UNSC 4/14/08 CONSULTATIONS ON LIBERIA: GUIDANCE

UNCLAS STATE 037244 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO LI SUBJECT: UNSC 4/14/08 CONSULTATIONS ON LIBERIA: GUIDANCE ¶1. (U) USUN may draw from the points from para 2 below during consultations on Liberia scheduled for April 14. ¶2. (U) Begin points: -- I would like to thank Ambassador Loj for her briefing, the first time she has addressed the Council since she took up her post in Monrovia in January. We welcome the peacebuilding perspective she brings to the assignment, as Liberia continues its steady progress from the conflict of a few brief years ago. -- As noted in the report, President Bush visited Monrovia in February, underscoring the long-standing and close ties between our two countries. -- We note with great satisfaction the significant steps forward that Liberia is taking to get its economic house in order. The international financial institutions are recognizing this substantial progress in capturing revenues and rebuilding infrastructure. We recognize that there is much more to be done. We encourage President Johnson Sirleaf and the Liberian people to continue their fight against corruption, which is a major obstacle in the path to economic security. -- The United States is proud to be one of Liberia's principal partners in a wide range of programs to address poverty, good governance and the security sector. -- We underscore the importance of making steady but measured progress in drawing down UNMIL's strength, ensuring that the most vulnerable areas continue to be covered during the draw-down. As noted in the most recent report of the Secretary-General, that gradual reduction in strength is SIPDIS rightly being calibrated against Liberia's ability to provide its own security. -- We note that the security situation has improved, but remains of considerable concern. Although the government, with the able support of UNMIL, is making strides in extending government services throughout the country, they are still very sparse. -- We welcome the continuing support from UNMIL troops and police to the fledgling Liberian National Police. There have been a number of disturbing episodes involving attacks on police stations, and it is clear that there is much more work to be done to help the LNP develop to the point where it has the capacity to manage incidents on its own. We urge all Liberians to refrain from such acts of mob violence, and allow the police and judiciary to do their jobs. -- The United States is fully engaged in helping Liberia build its armed forces, and we are increasingly involved in the police sector as well. We applaud the hard work and dedication of all involved. RICE