lifts timber sanctions in Liberia. If the
Liberian Congress fails to pass necessary forestry
legislation within 90 days, resolution 1689 expresses the
Council's determination to reinstate the timber ban. The new
resolution also extends the diamond sanctions for a period of
six months, with a review after four months.


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 rapid progress made by President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf since January 2006, in rebuilding Liberia for the
benefit of all Liberians, with the support of the
international community,

Applauding the actions of President Sirleaf, Nigerian
President Olusegun Obasanjo, and others in the international
community for their roles in transferring Charles Taylor to
the Special Court for Sierra Leone,

Welcoming the Government of Liberia's progress in
implementing the Governance and Economic Management
Assistance Program, designed to ensure prompt implementation
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to expedite the
lifting of the measures imposed by resolution 1521 (2003),

Applauding the Government of Liberia's commitment to
transparent management of the country's forestry resources
for the benefit of Liberians and its reforms in the timber
sector, including promulgating Executive Order No. 1, which
declared all purported forest concessions null and void;
creating a Forest Reform Monitoring Committee (FRMC); placing
an internationally-recruited financial controller in the
Forestry Development Authority, making progress toward
implementing a management contract to ensure transparency in
timber operations; establishing a mechanism for civil society
to monitor the forestry sector; and drafting new forestry
laws and regulations,

Stressing that Liberia's progress in the timber sector is
held back by the absence of appropriate forestry legislation,
and urging speedy adoption of the necessary laws,

Taking note of President Sirleaf's June 10 announcement of a
moratorium on timber exports and new timber concessions
pending the passage by the Liberian legislature of forestry
legislation that respects Executive Order No. 1 of February
2, 2006, and that is consistent with the recommendations of
the FRMC,

Welcoming the Government of Liberia's continuing cooperation
with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and noting
Liberia's progress toward compliance with the Kimberley
Process,

Stressing the continuing importance of the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in improving security throughout
Liberia and helping the new Government establish its
authority throughout the Country, particularly in the diamond
and timber-producing regions, and border areas,

Taking note of the report of the United Nations Panel of
Experts on Liberia dated 7 June 2006 (S/2006/379),

Having reviewed the measures imposed and conditions set out
by paragraphs 6 through 9 of resolution 1521 (2003) and
concluding that insufficient progress has been made towards
meeting those conditions,

Having reviewed the measures imposed and conditions set out
by paragraphs 10 and 11 of resolution 1521 (2003),and
concluding that sufficient progress has been made towards
meeting those conditions,

Underlining its determination to support the Government of
Liberia, and encouraging donors to do likewise,

Determining that the situation in Liberia 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 not to renew the measure in paragraph 10 of
resolution 1521 (2003) that obligates member states to
prevent the import into their territories of all round log

and timber products originating in Liberia;


2. Decides to review the decision in paragraph one (1) after
a period of 90 days and expresses its determination to
reinstate the measures in paragraph 10 of resolution 1521
(2003) unless the Council is informed by that time that the
forestry legislation proposed by the FRMC has been passed;


3. Urges the speedy adoption of the forestry legislation
proposed by the FRMC;


4. Further decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 6
of resolution 1521 (2003) shall be renewed for an additional
six (6) months with a review by the Council after four (4)
months, to allow the Government of Liberia sufficient time to
establish an effective Certificate of Origin regime for trade
in Liberian rough diamonds that is transparent and
internationally verifiable, with a view to joining the
Kimberley Process, and calls upon the Government of Liberia
to provide the Sanctions Committee, established according to
paragraph 21 of resolution 1521 (2003),with a detailed
description of the proposed regime;


5. Requests that the Secretary-General renew for an
additional six (6) months the mandate of the Panel of Experts
re-established according to paragraph 9 of resolution 1647
(2005),and requests that the Panel of Experts report to the
Council through the Committee no later than December 15 its
observations and recommendations;


6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

ENT TEXT.
BOLTON