LIBERIAN GRACE MINOR WANTS OFF THE SANCTIONS LIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000850 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL GH LI SUBJECT: LIBERIAN GRACE MINOR WANTS OFF THE SANCTIONS LIST Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e) ¶1. (U) This is an action message - see para 5. ¶2. (C) On April 12, Ambassador met with former Liberian Senator and alleged former handler of Charles Taylor's investments Grace Minor at her request. Minor said she had come to Ghana four years ago because of an illness that could not be treated in Liberia and has since been living here as a "high class refugee." She sought the Ambassador's help in removing her name from the UN sanctions list to enable her to travel. ¶3. (C) Minor claimed that the UN had removed her name from the sanctions list in August 2006, but for reasons unknown to her had reinstated her name on the list in December 2006. She admitted to working for Charles Taylor's government and to have socialized with him but she said her work was for Liberia and not for him personally. She said she had not been in contact with Taylor since he left Liberia and that, while she had once been a close associate of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the current president now "can't stand me" because of Minor's past association with Taylor. (Note. Minor said both she and Johnson-Sirleaf had worked in the Taylor government. End note.) She claimed she had not been involved in any criminal acts. ¶4. (C) Minor said she has tried to get help from Ghanaian Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo and has been cooperative with information in previous meetings with U.S. Embassy officials in Liberia and Ghana, as well as with the Canadian government. Ambassador promised to pass on her request but said it may be difficult to get off the sanctions list, at least until a verdict is reached on Taylor. If Minor can demonstrate any actions that have been constructive in building peace in Liberia since the departure of Taylor, it might strengthen her appeal to the sanctions committee, the Ambassador added. ¶5. (C) Action requested: Post would appreciate Department's guidance on how to respond to Minor. BRIDGEWATER