USUN INSTRUCTION: LIBERIA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE

UNCLAS STATE 018884 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN LI PREL PTER UNSC SUBJECT: USUN INSTRUCTION: LIBERIA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE OBJECT TO TRAVEL BAN EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR JEWEL TAYLOR REF: S/AC.41/2009/OC.9 ¶1. This is an action request. Prior to the No Objection Deadline of 4:00 PM, 2 March 2009, USUN is requested to object to Liberian Senator Jewel Howard Taylor's travel ban exemption request, as it does not meet the criteria for a travel ban exemption. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. Senator Jewel Howard Taylor is the wife of Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia. Senator Jewel Howard Taylor (DOB: 17 January 1963; Liberian Passports: D/003835-04 and D/00536307) is listed as subject to the measures imposed by paragraph 4 of UN Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia, which include a travel ban and asset freeze. Jewel Taylor was also listed by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) as a Specially Designated National on 23 July 2004. ¶3. Senator Taylor's requested an exemption through the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of the UN Operations in Liberia to allow the Senator to travel to Abuja, Nigeria to receive the African Woman of Distinction Award on 15 March. This request does not meet the criteria for a travel ban exemption. ¶4. Per UN Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003),travel ban waivers are "justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation, or where the Committee concludes that an exemption would otherwise further the objectives of the Council's resolutions, for the creation of peace, stability and democracy in Liberia and lasting peace in the subregion." The U.S. does not consider this proposed travel to meet the resolution's criteria for a waiver. ¶5. Department appreciates Mission's efforts. CLINTON