RUSSIA: LIBERIA PARTNERS' FORUM

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000126 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS, EB/IFD/ODF, AF/W TREASURY FOR BAKER/GAERTNER NSC FOR TRACY MCKIBBEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL RS LI XY SUBJECT: RUSSIA: LIBERIA PARTNERS' FORUM REF: (06) STATE 201818 ¶1. (SBU) This message is sensitive but unclassified and not for internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) Emboffs delivered reftel points to the Foreign Ministry's Africa Department Director Igor Labuzov. He said that a Russian delegation would likely attend the Liberian Partners' Forum in Washington, DC, next month, but did not yet know the composition of the delegation. He speculated that officials in the Russian Federation's UN delegation, who developed Russia's position on the December 2006 sanctions resolution, would participate in the Forum. ¶3. (SBU) Labuzov said the GOR recognized the need for large-scale and long-term economic assistance to Liberia but was not able to provide information on the GOR's plans. He will provide assistance and delegation information as the Russian participation efforts take shape. He expressed hope that the Forum would present an opportunity to discuss the development, security, and stability challenges common to other countries in the southern sub-region of Western Africa, such as Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. RUSSELL