Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MONROVIA241
2009-04-03 08:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:  

LIBERIA: SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PORT SECURITY

Tags:  ECON EWWT EFIS PHSA SENV LI 
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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

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