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