UN/LIBERIA SANCTIONS: SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 001190 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2017 TAGS: PREL ETTC UNSC PGOV LI SUBJECT: UN/LIBERIA SANCTIONS: SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS LIBERIA SANCTIONS REF: A. KONZET-SHRENI EMAIL-12-10-07 ¶B. STATE 166394 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JACKIE WOLCOTT, FOR REASONS: 1.4(B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Per resolution 1731 (2006),the UN Security Council reviewed Liberia sanctions during a closed meeting on December 14. Qatari PermRep and Chairman of the Liberia Sanctions Committee Nassir al-Nasser delivered a summary of Committee discussions and the views of the Liberia Panel of Experts (ref email),which monitors sanctions implementation. The sanctions in Liberia consist of an arms embargo and an international travel ban and assets freeze on individuals associated with former president Charles Taylor or undermining stability in Liberia or the region. ¶2. (C) USUN applauded the progress in the security and political situation in Liberia and stated that the arms embargo and targeted sanctions would continue to play a vital role in supporting Liberia's security infrastructure. China also commended Liberia for its progress under President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, but sounded a note of concern at the rising tide of crime that could undermine Liberia's future development. China further called on Liberia to continue to strengthen its cooperation with the UN, and stressed the importance of Liberia's full implementation of all of the sanctions measures. (Note: Liberia has not passed legislation permitting it to domestically freeze the assets of those individuals designated by the Council pursuant to resolution 1532 (2004). End note.) ¶3. (C) South Africa added that the Liberia case demonstrated that sanctions were not an end in themselves, and advocated continued review of the travel ban and assets freeze as the situation continued to improve. Italy stated that the success of the Liberia sanctions regime was an example of what the Council could achieve when it &shouldered its burdens in a flexible and responsible way,8 adding that the gradual reduction of sanctions had strengthened the credibility of the Council. Khalilzad