LIBERIA - ICGL MEETING OF AUGUST 31

UNCLAS MONROVIA 001109

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AF/W AOKEDIJI, DBANKS
INR/AA FOR BGRAVES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KPKO LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA - ICGL MEETING OF AUGUST 31

REF: MONROVIA 1071

1.(U) SUMMARY: The International Contact Group for Liberia
(ICGL) met with representatives of the Liberian legislature
for an update on legislative issues and the bribery
allegations dating back to the early 2007 manuevering to oust
Edwin Snowe from Speaker of the House. The legislators
raised the asset freeze aspect of the Anti-Corruption bill
and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate.
President Pro Tempore Nyenboe, Speaker Tyler, head of the
Senate Judiciary Committee Cherue and Representative Saydee
represented the Legislature. END SUMMARY.

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Legislators on the Defense
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2.(U) The legislators explained that although there had been
little legislation passed so far this year, they plan to work
on approximately 15 bills during the final month of the
extended session (REFTEL).

-- The Anti-Corruption Bill had just been received by the
legislature. Senator Cherue said the asset-freeze section of
this bill would make it difficult to pass because of
constitutional implications, adding that Liberia already has
laws on the books that allow the government to seize assets.

-- The Law Reform Bill has not yet been received by the
Legislature. (NOTE: We understand the draft is in the final
stages of review by the executive, and will be submitted to
the legislature when it reconvenes in January. END NOTE)

-- The Financial Autonomy Bill was vetoed on constitutional
grounds by the President. President Sirleaf advised the
legislature of her reasons beforehand but Senate President
pro Tempore Nyenboe stated the legislature will still press
for establishment a congressional budget office in order to
give advice on the budgets.

3.(U) Regarding allegations that the President bribed members
of the legislature to remove Edwin Snowe as Speaker of the
House in early 2007, Speaker Tyler stated the Judiciary
Committee cannot investigate if people alleging the bribery
do not come forward with the information. The ICGL suggested
that the evidence is in the public record (newspaper
articles) and the Judiciary Committee does not need the
allegations to be repeated in order to investigate. If
necessary, they could issue subpoenas. The ICGL also
suggested that moving forward in a systematic way, e.g.,
adopting a code of conduct, would help reassure the public
that the legislature is serious about accountability.

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Legislators on the Offensive
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4.(U) The legislators expressed their own concerns to the
ICGL:

-- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's ambiguous
mandate was raised as a reason for tepid public support.
They thought the lack of clarity about possible prosecution
was discouraging ex-combatants from testifying before the
TRC.

-- The Governance and Economic Management Assistance Program
(GEMAP) has been a success. They praised GEMAP's
effectiveness in bringing public finances into better order
and urged it be extended to protect progress so far. ICGL
members responded that although the legislature could issue a
non-binding resolution in support of GEMAP, extending its
scope would require funding from donors and agreement from
the executive branch.

5.(U) COMMENT: The tension between the legislative and
executive branches has eased, but could ratchet up when the
debates begin over controversial bills discussed above. END
COMMENT
Booth