SIERRA LEONE - HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR VEHICLE

UNCLAS STATE 008233 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PHUM SL SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE - HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE REF: FREETOWN 12 ¶1. The Department of State has reviewed its files and finds that it possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Forward Reconnaissance Unit, Joint Forces Command, or its Commander, LTC Al-Hassan Bangura, who will be participating in vehicle maintenance and driver training in February 2010. ¶2. Commander Name: Al-Hassan BANGURA Rank: LTC DOB: 8-8-1964 POB: Moyamba Town, Sierra Leone ¶3. Unit Forward Reconnaissance Unit Joint Forces Command Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces ¶4. POC is LtCol Leslie Bryant, USAF Defense Attache or Thomas Bednar, Defense Liaison Officer, Defense Attache Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone. ¶5. Embassy Freetown has reviewed its files and found no information concerning gross human rights violations or criminal activity by the individuals. Embassy is reminded that it must maintain a record of its vetting results for the following sections: Political, Regional Security and Consular. Records should be maintained in the Political Section. ¶6. Embassy Freetown is authorized to report this information to the appropriate officials in the following language: "Embassy reports that, as of this date, the Department of State has no credible information regarding gross abuse of human rights on the part of the named individuals." ¶7. If at any time Embassy becomes aware of any information regarding incidents that could be deemed to be credible information of gross violation of human rights by any personnel involved in this training, Embassy should so inform the Department and not proceed with the training. CLINTON