LIBERIA SANCTIONS: SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000537

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETTC UNSC PGOV LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA SANCTIONS: SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS
MANDATE OF THE PANEL OF EXPERTS

REF: STATE 65303


1. On June 18, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted
U.S.-drafted UNSC resolution 1819 (see text in para 2),which
extends the mandate of the Liberia Panel of Experts for six
months.


2. BEGIN RESOLUTION:

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its
President on the situation in Liberia and West Africa,

Welcoming the sustained progress made by the Government of
Liberia since January 2006, in rebuilding Liberia for the
benefit of all Liberians, with the support of the
international community,

Recalling its decision not to renew the measures in paragraph
10 of resolution 1521 (2003) regarding round log and timber
products originating in Liberia, and stressing that Liberia's
progress in the timber sector must continue with the
effective implementation and enforcement of the National
Forestry Reform Law signed into law on 5 October 2006,
including the resolution of land and tenure rights, the
conservation and protection of biodiversity, and the process
for the awarding of contracts for commercial forestry
operations,

Recalling its decision to terminate the measures in paragraph
6 of resolution 1521 (2003) regarding diamonds,

Welcoming the Government of Liberia's participation in the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, noting Liberia's
implementation of the necessary internal controls and other
recommendations of the Kimberley Process, and calling on the
Government of Liberia to continue to work diligently to
ensure the effectiveness of these controls,

Stressing the continuing importance of the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in improving security through
Liberia and helping the Government establish its authority
throughout the country, particularly in the diamond and
timber-producing regions, and border areas,

Urging all parties to support the Government of Liberia in
identifying and implementing measures that will ensure
progress towards meeting the conditions set out by paragraph
5 of resolution 1521 (2003),

Welcoming the recent report of the United Nations Panel of
Experts on Liberia, including on the issues of diamonds,
timber, targeted sanctions, and arms and security,

Determining that, despite significant progress having been
made in Liberia, the situation there 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. Requests that Secretary-General renew the mandate of the
Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to paragraph 1 of
resolution 1760 (2007) for a further period until 20 December
2008, and requests that the Panel of Experts report to the
Council through the Committee established by paragraph 21 of
resolution 1521 (2003) ("the Committee") by 1 December 2008
on all issues listed in paragraph 5 of resolution 1792
(2007),and to provide informal updates to the Committee as
appropriate before that date;


2. Requests the Secretary-General to reappoint the Panel of
Experts and to make the necessary financial and security
arrangements to support the work of the Panel;


3. Calls upon all States and the Government of Liberia to
cooperate fully with the Panel of Experts in all the aspects
of its mandate;


4. Encourages the Government of Liberia to implement the
recommendations of the most recent Kimberley Process review
and work closely with Kimberley Process to continue to
strengthen Liberian controls on rough diamond trade;


5. Encourages the Kimberley Process to inform, as
appropriate, the Security Council through it Committee about

USUN NEW Y 00000537 002 OF 002


its assessment of progress made by the Liberian Government in
implementing the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme;


6. Reiterates the importance of UNMIL's continuing
assistance to the Government of Liberia, the Committee, and
the Panel of Experts, within its capabilities and areas of
deployment, and without prejudice to its mandate, including
in monitoring the implementation of the measures in
paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 1521 (2003),and in this
regard recalls its request that UNMIL inspect inventories of
weapons and ammunition obtained in accordance with paragraphs
1 and 2 of resolution 1683 (2006) to ensure all such weapons
and ammunition are accounted for, and to make periodic
reports to the Committee on its findings;


7. Reiterates its request to the United Nations Mission in
Cote d'Ivoire, within its capabilities and areas of
deployment, and without prejudice to its mandate, to assist
the Committee and the Panel of Experts by passing to the
Committee and the Panel any information relevant to the
implementation of the measures in paragraphs 2 and 4 of
resolution 1521 (2003) in the context of enhanced
coordination among United Nations missions and offices in
West Africa;


8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

END RESOLUTION
Khalilzad