Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE73235
2009-07-15 00:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

SIERRA LEONE: TALKING POINTS FOR JULY 16 UNSC

Tags:  UNSC PREL PHUM SL XA XY 
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DE RUEHC #3235 1960050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 150035Z JUL 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN PRIORITY 0000
UNCLAS STATE 073235 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SL XA XY
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: TALKING POINTS FOR JULY 16 UNSC
DEBATE

UNCLAS STATE 073235

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SL XA XY
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: TALKING POINTS FOR JULY 16 UNSC
DEBATE


1. USUN may draw from the talking points in para 3 for the
July 16 UN Security Council private meeting on the Special
Court for Sierra Leone. End action request.


2. Background:
Since 2002, the USG has been the largest financial
contributor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Including
the FY2009 anticipated contribution of $9 million, the USG
will have paid a total of $69.4 million since the SCSL,s
inception. Our FY2010 request to the Congress is $7 million.
The SCSL was created by agreement between the United Nations
(UN) and the Government of Sierra Leone to prosecute persons
who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations
of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law
committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30,

1996. The Court opened in 2002 at the court facility in
Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The SCSL is considered a "hybrid" international criminal
tribunal. It was not imposed on Sierra Leone by the
international community but instead created through a
partnership between the UN and the Sierra Leonean government.
It is primarily located in Sierra Leone, and staffed by a mix
of international and Sierra Leonean personnel. The Court,s
jurisdiction includes both international and Sierra Leonean
law. Outreach efforts to involve the people of Sierra Leone
in the Court,s work have been a priority since the Court,s
inception.


3. Begin points:

-- The United States would like to thank the President of the
Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL),Justice Renate Winter,
and the Prosecutor, Stephen Rapp, for briefing the Security
Council on their assessments on the work of the Court, and
for the achievements of the Court to date. Their briefings
today come at a critical juncture in the Court,s work. As
the Special Court completes the final phase of its mandate,
the focus will soon shift to resolving outstanding questions
concerning SCSL residual issues. The successful completion of
the Court,s work and the establishment of a viable and
successful residual mechanism remains a top priority for the
United States.

-- The United States was instrumental in the establishment of
the SCSL and has been the largest financial supporter of the
Court. To date, the United States has contributed over $60
million to the Court since its inception in 2002. The United
States welcomes the broad financial support that the SCSL has
enjoyed in the past. The United States encourages all
Governments to support the SCSL, ensuring that justice will
be served, that impunity will not be tolerated and that
achievements of accountability, peace, and security for
Sierra Leone and for the region can be sustained into the
future.

-- The Special Court has achieved great success in bringing
to justice those who were most responsible for the serious
violations of international humanitarian and Sierra Leonean
law committed in Sierra Leone. This year saw the successful
conviction and sentencing of the accused in the Revolutionary
United Front case. And this week the whole world is
watching, as Charles Taylor begins to present his defense in
The Hague. The Charles Taylor case sends a message to all
that even heads of State will be held accountable for their
violations of international humanitarian law.

-- The Government of Sierra Leone has been a strong and
committed partner in the work of the Special Court, and we
look forward to seeing that process and partnership through
to a timely completion. The expected end of the Court,s work
in 2011 will effectively close this chapter in Sierra Leonean
history, the international community will shift its focus to
supporting Sierra Leone's ongoing, long-term social and
economic development. Until this time, however, continued
efforts must be made to effect the Court,s closing and
fulfill its mandate to buttress Sierra Leone,s peace and
stability.

-- The United States has been happy to serve on the SCSL
Management Committee, and we commend the work of the Canadian
chair. We also would like to thank the SCSL staff for its
help in evaluating options for a residual mechanism and
applaud its efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiency in
the Court,s operations. The United States remains committed
to an efficient, cost-effective, and successful residual
mechanism.

-- We again thank the President, Prosecutor, Acting
Registrar, and their staffs, for their work to fulfill the
Special Court,s mandate. The Court has made an important
contribution to the long-term peace and security in Sierra
Leone and it has broken new ground in the field of
International Criminal Law. The Special Court for Sierra
Leone has created a powerful legacy in the fight against
impunity and brought justice to the people of Sierra Leone.

End points.
CLINTON