NO EVIDENCE OF SEA/GTIP MISCONDUCT IN UNDOF/UNTSO

UNCLAS E F T O DAMASCUS 000487 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, IO/PSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO PHUM UNSE SUBJECT: NO EVIDENCE OF SEA/GTIP MISCONDUCT IN UNDOF/UNTSO MISSION REF: STATE 68780 ¶1. (U) This cable is in response to State 68780. ¶2. (SBU) Post contacted sources in the local human rights and NGO communities, in addition to media and DAT contacts regarding the status of SEA/GTIP in the UNDOF/UNTSO mission. Sources had no knowledge of any SEA/GTIP related complaints against UNDOF/UNTSO personnel operating in the Golan. According to DAT, who has traveled extensively through UNDOF/UNTSO theater, local perceptions of UNDOF/UNTSO are positive, and we are unaware of any reports of sexual abuse or trafficking by UN personnel. (Comment: Embassy's frequent contact with UNDOF/UNTSO strongly suggests both organizations excercise effective leadership that expects and enforces high professional standards for all of its staff. End Comment.) ¶3. (SBU) Syria was designated as a tier 3 country in the June 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report due to Syria's standing as both a transit and a destination country for women and children trafficked for commercial exploitation and forced labor. However, Post has no information that the broader problem of SEA/GTIP in Syria is being exacerbated by the UN Peacekeeping mission. CORBIN