Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07FREETOWN42
2007-01-17 14:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

SIERRA LEONE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

Tags:  ASEC EFIN KCRM KPAO PTER KHLS SL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0272
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0042 0171445
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171445Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0689
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS FREETOWN 000042 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/CT - RHONDA SHORE, NCTC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC EFIN KCRM KPAO PTER KHLS SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

REF: A) STATE 175925

------------------
GENERAL ASSESSMENT
------------------

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000042

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/CT - RHONDA SHORE, NCTC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC EFIN KCRM KPAO PTER KHLS SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

REF: A) STATE 175925

--------------
GENERAL ASSESSMENT
--------------


1. Sierra Leone is not a state sponsor of terrorism. During
the reporting year, there were no judicial cases involving
terror suspects. There were no developments that would
impact U.S. counterterrorism efforts.


2. There was no significant support for international
terrorism or for specific terrorist umbrella groups. There
were allegations that members of the Lebanese business
community in Sierra Leone, many of whom are diamond traders,
were sympathetic to and made financial contributions to
Hizballah.


3. Sierra Leone maintained relations with countries listed
as state sponsors of terror and hosts an Iranian diplomatic
mission.

--------------
SAFE HAVEN ASSESSMENT
--------------


4. Sierra Leone is not a haven for terror organizations.
There was no known government support for terrorism or terror
groups. Sierra Leone's armed forces focused on border
control, as potential unrest in neighboring countries
remained a threat. The government did not detect any radical
Islamic activities.


5. Sierra Leone did not provide weapons of mass destruction
and established a National Authority for the implementation
of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The National
Authority was functional but with certain limitations due to
logistical constraints. The Authority has submitted a
project proposal to the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to boost capacity. The Authority
also submitted its initial declarations and is currently
working on the draft of its national legislation.

--------------
INFORMATION ON TERRORIST GROUPS
--------------


6. There were no identified terrorist groups or
organizations in Sierra Leone, however, there were alleged
sympathizers of well-known terror groups. Post provided the
government and the Bank of Sierra Leone with information on
terror financing. The Bank of Sierra Leone has established a
financial investigations unit, but it lacked the capacity to
effectively monitor financial transactions.

--------------
INFORMATION ON FOREIGN GOVERNMENT COOPERATION
--------------


7. Financial constraints, corruption, and insufficient
capacity continue to hinder Sierra Leone's CT and law
enforcement capabilities. Sierra Leone supports USG CT
efforts and has signed six of 12 UN Conventions on Terrorism.

---
POC
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8. Embassy POCs are RSO Bryan Scruggs (scruggsB@state.gov;
Cellular 232 76 616 619) and PolEconOff Marty Dale
(daleMA@state.gov; Cellular 232 76 616 609). Embassy phone
is: 232 22 515 000.
HULL