THIS, TOO, IS LIBERIA: FEBRUARY 11, 2010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONROVIA 000182

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ECON EFIN EMIN LI
SUBJECT: THIS, TOO, IS LIBERIA: FEBRUARY 11, 2010


1. (U) This round-up cable, named after a popular daily feature in
a local newspaper, covers the following topics:

-- INDIAN MINISTER INJURED IN CAR ACCIDENT

-- PROPOSED MONEY LAUNDERING LAW EXCLUDES LIBERIA ANTI-CORRUPTION
COMMISSION

-- LNP PRIORITIZES ASSISTANCE REQUESTS

-- LOCAL CHIEFS PROMOTE ANTI-MALARIA CAMPAIGN

-- OVERHAUL NEEDED FOR NATIONAL DRUG SUPPLY

-- PRINTING PROBLEM WITH OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS RESOLVED




2. (SBU) INDIAN MINISTER INJURED IN CAR ACCIDENT: Indian Minister
of Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Indian Ambassador Shamna Jain
were seriously injured on February 3 when their vehicle was struck
by a taxi on the road to the airport. The Indian officials were
taken to JFK Hospital and later evacuated by UNMIL to Cote
d'Ivoire. The Minister was visiting Liberia to discuss future
development projects. The Liberia National Police and UNPOL are
investigating the incident.


3. (SBU) PROPOSED MONEY LAUNDERING LAW EXCLUDES LIBERIA
ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION: The draft "Prevention of Money
Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act, 2009" does not recognize
the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) as a competent
authority entitled to obtain financial information from reporting
entities or the Financial Investigation Unit. The bill does,
however, list agencies that are expected to be abolished. The 2008
law enacting LACC gives it the authority to investigate and
prosecute corruption crimes, and to freeze and confiscate assets
within the boundaries of Liberian law. LACC recently obtained its
first indictment in Republic of Liberia v. Albert Bropleh, the
former Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority. One
of the greatest challenges facing LACC is its ability to obtain
financial evidence against corrupt officials, which would be aided
if LACC is included in the new Money Laundering Act. Enforcement
Commissioner Counselor. M. Osman Kanneh plans to address LACC's
absence from the draft law with officials at the Ministry of
Justice. LACC was also recently excluded from another piece of
anti-corruption legislation, the Whistleblower Executive Order.


4. (U) LNP PRIORITIZES ASSISTANCE REQUESTS: Liberia National
Police (LNP) Director Marc Amblard briefed donors February 5 on his
six priorities for assistance to the police: Rebuild the Police
Support Unit and expand it to 600; build a national communications
network; develop police investigative capacity; improve police
mobility; develop Information Technology (including a Local Area
Network); and improve professional standards. Amblard gave several
examples of measures taken to improve LNP performance, including a
more rational allocation of fuel and institution of more foot
patrols.


5. (U) LOCAL CHIEFS PROMOTE ANTI-MALARIA CAMPAIGN: Traditional
chiefs in all of Liberia's 15 counties are promoting the use of
mosquito nets through dance, song, and speeches, thanks to a small
grant from USAID. On February 4, hundreds of people attended a
special event in Tienne (Grand Cape Mount County) organized by
traditional chiefs. Speakers and singers urged people to sleep
under nets, and to seek prompt treatment for fever. Free mosquito
nets have been distributed to 65 percent of the country since 2006,
and by the end of 2010 will be distributed to 90 percent or more of
households. A recent media survey conducted in three counties by
USAID's major health partner, JSI, showed that 52 percent of people
had nets (lower than expected),but over 80 percent of the women
with children slept under a net the previous night (better than
expected). Also, about 70 percent of survey respondents (women with
a child) had seen a malaria message in the past month.


6. (U) OVERHAUL NEEDED FOR NATIONAL DRUG SUPPLY: A team of
warehouse experts from the Supply Chain Management Services (SCMS)
reviewed the drug situation in Liberia and recommended a complete
overhaul. Their report highlights successful reorganizations in
five other African countries, and the use of economical, innovative
pre-engineered solutions to achieve rapid results. SCMS returns in
May to assist the Ministry of Health with the development of a
comprehensive Master Plan for Drug Supply, and to enlist donor and
GOL buy-in on funding this Master Plan.


7. (U) PRINTING PROBLEM WITH OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS RESOLVED: Director
of Vital Certificates Solo Barton from the Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare (MOHSW) told Conoff that they have resumed regular
issuance of birth certificates. On January 1, 2010 the Ministry

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began a lengthy transition to a new certificate template and an
in-house printing system. Consequently, the Ministry is now
working through a one-month backlog of applications and expects to
be current by the end of February. Director Barton also told
Conoff that MOHSW has not yet completed the transition for death
certificates so no death certificates have been issued in 2010. He
offered no timetable for the resumption of death certificate
issuance. In the meantime, letters will be issued by the Ministry
for those needing immediate temporary certification.
THOMAS-GREENFIELD