UN SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS LIBERIA SANCTIONS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002032

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC UNSC PREL PGOV LI
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS LIBERIA SANCTIONS

REF: STATE 173923


1. The UN Security Council, per resolution 1689, reviewed
Liberia sanctions during a closed meeting October 20. Danish
PermRep Ellen Loj (Chairman of the Liberia Sanctions
Committee) delivered a summary of committee discussions and
the views of the Panel of Experts, which monitors sanctions
implementation (remarks emailed to IO/PSC and AF/W). All
Council members applauded the passage of important forestry
legislation called for in resolution 1689, and urged the
Liberian government to implement the new law to ensure
transparency and accountability in the timber sector.


2. Council members also agreed that although Liberia had made
progress reforming the diamond sector, it had not yet met the
criteria for lifting of the diamond sanctions. The Ghanaian
PermRep pointed out that mining continues despite the
moratorium, and all Council members stressed the need for
effective internal controls in the rough diamond trade.
Ambassador Bolton noted that the United States provides both
financial and technical assistance to help Liberia implement
diamond sector reforms. He said the U.S. hopes the Security
Council can lift diamond sanctions as soon as possible so
that revenues from the sector can benefit the Liberian
people. At the conclusion of the consultations, the Security
Council agreed to issue a press statement (see paragraph
three.) The Security Council will review again the diamond
ban in December 2006.


3. BEGIN TEXT OF PRESS STATEMENT.

Members of the Security Council today heard a briefing by
Ambassador Ellen Loj, Chairman of the Sanctions Committee
established by UNSC resolution 1521, and in this connection
conducted the reviews called for in resolution 1689 of the
Council's decision not to renew the ban on import of all
round logs and timber products from Liberia and its decision
to renew the ban on imports of rough diamonds from Liberia
until December 20 2006.

Members of the Security Council commended the Liberian
Legislature for passing legislation, within the 90-day
deadline set by resolution 1689, that will ensure a
transparent, accountable and government-controlled forestry
sector. This important forestry legislation will ensure that
revenues from the timber industry will not again fuel
conflict. The members acknowledged that the law was signed
by President Johnson-Sirleaf on 5 October 2006 and urged the
Government of Liberia to bring the law into effect by
publishing the required handbills as soon as possible.

Members of the Security Council concluded that there is no
basis for reinstating the measures on timber as otherwise
stipulated in resolution 1689. They applauded the
development of forestry sector reforms by the Government of
Liberia and its international partners in the Liberia Forest
Initiative, and called on Liberian authorities to ensure the
effective implementation of these reforms and enforcement of
the new legislation.

Members of the Security Council were encouraged by the steps
Liberia has taken towards meeting the requirements for the
lifting of the measures on diamonds. At the same time, they
acknowledged the interim findings of the Panel of Experts
that more needs to be done for Liberia to establish a
Certificate of Origin Regime for export of Liberian rough
diamonds.

Members of the Security Council urged the Liberian Government
to accelerate the implementation of the necessary reform
measures, including stronger management and effective
verification and accountability mechanisms, so that Liberia
can soon join the Kimberley Process. Concluding, the members
expressed their wish to lift the ban on diamonds as soon as
possible, so that revenues from the diamond sector can
benefit the Liberian people.

Members of the Security Council commended the Panel of
Experts on Liberia for their work and look forward to
receiving their final report in December.

END TEXT.
BOLTON