LIBERIA - GUIDANCE FOR JUNE 16 MEETING OF UN

UNCLAS STATE 064266 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA - GUIDANCE FOR JUNE 16 MEETING OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL ¶1. Mission may draw on the following for use in the June 16 Meeting of the UN Security Council on Liberia. ¶2. Begin Text. We thank the Panel of Experts on Liberia Sanctions for their report, which demonstrates their dedication and thorough work on Liberia-related sanctions; the arms embargo, the travel ban and the assets freeze. I would like to make five points. First, Liberia continues its peaceful transition to a democratic order under the administration of President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson. The Government of Liberia has instituted reforms that have allowed for the removal of the international ban on trade in Liberian timber and diamonds, and Liberia is participating in the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to ensure that its natural resources are used to benefit the people and nation of Liberia, rather than to fuel conflict. Second, the work of the Panel of Experts helps Liberia and its international partners make needed reforms which will contribute to Liberia,s stability, good governance and sustainable economic growth. We welcome the Panel,s detailed recommendations, and we will coordinate with Liberia and other partners to help implement those recommendations. We are pleased with the level of cooperation the Panel of Experts has received, internationally and from the Government of Liberia. Third, it is good news that there were no instances of major arms embargo violations. The minor violations that occurred appear to be technical in nature and do not represent serious attempts to bring arms into Liberia. Fourth, while we recognize that Liberia has taken steps to better control its rough diamond trade, the Panel of Experts report indicates there are areas for improvement with respect to the Kimberley process, which need to be addressed seriously. Fifth, while the Panel received good cooperation in its efforts to gather information on the implementation of the asset freeze, it has found indications that the asset freeze is not being implemented in a comprehensive manner, and we urge the Government of Liberia to address this. End Text. RICE