Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK341
2009-03-31 23:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR RICE OFFERS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT SIRLEAF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0341 0902341 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 312341Z MAR 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6237 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA PRIORITY 1390
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000341
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC LI XY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE OFFERS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT SIRLEAF
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UNMIL; WILL PUSH FOR UNSC VISIT
REF: A. USUN 278
B. USUN 297
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000341
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC LI XY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE OFFERS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT SIRLEAF
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UNMIL; WILL PUSH FOR UNSC VISIT
REF: A. USUN 278
B. USUN 297
1. (SBU) On March 31 Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
called to thank Ambassador Rice for her expression of support
for the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) during Security Council
consultations held on March 19 (see refs. A and B).
President Sirleaf volunteered that an exit for UNMIL must
eventually come, but insisted there is still "a lot of work"
to do to get to that point. Ambassador Rice reiterated the
U.S. would not allow a premature withdrawal from Liberia and
was fully prepared to resist any French or UK push for
accelerated troop reductions. Rice also praised President
Sirleaf for her outstanding work and said the U.S. was
completely behind her efforts.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Rice asked whether she should propose
that the Security Council visit Liberia during its upcoming
trip to Africa, noting it had been several years since the
last Council visit. President Sirleaf strongly supported a
visit, saying it would be best for the Council to see the
reality on the ground and to talk directly with her. Rice
said she would argue to include Liberia in any potential
upcoming UNSC trip, which currently includes only stops in
eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region.
Rice
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC LI XY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE OFFERS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT SIRLEAF
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UNMIL; WILL PUSH FOR UNSC VISIT
REF: A. USUN 278
B. USUN 297
1. (SBU) On March 31 Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
called to thank Ambassador Rice for her expression of support
for the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) during Security Council
consultations held on March 19 (see refs. A and B).
President Sirleaf volunteered that an exit for UNMIL must
eventually come, but insisted there is still "a lot of work"
to do to get to that point. Ambassador Rice reiterated the
U.S. would not allow a premature withdrawal from Liberia and
was fully prepared to resist any French or UK push for
accelerated troop reductions. Rice also praised President
Sirleaf for her outstanding work and said the U.S. was
completely behind her efforts.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Rice asked whether she should propose
that the Security Council visit Liberia during its upcoming
trip to Africa, noting it had been several years since the
last Council visit. President Sirleaf strongly supported a
visit, saying it would be best for the Council to see the
reality on the ground and to talk directly with her. Rice
said she would argue to include Liberia in any potential
upcoming UNSC trip, which currently includes only stops in
eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region.
Rice