RENEWAL OF MANDATE OF UN MISSION IN LIBERIA:

UNCLAS STATE 102941

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR LI
SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF MANDATE OF UN MISSION IN LIBERIA:
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

REF: STATE 95744


1. The Security Council is scheduled to vote on September
29 for a resolution that will renew the mandate of the UN
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL),slightly accelerate the pace
of military drawdown, and add two formed police units (240
officers) to the mission's authorized strength. USUN is
authorized to vote in favor of the resolution. The text
follows in paragraph 2.


2. Begin text of resolution:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and statements by its President
concerning the situation in Liberia and the subregion, in
particular its resolutions 1777 (2007),1750 (2007),1626
(2005),and 1509 (2003),

Welcoming the Secretary-General's report of 15 August 2008
((-S/2008/553)) and taking note of his recommendations,

Further welcoming the continuing efforts of the Government
of Liberia to improve governance and security and combat
corruption, as well as the important measures taken by the
Government to consolidate its control over Liberia's
natural resources and build a stronger economy,

Commending the Government of Liberia for the adoption of
its first national poverty reduction strategy for
2008-2011 and calling on the international community to
collaborate with the Government in implementation of this
strategy,

Noting with appreciation the steps being taken to
facilitate national reconciliation and conflict
management, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund,

Noting the progress made in rebuilding, equipping, and
deploying the Liberian National Police and restructuring
the Armed Forces of Liberia, and in developing a national
security architecture, acknowledging the challenges that
remain, and encouraging the Government of Liberia, in
cooperation with the international community, to expedite
its efforts in these fields,

Further noting the continuing need for support from United
Nations police advisors to the Liberian National Police as
reflected in the report of the Secretary-General,

Expressing its appreciation for the continuing support of
the international community, the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU),

Commending the work of the United Nations Mission in
Liberia (UNMIL),under the leadership of the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General, for its
continuing and significant contribution to maintaining
peace and stability in Liberia, and welcoming the close
cooperation between UNMIL and the United Nations Operation
in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI),as well as with neighboring
Governments, in coordinating security activities in the
border areas in the subregion,

Noting with appreciation the progress made to date in the
reintegration of ex-combatants, welcoming the contribution
being made by the UN Development Program, UNMIL,
international partners, and the National Commission on
Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and
Rehabilitation, and recognizing that there continues to be
a need for formal sector employment,

Recognizing the significant challenges that remain in the
consolidation of Liberia's post-conflict transition,
including consolidation of State authority, massive
development and reconstruction needs, the reform of the
judiciary, extension of the rule of law throughout the
country, and the further development of the Liberian
security
forces and security architecture, in particular the
Liberian National Police, and noting that crimes of
corruption and violence, in particular with regard to
exploitation of Liberia's natural resources, threaten
to undermine progress towards those ends,

Welcoming the progress achieved on the broad benchmarks
laid out in the Secretary-General's report of 12 September
2006 and core benchmarks presented in the
Secretary-General's reports of 9 August 2007 and 19 March
2008, welcoming UNMIL's continuing efforts to promote and
protect, in cooperation with the Government of Liberia,
the rights of civilians, in particular children and women,
calling on Liberian authorities to continue to cooperate
with the United Nations country team and civil society, in
order to achieve further progress in these areas and in
particular to combat violence against children and women,
including gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and
abuse, and recalling its resolutions 1674 (2006) and 1612
(2005),as well as resolutions 1325(2000) and 1820 (2008)
on women, peace and security,

Reiterating the continuing need for UNMIL's support for
the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone,

Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to
constitute a threat to international peace and security in
the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations,


1. Decides that the mandate of the United Nations Mission
in Liberia (UNMIL) shall be extended until 30 September
2009;


2. Reaffirms its intention to authorize the
Secretary-General to redeploy troops, as may be needed,
between UNMIL and UNOCI on a temporary basis in accordance
with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005);


3. Endorses the Secretary-General's recommendation for a
reduction of an additional 1,460 personnel deployed as part
of UNMIL's military component and for the streamlining of
the current four sectors into two, during the period
October 2008 to March 2009;


4. Further endorses, with immediate effect, the
Secretary-General's recommendation for an increase of 240
in the authorized number of personnel deployed as part of
UNMIL's police component in order to provide strategic
advice and expertise in specialized fields, provide
operational support to regular policing activities and
react to urgent security incidents, as well as his plans
for internal adjustments in the composition of the police
component within the overall ceiling, including an increase
in the number of formed police units;


5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor
progress on the core benchmarks detailed in paragraph 66 of
his report of 8 August 2007 (S/2007/479) and in his report
of 19 March 2008 (S/2008/183),and any subsequent
refinements of the benchmarks that may be recommended by
the Secretary-General or his Special Representative, to
report on that progress to the Security Council by 15
February 2009 and, in view of the extent of that progress,
to recommend to the Security Council no later than 15
February 2009 any further adjustments to UNMIL's military
and police components as appropriate, and to include in
his report, in consultation with the Government of
Liberia, long-range scenarios for a phased drawdown and
withdrawal of UNMIL's troop contingent, as the situation
permits and without compromising the security of Liberia;


6. Further requests the Secretary-General, in
consultation with the Government of Liberia, to develop
further detailed benchmarks to measure and track progress
towards the achievement of security in Liberia, and in
that context to include in his 15 February 2009 report and
in subsequent reports thereafter a comprehensive
assessment both of the progress made towards building the
capacity of the Liberian National Police and of the
contribution of UNMIL towards that goal, and to make
recommendations on possible adjustments needed to UNMIL
police training or concept of operations as appropriate;


7. Expresses its intention to review by 31 March 2009 the
Secretary-General's recommendations described in paragraph
5 above;


8. Further requests the Secretary-General to provide by
15 August 2009 a report covering progress made on the
issues addressed in paragraphs 5 and 6 during the period
February 2009-August 2009;


9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.


End text of resolution.
RICE