LIBERIA: SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PORT SECURITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONROVIA 000241 COGARD FOR IPSLO ACTIVITIES EUROPE ADAM SHAW SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EWWT EFIS PHSA SENV LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PORT SECURITY DEMONSTRATE GOL'S COMMITMENT TO PORT SECTOR REFORM REF: A) MONROVIA 135, B) MONROVIA 70, C) 08 MONROVIA 249, D) 07 MONROVIA 627 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) International Port Security (IPS) Program country visit team reported March 27 that they will recommend that Liberia be found in compliance with the minimum International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code standards, at which time restrictions on ships coming from Monrovia would be lifted. In anticipation of the USCG visit, Liberian port and maritime officials carried out a comprehensive, albeit last minute, overhaul of security measures at the Port of Monrovia in an effort to secure ISPS Code compliance that would remove Liberia from the U.S. Coast Guard's Port Security Advisory. The USCG team congratulated Liberian authorities for clear improvements in implementation at the national and port level, but noted that sustained and strong oversight would be necessary for the program to succeed. The USCG suggested they would maintain a close partnership with Liberia at this crucial stage, with visits every six months, and requested assistance from post to monitor security measures at the port in the interim. Although still a provisional finding, the accomplishment is a signal of Liberia's will and ability to make the efforts necessary to meet international standards in security and commerce, and demonstrate credibility within the international community. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) During a March 23-27 official assessment visit, the USCG team acknowledged "monumental" efforts by Liberian port and maritime authorities to meet the minimum standards of the ISPS code, thanks in large part to direction at the national level by the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA),which was appointed as the Designated Authority for ISPS in October, 2008. New BMA Commissioner Binyah Kesselly oversaw the effort, assisted by newly appointed Port Facility Security Officer, Emmett Hill, and an IMO/ISPS consultant on loan to the BMA from the Liberia International Shipping and Corporate Registry (LISCR). (Note: The BMA, through LISCR, also monitors ISPS compliance aboard Liberian-flagged vessels and conducts flag-state inspections aboard all Liberian-flagged ships to verify ISPS Code compliance. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) Over the last few months, the BMA-led group worked frantically with the National Port Authority (NPA) and the Liberian Seaport Police (LSP) to implement substantial improvements in many areas previously identified by the USCG for action: reinforcing perimeter fencing and lighting, upgrading identification requirements and access checks, training roughly half (94 out of 187) of current LSP officers on ISPS code, and finalizing a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) in February. The BMA then officially reviewed and adopted the PFSP March 6 and conducted required table-top and port level exercises March 17-18. The BMA also plans to sign a two-year contract with an outside firm for quarterly security audits and annual training to ensure implementation of ISPS code is robust. ¶4. (SBU) The USCG team commended Liberian officials for their achievements but cautioned that Liberia's new port security institutions had no history of performance on which to judge sustainability. They noted that continued enforcement at the port level and oversight at the national level would be necessary to ensure the program's success. They also emphasized that while the development of the program was driven by the personalities and determination of a handful of individuals, the sustainability of the program required an institution for continuity in security. The team was concerned about national-level implementation and oversight issues including continued jurisdictional confusion between the LSP and Liberia National Police, and the potential for further confusion with the new Liberian Coast Guard regarding port access and waterside security. (Note: At a National Security Council meeting March 25, attended by Ambassador, the BMA asserted its role as Designated Authority for port security and the President said she was committed to BMA finishing the job. But the ensuing discussion made clear that the potential for turf incidents involving other security services remains. End note). ¶5. (SBU) The focus on ISPS compliance for the commercial port of Monrovia has obscured other issues that will soon test the Designated Authority (DA) and reinforce the need for strong, capable national oversight. First, although it serves as the only international lifeline for fuel imports to Liberia, the oil jetty at MONROVIA 00000241 002 OF 002 the Port of Monrovia is not part of the PFSP approved by the DA. The USCG noted that the jetty facility must also be brought into ISPS compliance and the BMA said they would have a plan in place by July, 2009. Second, the port of Buchanan, 60 miles southeast of Monrovia, is already exporting timber and should be held to ISPS standards. The USCG paid an informal visit and observed significant security deficiencies and the BMA noted it was planning a Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) for Buchanan in August, 2009. Third, now that Monrovia has met minimum ISPS standards, the USCG will eventually have to relinquish its role as the DA for the separate ISPS-compliant facility maintained by Firestone. Firestone officials are anxious that a strong national level DA be secure before the USCG hands over its certification role. ¶6. (SBU) Overall, the USCG stressed the need for constant monitoring and continued engagement by the USG. The USCG will recommend sending a liaison officer back within six months for an informal visit and a full team within one year for a formal assessment. They also invited relevant Liberian officials to visit U.S. ports in order to learn more about ISPS. Meanwhile, the USCG requested that the BMA and the Embassy monitor port security developments in order to establish a record of performance. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Over time, Liberia's compliance with the ISPS Code will help lower insurance costs for ships passing through Monrovia and would facilitate direct shipping routes between Liberia and the United States. But in the short term, removal from the PSA "blacklist" will be a notable boost to national pride and an important benchmark for Liberia's evolution from post-conflict to developing country. (The USCG's March 27 exit brief with maritime officials was already a visible boost to the confidence and momentum of those individuals fighting for change at the port.) ¶8. (SBU) Control of the port was a key spoil-of-war during and immediately after Liberia's civil conflict. Although the United Nations took over responsibility for securing the perimeter of the port in 2003, security inside the port remained grossly inadequate. Employment at the port - especially in security - was often a lucrative enterprise for dishonest insiders. As recently as 2007, security was so lax that thieves stole an entire ship from the pier (ref D). Reforming port security (along with port finance and operations) has been a constant source of frustration for the GOL, and a focus of support from the USG. In this context, the substantial improvements in port security and the GOL's determination and methodical progress towards awarding a management contract for the port (ref A) both confirm the GOL's commitment and ability to credibly meet international standards. ¶9. (U) This cable was cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Liaison Officer. THOMAS-GREENFIELD