LIBERIA: 2008 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000430 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W AND EEB/IFD/OIA E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EINV ECON KIDE LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: 2008 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS REF: STATE 43784 ¶1. (SBU) The United States Government is aware of one claim of United States persons that may be outstanding against the Government of Liberia (GOL; under the National Transitional Government of Liberia - NTGL). a. Claimant A b. 2004 c. In late 2003 and spring 2004, a locally incorporated company owned by U.S. investors (AmLib Minerals and GeoServices Inc.) reported that fighters from the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) raided the company's premises on Bushrod Island in Monrovia and made away with equipment and other valuables said to be worth USD 350,000. The local resident Liberian national General Manager of the company told the Embassy at the time that he had written several letters of complaint to the then LURD Chairman Sekou Damate Conneh and personally met with other LURD executives regarding the matter but so far had received no redress. The General Manager of the company also informed Embassy officers that a brother of Chairman Sekou Conneh was driving one of the company's stolen Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) in and around Monrovia. The General Manager further reported that other LURD rebels looted a company station in the town of Kokoya, located some distance inland in Bong County. He did not attempt to put a precise dollar value on the level of damages incurred in Kokoya but said that it is similar to the level of losses sustained by the firm at their offices on Bushrod Island in Monrovia (USD 350,000). The General Manager added that rebels from the group Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) looted company properties in the town of Sand Beach, Rivercess County. Again, complaints were filed in writing with MODEL authorities. At the same time, the General Manager indicated he would approach the then National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL). Post is not aware of the outcome of those discussions, or if they occurred. A democratically elected Government of Liberia headed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated on January 16, 2006. The Embassy has no new information regarding the case; Claimant A has not been in contact with the Embassy since 2004. ¶2. List of Claimants: Claimant A: AmLib Minerals and Geoservices, Incorporated U.S. Citizens No Privacy Act Waiver BOOTH