UN MISSION IN LIBERIA: SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS STATE 091709 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO LI SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN LIBERIA: SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS AND OTHER MEETINGS ¶1. (U) The Security Council will meet with countries contributing troops and police (TCCs/PCCs) to the UN Mission in Liberia on September 3. Council consultations are scheduled for September 9. Also on September 9, Liberia has invited UN missions to attend a review of the long-term strategy for the Liberia National Police. The Council will vote on September 15 on a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The resolution will also authorize UNMIL to provide logistical and other key support to the Government of Liberia for the 2011 general presidential and legislative elections, and will specifically endorse phase three of the drawdown plan for UNMIL. Voting authorization will be sent by a separate cable, since the draft resolution is still being discussed by Council experts. USUN may draw as appropriate on the points in paragraph 2 for the September 3 meeting with TCCs/PCCs, the September 9 Security Council consultations and expert discussions, and the September 9 meeting to discuss support for the Liberia National Police. ¶2. (U) Begin points: --The U.S. welcomes this opportunity to reaffirm our close ties with Liberia, and to thank Ambassador Loj and the dedicated peacekeepers of UNMIL for their service and sacrifice. --We endorse the Secretary-General's recommendations that UNMIL support the 2011 Liberian presidential and legislative elections with the essential logistics and transport necessary to move people and elections material around the country, by coordinating international electoral assistance, and by supporting the Liberian political parties in achieving a positive and productive atmosphere before and during the elections. --The successful conduct of these elections will be a key step forward for Liberia. --We welcome the launching of phase III of the drawdown plan for UNMIL. This is a measured, steady approach that will ensure a solid security presence while UNMIL consolidates its deployment. The strong police component of this strategy is appropriate for this stage of Liberia's transition to sustainable peace. --The security situation in Liberia, while generally stable, continues to cause us concern, in particular the continuing pattern of relatively minor disputes escalating into violent and sometimes deadly confrontations. There are challenges throughout the rule of law sector, with the police, judiciary and corrections all vital components in building a just and viable system that ensures that all Liberians are treated fairly and equally. --We note with appreciation the work that UNMIL and the Government of Liberia are doing to address discrimination and violence against women and girls, issues that remain a serious problem. --We thank Council members for their cooperation on the draft resolution currently being negotiated. We hope to adopt it next week. TCCs/PCCs --The U.S. recognizes the invaluable contribution that troop- and police-contributing countries make to Liberia's stability and progress. With 62 countries currently contributing troops, military observers, and police to Liberia, UNMIL represents the truly global nature of UN peacekeeping today. We are proud that American military and police personnel are serving in UNMIL with citizens from all your countries. --There has been a dialogue in recent months about how to improve communication between the Security Council and the TCCs/PCCs, so that your expertise and experience of field conditions can inform the Council's discussions of new and renewed mandates. We scheduled the meeting with TCCs/PCCs a week ahead of the Council's consultations for just that reason. We are interested in your views, and in particular your concerns. --What are the biggest challenges you face in UNMIL? What do you think should be done to address those challenges? Police Assistance: --Secretary Clinton underscored the value the United States places in its relationship with the government and people of Liberia by including a stop in Monrovia in her recent visit to Africa. During her time in Liberia, she met with President Sirleaf and her cabinet, addressed a joint session of the Legislature, and visited the National Police Academy. --We are proud to be one of Liberia's principal partners, with more than $200 million in bilateral assistance in our current fiscal year (FY-2009). In addition, the U.S. has provided more than $240 million since 2003 for rebuilding the Liberian armed forces. The United States will continue to serve as a partner for Liberia's reconstruction and stability in the years ahead. --We will continue to support the development and professionalization of the Liberian armed forces. However, as Liberia continues on its path to sustainable peace and long-term stability, we are increasing our attention to the critical needs of the police and rule of law sector. --It is the police who will determine whether Liberians see their government as offering them security and access to justice. --The United States has invested more than $7 million dollars in developing the 500-member Emergency Response Unit, a specialized armed unit with the LNP. We have also funded training, equipping and mentoring for the Special Security Service, the executive protection service for President Sirleaf and senior public officials. --We have 15 police officers assigned to UNMIL, including four as senior advisors to the Liberian National Police and three as key advisors to the development of the Emergency Response Unit. --The United States was also delighted to support the new Director of the Liberian National Police in taking an academic year in Minnesota studying law enforcement and management, before he took up his position in July. --We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Liberia, with the UN, and with other international partners so that Liberia's security sector has the necessary support. --While not directly the subject of this conference, the United States also believes that Liberia and its partners must support programs focused on the justice sector, rule of law and corrections. In cooperation with the Government of Liberia and other international partners, we are providing training for judges, magistrates and court personnel, as well as technical assistance to the criminal justice system. --The U.S. is assisting in the establishment of a judicial training institute that will provide continuing education for judges and other court personnel. We have also helped to strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and provided advisors to assist police and prosecutors in building prosecutable cases. End points. CLINTON