Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FREETOWN345
2008-07-18 15:26:00
SECRET
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

SIERRA LEONE: DRUGS AND THUGS - TAKE THEM OFF OUR

Tags:  PREL CASC SNAR MASS SL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1103
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0345/01 2001526
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 181526Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2050
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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

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