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