SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS LIBERIA DIAMOND SANCTIONS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC UNSC PREL PGOV LI
SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS LIBERIA DIAMOND SANCTIONS

REF: STATE 55727


1. On April 27, the Security Council unanimously adopted
UNSCR 1753 (text in para 4),which terminated diamond
sanctions in Liberia. The Security Council concluded that
Liberia had met the criteria set out in resolution 1521
(2003) to create a transparent and internationally verifiable
certificate of origin scheme for the trade in rough diamonds.


2. COMMENT: The termination of the diamond ban in Liberia is
a sanctions success story. Since the imposition of the ban
in 2003, the Security Council, together with the Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme and other international actors,
successfully stopped Liberian "blood diamonds" from fueling
conflict in West Africa. The Security Council used the
possibility of lifting the sanctions as a powerful incentive
to press Liberia to make necessary reforms.


3. COMMENT CONTINUED: The sanctions helped to guide Liberia
as it charted its way through the rough waters of democratic
transition and rebuilding after years of civil war. Although
Liberia faced many competing priorities over the past four
years, Security Council sanctions helped the Liberian
leadership to focus on critical restructuring needs designed
ultimately to benefit the Liberian people. The UN Panel of
Experts told the Liberia Sanctions Committee that Liberia not
only implemented the much-needed reforms, but the government
had taken true ownership and responsibility for the diamond
certification scheme - a development that we hope bodes well
for Liberia's future. END COMMENT.


4. BEGIN TEXT:

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its
President on the situation in Liberia and West Africa,

Applauding the Government of Liberia's continuing cooperation
with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and noting
Liberia's progress towards putting in place the necessary
internal controls and other requirements in order to satisfy
the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process,

Taking note of the letter of the Government of Liberia to the
Sanctions Committee, with a detailed description of the
proposed Certificate of Origin regime, dated 4 April 2007,

Welcoming the interim report of the UN Panel of Experts dated
4 April 2007 and looking forward to the submission by 6 June
2007 of the UN Panel of Experts final report as requested in
paragraph 4(d) of resolution 1731 (2006),

Having reviewed the measures imposed and conditions set out
by paragraphs 6 through 9 of resolution 1521 (2003) and
concluding that sufficient progress has been made towards
meeting those conditions,

Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to
constitute a threat to international peace and security in
the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,


1. Decides to terminate the measures on diamonds imposed by
paragraph 6 of resolution 1521 (2003) and renewed by
paragraph 1 of resolution 1731 (2006);


2. Encourages the Kimberley Process to report in ninety (90)
days to the Council, through the Committee established
pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003),on Liberia's application
to the Kimberley Process and calls on the Government of
Liberia to carry out the recommendations of the expert
mission identified for the period following admission to the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme;


3. Decides to review the termination of the measures in
paragraph 6 of resolution 1521 (2003) after consideration of
the report of the UN Panel of Experts as requested in
paragraph 4(d) of resolution 1731 (2006) and of the report of
the Kimberley Process encouraged in paragraph two (2),with
particular focus on the compliance of Liberia with the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme;


4. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

END TEXT.
KHALILZAD