SPECIAL COURT FUNDING ISSUES REACHES GOSL EARS

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000094

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER/ESPRUILL); S/WCI (BDOHERTY)
USUN NEW YORK (MSIMONOFF)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019
TAGS: PREL KAWC SL
SUBJECT: SPECIAL COURT FUNDING ISSUES REACHES GOSL EARS

REF: MONROVIA 188

Classified By: Ambassasdor June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura on
March 16 to discuss a variety of pending bilateral issues.
Bangura closed the conversation by stating that she had
received a letter from the Special Court for Sierra Leone
(SCSL),informing her of a budgetary shortfall of USD 6
million for court expenses for March through May. The FoMin,
with the Attorney General and Chief Justice, will meet with
the Court's registrar on March 17 to discuss fundraising
options. Bangura expressed some frustration that the
government is being called upon to assist with fundraising,
saying that they are not adequately informed of the Court's
budget and activities (Note: It is likely that the Court does
provide information to the government, but that this
information does not necessarily reach Bangura. The Ministry
of Justice is the Court's primary government interlocutor.
End note). Bangura promised to keep Ambassador apprised of
any actions undertaken subsequent to the March 17 meeting.


2. (C) Bangura also expressed frustration with comments made
by Special Court Prosecutor Stephen Rapp regarding Court
funding and the impact a shortfall will have on the Charles
Taylor trial (reftel). She said that giving hope to
pro-Taylor factions, particularly those believing in his
alleged "mystic" powers, could destabilize not only Liberia,
but also the sub-region. Ambassador informed Bangura that
various U.S. missions, including USUN New York, are aware of
the dangers Rapp's comments present, and that the issue will
be addressed with him upon his return to Freetown on or
around March 24.
PERRY