UN OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES FIELD

UNCLAS STATE 040757

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO AORC APER UNGA
SUBJECT: UN OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES FIELD
INVESTIGATORS

REF: USUN/IO E-MAILS OF 2/29/08 AND PREVIOUS


1. (U) This is an action request (paragraph 5). As USUN is
aware, Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) visited the Democratic
Republic of Congo in January. During that visit he learned
that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) had
decided to move field investigators from UN peacekeeping
missions in Africa to regional hubs. OIOS investigators
assigned to the UN peacekeeping operation in Congo (MONUC)'s
office in Goma told him that they believed that this decision
would hamper their ongoing efforts to deter and investigate
allegations of misconduct, in particular allegations of
sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by UN peacekeepers. Mr.
Smith was a principal author of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act, and has a continuing interest in this issue.
USUN followed up with OIOS which reported that, given a
shortage of investigators and the difficulties of traveling
between countries in Africa, they had determined that it
would be faster and more efficient to deploy investigators
from regional hubs. OIOS did not agree that assignment of
investigators to missions has a significant deterrent effect,
stating that there is little regular interaction between
mission personnel and investigators except in the course of a
specific investigation.


2. (U) During the House Foreign Affairs Committee's April 2
hearing on UN peacekeeping operations, Mr. Smith again raised
his concerns with IO Assistant Secretary Silverberg.
Specifically, he stressed that he was particularly concerned
about the effects of the withdrawal of investigators from
Goma, given the persistence of allegations that MONUC
personnel were committing abuses. In addition, he reported
that OIOS investigators had stated that MONUC troops and
commanders did not take the UN zero tolerance policy
seriously. Mr. Smith also asked for additional information
on pre-deployment training on SEA and disciplinary action
taken against offenders, across the board. He commented that
his conversations with the AU as well as with troop
contributors and trainers has led him to believe that,
although intentions may be good, training is in fact
insufficient and there is very little disciplinary follow-up
by troop contributors when allegations of misconduct are
substantiated.


3. (U) Assistant Secretary Silverberg told Mr. Smith that she
thought that, in some cases, regional hubs could be effective
in making the best use of scarce staff and budget. In
addition, however, she agreed emphatically with Mr. Smith
that there were particular reasons for concern with respect
to MONUC and that we would continue to press the UN to
reconsider its approach on the issue. Ms. Silverberg also
stressed the Department's continuing efforts to press for
substantive training and disciplinary actions by troop
contributors for their national contingents.


4. (SBU) During his April 16 visit to the Department of
State, SRSG for the DRC Alan Doss (protect) reported to
IO/PSC Director Wake that he told the Secretariat he was very
opposed to the removal of the OIOS investigators, calling the
decision "appalling." He said he had made this statement
publicly; the Department has not yet found a reference.


5. USUN is requested to again underline to OIOS the U.S.
view that in addition to placing investigators in regional UN
hubs, it continues to be necessary to "embed" them in UN
operations where there have been repeated reports of sexual
exploitation and abuse by UN personnel. If all OIOS
investigators are based in regional hubs, this could
significantly delay investigation of reports of SEA and
impede or prevent the timely collection of forensic evidence.
In particular, we believe that assignment of field
investigators to MONUC is essential. You should reiterate
our view that the UN Secretariat and individual
troop-contributing countries should enhance training, and
underline that we regret that we continue to hear reports
that field commanders are not taking the "zero tolerance"
policy seriously.
RICE