Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANJUL306
2007-06-12 11:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

THE GAMBIA: 2007 TIP REPORT

Tags:  KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG KPAO ELAB GA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJL #0306 1631149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121149Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7579
UNCLAS BANJUL 000306 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG KPAO ELAB GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: 2007 TIP REPORT

REF: STATE 78708

UNCLAS BANJUL 000306

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG KPAO ELAB GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: 2007 TIP REPORT

REF: STATE 78708


1. (SBU) On June 11, Ambassador and Poloff met with Foreign
Affairs Permanent Secretary Bai Ousmane Secka to inform him
of the TIP Report narrative for The Gambia in advance of the
Report's public release June 12. Providing copies of the
narrative, points, and press guidance contained in reftel, we
reviewed the highlights, noting The Gambia's placement on the
Tier 2 Watch List, down from last year's Tier 2 placement.
We outlined the reasons for the Watch List placement and
urged steps by the GOTG to strengthen its response to
trafficking, drawing from reftel to suggest specific steps.
We emphasized that the Embassy would continue to work closely
with the GOTG, Gambian civil society, and others to promote
expanded efforts to combat TIP in this country. In this
regard, we advised the Permsec that Poloff would meet the
following day, June 12, with members of the GOTG's task force
on TIP (report follows via septel).



2. (SBU) Secka expressed thanks for our presentation and
indicated that the TIP Report would receive the GOTG's close
attention. While indicating disappointment at The Gambia's
placement on the Watchlist, he took Ambassador's point that
the placement should not be seen as a punitive measure and
that the GOTG had ample opportunity to improve its
performance on combatting TIP so as to avoid relegation to
Tier 3. We reiterated that, just as the Embassy had worked
extensively with the GOTG in its successful effort last year
to develop anti-TIP initiatives and move from the Watch List
to Tier 2, we would do all we could to be supportive this
time as well. The meeting ended with Permsec Secka giving
assurances of the GOTG's commitment to increasing its
anti-TIP efforts.
STAFFORD