Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FREETOWN62
2008-02-15 13:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

SCSL MEETINGS: NEW HOPE FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS

Tags:  PGOV PREL KAWC KJUS UNSC SL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9515
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0062/01 0461318
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 151318Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1709
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0273
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000062 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/WCI WILLIAMSON/GOREY, AF/W OKEDIJI
USUN NEW YORK FOR HILLMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KAWC KJUS UNSC SL
SUBJECT: SCSL MEETINGS: NEW HOPE FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS

REF: FREETOWN 42

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000062

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/WCI WILLIAMSON/GOREY, AF/W OKEDIJI
USUN NEW YORK FOR HILLMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KAWC KJUS UNSC SL
SUBJECT: SCSL MEETINGS: NEW HOPE FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS

REF: FREETOWN 42

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Poloff met with Honorable
Justice George Galaga King, President of the Special Court of
Sierra Leone (SCSL),and with Herman von Hebel and Binta
Mansaray, Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the SCSL,
respectively, on separate occasioQon February 7. While the
SCSL representatives, focused on providing further
assurances that the leaders at the Court are aware of
concerns regarding efficiency and internal communications
breakdowns, they also provided a valuable opportunity for
Ambassador to reiterate the message that the USG is committed
to supporting the work of the Court, but that in making that
good faith pledge, the Court has an obligation to the U.S.
and other donors in terms of accountability and efficiency.
END SUMMARY


2. (C) Ambassador Perry received the President, Registrar,
and Deputy Registrar for separate courtesy visits on February

7. Justice King expressed gratitude for the USG contribution
to the SCSL, and his hopes that donor fatigue will not
prevent their important work from its completion. Ambassador
assured Justice King that the U.S. has no interest in ending
support prematurely, but did state the she looks forward to
working with the Government of Sierra Leone and its people on
addressing economic and social issues outside the Court. The
good work of the Special Court, in Ambassador,s view, could
be a stepping-stone to increased interest in the country, and
it will be important to capitalize on that interest to focus
on issues that impact the short-term and long-term
development of the country. Justice King, a Sierra Leonean,
was receptive to this discussion, and indicated that he will
be vocal with his many government contacts about supporting
opportunities and initiatives that will help Sierra Leone
grow beyond its fragile state.


3. (C) While speaking in relatively limited terms on the

workings of the Court, Justice King did acknowledge the
delays that have beset their work due to case-related issues.
He outlined the completion strategy, and his expectation that
it will be met barring all contingencies. He also announced
his intention to step-down from his role as President in May,
2008, when his two-year term ends. He stated his feeling that
others should have a turn, and identified Renate Winter of
Austria as his likely replacement (Note: Other contacts
within the Court expressed their belief that, counter to his
words, King will run again for the Presidency. End note.).


4. (C) Following the meeting with Justice King, Ambassador
received Registrar von Hebel and Deputy Registrar Mansaray.
The Registrar spoke frankly regarding the internal tensions
between the Office of the President and the Registry, but
identified that steps have been taken to open the lines of
communication between these offices both formally and
informally. While communication, or lack thereof, has been a
noted concern for the Court, von Hebel mentioned that such
problems paled in comparison to issues he faced while serving
at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia.


5. (C) Ambassador expressed her concern about the amount of
time spent traveling by key members of the Court for the
purpose of fundraising. While all recognize the need for
further fundraising, Ambassador suggested that it might
impinge on the efficient workings of the SCSL. The Registrar
indicated that fundraising trips have resulted in some recent
gains, and that he understands that there is an appearance
that such trips are distractions from the operations of the
Court. With regard to the completion strategy, von Hebel does
hope that they will be able to adhere to the planned
timeline, but does not want to be too optimistic at this
stage. He expressed some concerns that the RUF case will not
stay on-schedule, particularly as this Chamber is not
considered an example of the most efficient in the SCSL. The
Taylor trial started efficiently, but it remains to be seen
if this momentum can be maintained. The Registrar hopes that
the SCSL will end its activities quickly, because he fears
that its legitimacy with the people will erode if the
proceedings continue at a slow pace.


6. (C) The Registrar mentioned the latest budget sent to the
Management Committee, which he was pleased was less than $100
million. While he considered keeping the budget under this
amount as an achievement, he did note that the budget is
quite tight and that further delays in the Taylor trial could
present serious setbacks financially. Ambassador reminded von
Hebel and Mansaray that, while Congress is extremely

FREETOWN 00000062 002 OF 002


supportive, the budget climate in Washington is currently
difficult. She asked for discretion in terms of publicizing
the support given by the USG. Ambassador also reiterated the
intention to use limited funding to support other endeavors
in Sierra Leone once the SCSL draws to a close, which all
agreed have equal importance to the SCSL. The Registrar
mentioned that funding for specific projects at the Court has
been provided by the Rockefeller, MacArthur, and Oak
Foundations, and Ambassador applauded their inclusion in
supporting the work of the SCSL.


7. (C) COMMENT: Lip service has been paid in all recent
meetings with Special Court representatives to
following-through on the completion strategy and using the
dollars provided by donors in the most efficient way possible
(see reftel). At this stage, however, it is hard to assess
whether or not concrete action will be taken to ensure that
this lip service becomes reality. While von Hebel and his
office seem sincere in their interest to move the proceedings
along expeditiously, Chambers has not missed opportunities to
remind stakeholders that the justice process can be a slow
one. The tension between administrative and justice issues,
despite some corrective action already taken, could continue
to plague the Court depending on how willing the Chief
Justices are to crack the whip and the state of the
relationship between Chambers and the Registry. The possible
change of personnel at the Presidential level could provide
new hope in the future for improvements with regards to the
latter. The Management Committee meeting will provide further
opportunities to remind all of the need for communication
between the branches of the SCSL, and that the Special Court
process, while highly important, was always envisioned as
finite. END COMMENT.
PERRY