LIBERIA TO SOFTEN ITS VOTING PRACTICES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONROVIA 000963 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018 TAGS: UNGA PREL MNUC PARM IAEA PA LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA TO SOFTEN ITS VOTING PRACTICES ON RESOLUTIONS WITH ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS AND WILL SUPPORT RESOLUTION ON COMPLIANCE REF: A. STATE 123081 ¶B. STATE 123493 ¶C. MONROVIA 914 (NOTAL) ¶D. MONROVIA 896 (NOTAL) Classified By: Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield for Reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The GOL will likely change some or all of its "yes" votes on resolutions with anti-Israel bias to "abstain" or be absent. It will support the resolution on compliance on nonproliferation, arms limitation, disarmament in the plenary (Japan lobbied heavily for Liberia's vote in the First Committee). Incoming Liberian PermRep Conmany Wesseh's departure has been delayed again at least until December 3, and he is mulling over running for a vacant Senate seat. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Pol/Econ Chief delivered Ref A demarche to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Conmany Wesseh November 25, noting that Liberia voted "yes" on the key vote on Resolution 62/80 in ¶2007. Ambassador Wesseh said that the GOL is reviewing its position on the anti-Israel votes and will "abstain in more cases" than in the past. He said that Liberia's relations with Israel have been good since President Sirleaf's visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in November 2007 and "Liberia considers Israel its friend." That said, it is unlikely that Liberia will vote "no" on any of the resolutions. ¶3. (SBU) In response to Ref B demarche, Ambassador Wesseh said that Liberia will support the resolution on compliance in the plenary as it had in the First Committee, noting that "the Japanese harassed us sufficiently" to lock in their vote in the committee. ¶4. (SBU) Pol/Econ Chief took the opportunity of the meeting to thank Ambassador Wesseh for Liberia's voting with the United States on both the motion to adjourn debate on the resolution in the Third Committee on human rights in Iran and on the resolution itself. ¶5. (C) On a personal note, Ambassador Wesseh said that his departure to New York to take up as his position as PermRep has been delayed again until at least December 3. He said that he is finalizing the mission's budgetary issues, and since there has been no replacement named for him, he has continued to work full-time at his present position at the MFA. He hopes to arrive before the closing of the UNGA December 15. He also remarked that a senatorial seat in his home county if River Gee has just opened up with the death of a Senator (Ref C),a seat he ran for and lost in 2005 by just 130 votes. He has been mulling over running in the upcoming by-election, and even discussed the possibility with President Sirleaf, but he has not decided what to do. He quickly pointed out, however, that his delay in departing had nothing to do with a possible Senate run. ¶6. (C) Comment: It appears that our efforts to have Liberia improve its voting coincidence with the U.S. on key UNGA votes (Ref D) is having some effect. In her next meeting with President Sirleaf, Ambassador will again express appreciation for the Iran vote and push again for a change in Liberia's voting record on resolutions with an anti-Israel bias. That Ambassador Wesseh would raise the possibility to us of running for Senator means that he is seriously considering the option. THOMAS-GREENFIELD