LIBYA/UNSC: 1267, IRAN AND KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000517 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/MAG, INR, T, IO, AND ISN E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/1/2018 TAGS: PREL KNNP PTER PARM PINR UN LY KV IR SUBJECT: LIBYA/UNSC: 1267, IRAN AND KOSOVO REF: (A) STATE 69684, (B) STATE 66897, (C) STATE 69339, (D) STATE 69691 CLASSIFIED BY: Chris Stevens, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, Dept of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The CDA met with the MFA Director of UN Security Council affairs on June 30 to press for Libyan support for improvements to the UNSCR 1267 sanctions regime, call for increased Libyan diligence with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL),and reiterate strong U.S. support for Kosovo's independence. End summary. 1267 SANCTIONS PROCESS ¶2. (C) The CDA briefed MFA Director of UNSC affairs Tajouri al-Shiradi June 30 on U.S. support for a follow-on resolution to UNSCR 1735 designed to extend and improve the mandate of the 1267 sanctions regime against Al-Qaida and the Taliban, and urged Libya to publicly support the resolution (refs A and B). Al-Shiradi expressed satisfaction that the U.S. shared Libya's commitment to a "fair" 1267 sanctions procedure; however, he questioned the utility of releasing any information to the public regarding the basis for listing or de-listing entities. Governments, not/not the public, are best positioned to decide whether an individual or entity deserves to be sanctioned by the 1267 committee, he said. IRISIL AND UNSCR 1803 ¶3. (C) CDA raised U.S. concerns about recent attempts by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) to avoid inspection and interdiction as envisioned by UNSCRs 1737, 1747, and 1803 (ref C). While al-Shiradi was unable to speak to concerns over IRISL directly, he said that Libya, a non-permanent UNSC member that joined with the U.S. to pass UNSCR 1803, was well aware of its international obligations. He said the GOL had recently circulated detailed information about its obligations under UNSCR 1803 to potentially effected Libyan entities, including shipping companies, maritime authorities, and banks. KOSOVO ¶4. (C) CDA reiterated strong U.S. support for Kosovo's independence and repeated calls for Libya to recognize Kosovo's independence and consider participating in a July 11 donors' conference (ref D). Al-Shiradi said that Kosovo remains an issue of great importance to Russia and that there has been no change in Libya's position (which is not/not to recognize Kosovo's independence). As a result, participation in the donors' conference was not currently under consideration. STEVENS