SIERRA LEONE: DRUGS AND THUGS - TAKE THEM OFF OUR

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000345 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2018 TAGS: PREL CASC SNAR MASS SL SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: DRUGS AND THUGS - TAKE THEM OFF OUR HANDS REF: FREETOWN 343 Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons: 1.4 b/d ¶1. (S) Summary: On July 17, the Ambassador responded to a late night (7/16) meeting request by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance regarding the July 13 drug seizure case. The Ambassador also wanted to raise the visitation issue again and have it confirmed for midday July ¶18. She impressed upon the GoSL the importance the USG attaches to compliance with the Consular Convention. In particular, the GoSL had failed to authorize the initial visit by a consular officer of a detained American citizen throughout much of the week. Minister of Finance David Carew also attended the meeting. There was discussion about the recent cocaine seizure, accompanied by both Ministers requesting USG assistance, along with a tentative proposal to provide the USG with all information acquired in the investigation and urging the USG to take possession of the prisoners for prosecution in the U.S. FoMin Bangura also raised a visa case involving fraud committed by an official assigned as Information Officer to the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission of the UN. Finally, possible U.S. military assistance with training and equipment was reviewed with the Ministers. The Ambassador was accompanied by the chief of the consular section and the Defense Attache. End Summary. ¶2. (S) The Ambassador strongly urged the GoSL to act quickly on the request that the consular officer visit an American who had been detained since July 13. To allay possible concerns about the nature of the visit, the Ambassador explained that the consular officer (conoff) needed to verify the identity/citizenship of the person and determine that he was in good health. The GoSL should consider this a health and welfare visit. Comment: We had gotten word unofficially that the GoSL was concerned about the prospect that the conoff was going to interview the person with respect to the cocaine smuggling operation mentioned in reftel. End Comment. ¶3. (S) Bangura acknowledged that the situation had almost "overwhelmed" the government and questioned whether the legal system could adequately accommodate the situation. She promised that human rights of the detainees were not being violated and later confirmed Conoff's visit time for July 18. FoMin stressed the importance of the cocaine case and that the GoSL continued to obtain names of those involved in the international drug smuggling operation. She also expressed the concern that, if the conoff got access to the prisoner, lawyers would demand access as well. The Ambassador interjected that she must insist on the prison visit by conoff and confirm the identity of this person. Bangura advised that some prisoners have two or three passports. The Ambassador explained that the conoff was an experienced officer, who had done hundreds of these visits and it would be a very simple matter. However, the important thing was for the GoSL to authorize the visit by July 18. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of resolving this issue quickly in order to ensure that it does not complicate future bilateral relations. Carew interjected that the GoSL wanted to avoid "contamination" of the case under investigation; they understood what they were dealing with. Although there are bigger issues at stake than the prison visit, they would "try to put all in balance." Carew said he would review entire case with the President. Bangura committed to pinning down the visit time with the Attorney General and she later reconfirmed the time in conversation with the Ambassador on July 18. ¶4. (S) Discussion of the cocaine case followed. Bangura said 60 people had been detained of whom 11 were foreigners. Carew stated that information gathered from the interrogation may be more useful to the U.S. than to Sierra Leone (SL). The country has always supported U.S. efforts to thwart terrorism and drug trafficking, but SL has never had the opportunity that exists now to directly assist the U.S. in its anti-narcotics efforts. They also want to hand over information they are gathering to the U.S. because they lack the capacity to go after the "big" people who are behind the operation. The Ambassador said she could request an immediate visit by the regional DEA attache, to assess available information for the purpose of determining what may be possible once we had a firm request from the GoSL. Carew said, "We want you to get these people to prosecute them." Bangura underscored that they want the U.S. to take these people "off their hands." Conoff suggested they might also want to look at prosecution by a Western European country as the cocaine probably was destined for that area, not the U.S. As part of this proposed cooperation, Carew indicated that the GoSL would like for the U.S. to provide assistance with capacity building to enable the country to deal with such FREETOWN 00000345 002 OF 002 cases in future. ¶5. (S) Bangura stated the GoSL and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces were committed to peacekeeping (PKO) with the United Nations and Africa Union. However, Sierra Leone is a poor country and, while supporting the military's desires to PKO participation, lacked the resources for equipping the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The U.S. Defense Attache (DATT) went on to tell Bangura that equipping the RSLAF would be difficult since there is no dedicated budget to equipping of host nation militaries for peacekeeping. She highlighted that Sierra Leone might become a priority country for equipping if the RSLAF volunteered for a peacekeeping mission in Somalia or developed specialty units such as a logistics or medical unit. She suggested the RSLAF be considered for entry into the Africa Contingency Operations Technical Assistance (ACOTA) program and explained entry and selection procedures. The DATT told Bangura that, while she appreciated that the United Kingdom led International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT) to Sierra Leone had trained at least five companies for peacekeeping purposes, she seriously doubted the capacity of the Sierra Leone military to continue training future peacekeepers. Entry into the ACOTA could assist with both their training and equipping needs. The Ambassador responded that the Embassy would follow up on the GoSL's request for assistance with equipping of peacekeepers. Bangura finally raised our dip note concerning fraudulent visa applications and said she did not want Sierra Leone's reputation sullied, especially after the recall of her nation's former ambassador to Washington. Therefore, she wanted to encourage denials of suspect applicants who did not conform to U.S. consular/visa regulations. ¶6. (S) Comment: Bangura and Carew had requested U.S. Ambassador meet with them concerning handling of the drug smuggling ring. We wanted to reinforce the significant nature of the consular visit as our primary focus and make sure the GoSL fully understood the importance of this visit to our bilateral relationship. As reported reftel, our July 17 meeting underscored the "flummoxed" state of the GoSL. Normal procedures appear to have added to their overall sense of powerlessness. After a fulsome discussion of consular, narcotics and military issues, we believe we made some progress in deepening the key ministers' understanding. If and when we receive the full request for assistance with this case, Embassy is prepared to seek appropriate USG support. End Comment PERRY