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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01ABUJA1048 | OBASANJO ON LIBERIA SANCTIONS, CONTE AND THE RUF [...] (C) President Obasanjo told Ambassador Jeter May 5 that he was increasingly optimistic that the GOSL and the RUF could reach an accommodation. At the conclusion of their visit to Abuja (reftel), the two sides had decided to return to Sierra Leone on the same aircraft. Obasanjo opined that t [...] |
2001-05-09 15:19:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PBTS MASS SL GV NI |
| 01ABUJA1437 | ECOWAS: KOUYATE ASKS ADVICE ON TAYLOR -- ANY GOOD [...] (C) This is an action message; see paragraph 11. 2. (C) Summary. ECOWAS Executive Secretary Kouyate invited Ambassador to his office June 18 to discuss President Taylor of Liberia and the regional response to Taylor's government. Kouyate suggested either an attempt at an "internal dial [...] |
2001-06-22 06:41:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL NI SL LI ECOWAS |
| 01ABUJA1926 | KOUYATE ON LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador met with ECOWAS Executive Secretary Kouyate on July 27. Kouyate indicated that the SIPDIS effort to organize Liberian opposition and civil society leaders continues, and is intended as a precursor to a meeting with Charles Taylor. Careful steps need to be taken t [...] |
2001-08-02 10:10:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LI SL NI ECOWAS |
| 01ABUJA2113 | NIGERIA: NSA MOHAMMED DISCUSSES AFRICA ISSUES [...] (C) Ambassador Jeter, accompanied by PolMilOff, called on NSA Aliyu Mohammed on August 22. LTC Idris, the NSA's Military Advisor also attended. In addition to security assistance, UNAMSIL troop rotations, the WCAR and counter-narcotics (septels), the Ambassador and NSA discussed Nigeria's pe [...] |
2001-08-28 09:05:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SL IV SU ZI LY CG LI NI |
| 01ABUJA2116 | NIGERIA: NSA MOHAMMED ON OFR AND SECURITY [...] (C) Ambassador Jeter, accompanied by PolMilOff, called on NSA Aliyu Mohammed on August 22. LTC Idris, the NSA's Military Advisor also attended. In addition to a discussion of GON efforts in a number of African hot-spots, the WCAR and counter-narcotics (septels), the Ambassador and NSA also d [...] |
2001-08-28 12:47:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | MASS MARR KPKO PINR PREL NI SL |
| 01ABUJA2256 | NIGERIA: CONFLICT RESOLUTION - "AFRICAN-STYLE" [...] (C) SUMMARY: CDA, accompanied by PolMilOff, called on the Special Presidential Envoy for Conflict Resolution, Ambassador Raph Uwechue, to discuss Sudan developments (Refs A and B). Uwechue welcomed the appointment of Senator Danforth as a signal of U.S. interest in Sudan and Africa. He descri [...] |
2001-09-07 20:06:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SU SL ZI PINR NI |
| 01ABUJA2289 | NIGERIA: NSA MOHAMMED ON HUMANITRIAN ASSISTANCE [...] (C) CDA Andrews called on NSA Aliyu Mohammed on 12 September. Mohammed echoed the words of President Obasanjo regarding the terrorist attacks against the United States (Ref F), and offered any and all assistance to locating the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. Andrews thanked the N [...] |
2001-09-12 16:07:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID MASS MARR KPKO SL NI UNAMSIL |
| 01ABUJA2300 | NIGERIA: ARMY MINISTER UPDATE ON OFR AND UNAMSIL [...] (SBU) Army Minister 14 September called PolMilOff on OFR and UNAMSIL issues discussed in recent weeks. Batagarawa stated that he had spoken with Comptroller General of Customs, who had agreed to give his clearance to the container carrying some OFR items from Ghana stuck at the land border. [...] |
2001-09-14 14:49:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MASS MARR SL NI |
| 01ABUJA2331 | NIGERIA: KEBBI GOVERNOR ON OFR AND TERRORIST [...] (SBU/NF) Alhaji Mohammed Aleiro, Governor of Kebbi State, 15 September returned PolMilOff's call from earlier in the week. PolMilOff noted that in the wake of the terrorist attacks against the United States, some press reports had indicated that there had been some celebrations of the attacks [...] |
2001-09-18 08:34:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MASS MARR PTER SL NI |
| 01ABUJA2420 | NIGERIAN ARMY TROOP ROTATION COMPLETELY CANCELLED [...] (U) This is IIR 6 871 0371 01, repeated through State Channels to ensure wider distribution outside of DOD. begin text: 2. (C/NF) Summary: Nigerian army staff stated that latest troop rotation cancelled. Elements of one battalion that had begun to move to Sierra Leone will be recalled [...] |
2001-09-21 16:21:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MASS MARR KPKO SL NI |
| 01ABUJA2451 | NIGERIA: MINISTER OF DEFENSE ON UNAMSIL ROTATIONS, [...] (C) CDA Andrews, accompanied by DATT, called on Minister of Defense Danjuma 25 September. After the Minister offered his personal condolences on the attacks against the U.S., and CDA offered his condolences for the victims of the Jos riot, he raised the USG request that Nigeria adjust its troo [...] |
2001-09-26 08:37:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MASS MARR KPKO SL NI |
| 01ABUJA2986 | NIGERIA: ARMY MINISTER DISCUSSES PKO PLANS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a November 22 meeting with PolCouns and PolmilOff, Army Minister Batagarawa confirmed that Nigeria was planning to send an OFR Phase III battalion to Burundi. He also reported that Ghana probably would seek U.S. equipment support for its Burundi-bound battalion. Batagarawa [...] |
2001-11-27 05:29:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PINS SL BU NI |
| 01ABUJA873 | Operation FOCUS RELIEF Roundtable [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see para 23. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Nigerian Minister of Defense Danjuma chaired an Operation FOCUS RELIEF(OFR) round-table meeting on April 19. The Minister took the role of facilitator in the almost-two hour meeting, restating and clarifying various conc [...] |
2001-04-25 14:54:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MASS MARR NI SL |
| 02ABUJA1407 | NIGERIA: LIBERIAN SANCTIONS [...] (C) In the absence of Foreign Minister Lamido, Ambassador Jeter delivered talking points to Special Presidential Advisor Ad'obe Obe. The Ambassador stressed the importance of keeping pressure on Taylor who remained unrepentant in practice notwithstanding the nice sounds he made in public. Inst [...] |
2002-05-06 18:34:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PREL LI SL NI |
| 02ABUJA3035 | NIGERIA: MOD DANJUMA SAYS SERTI OFR BATTALION [...] (C) On two separate occasions within the past several weeks, Minister of Defense T.Y. Danjuma has assured me that the OFR trained battalion currently in Serti will be rotated out to participate in UNAMSIL. Danjuma said that he has reiterated the order for the rotation and that there had been n [...] |
2002-11-06 12:25:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | MASS MOPS PGOV PREL NI SL |
| 02COLOMBO2015 | COLOMBO-COMMISSIONED POLL GIVES HIGH MARKS TO USG [...] In FY2002 Embassy Colombo commissioned an opinion poll to assess Sri Lankan public perceptions of USG policies regarding the peace process. The poll was performed by a local affiliate of A. G. Nielsen. Its findings were presented to a country team meeting convened on 10/24. 2. The poll fo [...] |
2002-10-29 03:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR KPAO SL |
| 02COLOMBO2018 | LTTE launches Sinhala monthly [...] In recent weeks rumors have circulated in Colombo and elsewhere on the Island regarding a Sinhala newspaper to be published by the LTTE. The purpose of the publication: to tell the Tigers' story to Sri Lanka's Sinhalese publics. Its name: DEDUNNA (or "Rainbow"). 2. Although DEDUNNA ap [...] |
2002-10-29 06:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR KPAO SL LTTE |
| 03ABUJA1078 | NIGERIA: OBASANJO ON LIBERIA: TAYLOR IS FINISHED; [...] (C) In two meetings on other issues during the past week, Ambassador raised developments in Liberia with President Obasanjo. Obasanjo said Taylor was "finished" as President of Liberia. Obasanjo said he, Ghanaian President Kufuor and others at the Accra talks had leaned hard on Taylor to ac [...] |
2003-06-19 11:48:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS LI SL NI ECOWAS |
| 03ABUJA1084 | NIGERIA: OBASANJO SEEKING U.S. APPROVAL FOR GON [...] (C) On the afternoon of June 19, President Obasanjo summoned me and acting British High Commissioner, Charles Bird to the Statehouse for a discussion on Liberia. Also present were National Security Advisor LTG (ret.) Aliyu Mohammed and Presidential Advisor for International Affairs Ad'Obe Ob [...] |
2003-06-19 18:16:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PHUM LI SL NI ECOWAS |
| 03ABUJA1302 | NIGERIA: VETTING OF NIGERIAN BATTALIONS FOR [...] (U) Post has requested the name of the current commander of the 26th Infantry battalion as well as other key officers in the battalion. The Nigerian military has yet to respond to the request, thus we have not been able to vet the names of the battalion commander and his core officers. Howe [...] |
2003-07-30 17:20:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL MARR MASS SL NI |
| 03ROME1670 | ITALY ON THE SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: WE'RE [...] (C) POLOFF COORDINATED DELIVERY OF REFTEL DEMARCHE WITH THE CANADIAN EMBASSY. MFA OFFICE DIRECTOR FOR WEST AFRICA, SEBASTIANO FULCI, WAS FRANK IN HIS RESPONSE TO OUR (AND THE UNSYG'S) REQUEST FOR MORE SUPPORT: ITALY DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS. WHAT LIMITED GOI FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR AFRICA [...] |
2003-04-18 08:31:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PHUM EAID SL IT KWCI UNSC |
| 04ABUJA312 | SHARING INFO ON CHARLES TAYLOR'S ACTIVITIES IN [...] (S/NF) February 23, CDA delivered reftel demarche on Charles Taylor's continuing efforts to influence events in Liberia to Minister of Foreign Affairs Olu Adeniji. Adeniji reiterated the GON's commitment to preventing Taylor from influencing events in Liberia, noting that the GON had warned [...] |
2004-02-24 08:11:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM PREL IO LI SL NI |
| 04ABUJA445 | PRESIDENT OBASANJO ON CHARLES TAYLOR [...] (S) Summary: President Obasanjo told Ambassador at Large Prosper March 12 that Charles Taylor's stay in Nigeria was temporary, and would end when a "democratically elected Liberian Government" asked publicly for Taylor to go to the Special Court in Sierra Leone, or to Liberia, or anywhere els [...] |
2004-03-15 03:54:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET | PREL PHUM LI SL NI |
| 04ANKARA794 | OPERATION BALKAN VICE III -- TURKEY [...] No summary [...] |
2004-02-10 14:46:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | BK CY EFIN ETTC GM HR HU MK MOPS PREL SL SZ TU KAWC YI |
| 04BRATISLAVA513 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STEPHEN STEGER [...] EMBASSY BRATISLAVA WELCOMES EUR/RPM NATO DESK OFFICER STEPHEN STEGER AND GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 28 THROUGH JUNE 1, 2004. THE EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT FOR YOUR VISIT IS KASSIE KOHLER, POL OFFICER. THE PHONE NUMBER IS +420-2-5920-3166 (OFFICE). THE FAX LINE I [...] |
2004-05-25 09:32:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT PREL SL OSCE NATO PERM |
| 04MADRID561 | SPANISH RESPONSE: VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO [...] (C) Per reftel A, we spoke with Inigo de Palacio, MFA Director of UN Affairs, on February 9 to deliver demarche on voluntary contributions to the Special Court for Sierra Leone. De Palacio said he could not give a response at that time, but would pursue the issue within the MFA. On February [...] |
2004-02-18 13:24:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MARR PINS SL SP KWCI UNSC |
| 04MAPUTO197 | LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CHISSANO [...] No summary [...] |
2004-02-13 08:27:00 | Embassy Maputo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL SL IV LI MZ ECOWAS |
| 04ROME610 | GOI PLANS TO PROVIDE LIMITED FUNDS FOR SIERRA [...] (C) SEBASTIANO FULCI, MFA WEST AFRICA OFFICE DIRECTOR INFORMED POST THAT ITALY PLANS TO PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 150,000 EURO FROM ITS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS BUDGET FOR THE SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT. ITALY PROVIDED 180,000 EURO IN 2001 AND 260,000 EURO AT THE END OF 2003. 2. (C) FULCI EXPLAI [...] |
2004-02-18 16:26:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MARR PINS EAID SL IT KWCI UNSC |
| 04THEHAGUE1657 | OPERATION BALKAN VICE IV: THE NETHERLANDS [...] (S) PolOffs and Deputy Legal Counselor made ref A demarche to MFA Western Balkans Director Klaas van der Tempel on June 30. Van der Tempel said the GONL supported OHR's work against such individuals. Concerning freezing the assets of the individuals named in ref A, van der Tempel said that [...] |
2004-07-01 08:56:00 | Embassy The Hague | SECRET | PREL MOPS EFIN ETTC KAWC BK MK HR GM CY HU SL SZ YI NL ICTY NK |
| 04THEHAGUE382 | OPERATION BALKAN VICE III: THE NETHERLANDS [...] (S) EmbOffs delivered reftel demarche to Dutch Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs respectively on February 9 and 10. Dutch MFA Western Balkans Chief Klaas van der Tempel expressed support for the action, noting the GONL had been active last year in arguing for EU visa restrictions on [...] |
2004-02-13 15:24:00 | Embassy The Hague | SECRET | PREL MOPS EFIN ETTC KAWC BK MK HR GM CY HU SL SZ YI NL ICTY NK |
| 05ABUJA114 | CHARLES TAYLOR DEMARCHE [...] (C) Ambassador presented reftel demarche and talking points to MFA PermSec N.U.O. Nadibia-Anyanwu on January 19, and also sent a copy to National Security Advisor Aliyu Mohammed. The PermSec responded that such fears of Taylor's influence had been investigated in the past and proved overblown [...] |
2005-01-26 14:46:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SL LI NI |
| 05ABUJA1904 | THE ECOWAS LOGISTICS DEPOT AND UNSC SANCTIONS [...] This is an action request. See paragraph 4. 2. As UNAMSIL vacates Sierra Leone at the end of the year, ECOWAS will assume control of the Hastings Airfield Complex outside of Freetown for the purpose of establishing a full-service peacekeeping logistics depot. This depot is one of the ke [...] |
2005-10-05 15:39:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPKO MARR SL NI UNSC ECOWAS |
| 05ACCRA770 | REFUGEES IN THE GAMBIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Refugees in The Gambia comprise a disparate assortment of illiterate Senegalese farmers, Sierra Leonean professionals, and Liberians. While UNHCR provides for almost every imaginable need for the residents of Bambali Camp, urban refugees in Banjul struggle to eke out a meager [...] |
2005-04-21 16:26:00 | Embassy Accra | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | GA SL SE LI PREF |
| 05BRATISLAVA772 | Country Clearance granted for USAID contractors Mary [...] Embassy Bratislava welcomes USAID contractors: Mary Linehan, Catherine F. Cleland, Lisa Adams, Diana Selezeanu, Robert Rosenburg, Eun-Joo Chang and John Capati and grants country clearance for the period of October 2-7, 2005. The embassy point of contact for your visit is Richard "Trey" Lyon [...] |
2005-09-27 07:35:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID SL HU RO LO |
| 05BUCHAREST748 | SECI CENTER AND BRUSSELS: A VIEW FROM THE OTHER [...] SECI Center DoS Coordinator traveled to Brussels and met with EU officials concerning SECI initiatives and EU plans to become more involved with the Center. Though EU officials were very interested in the current work of SECI, they were reluctant to commit any resources despite the reality th [...] |
2005-03-24 14:40:00 | Embassy Bucharest | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PREL ECON EU GR TU SR HU SL BK MK BU HR RO |
| 05LJUBLJANA292 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RENE ALEXANDER "ALEX" [...] Embassy Ljubljana welcomes the visit of and grants Country Clearance to U.S. Speaker Mr. Rene Alexander "Alex" Acosta, to travel to Ljubljana, Slovenia on May 07-10, 2005, to discuss trafficking issues, in support of post's objective to reduce trafficking in humans. 2. The Control Officer [...] |
2005-05-04 06:04:00 | Embassy Ljubljana | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP SL PO |
| 05NEWDELHI6036 | INDIA'S SAARC PRIORITIES: SAFTA IS KEY [...] (C) Summary: In a July 28 meeting, newly appointed MEA Joint Secretary for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) P.K. Kapur highlighted the GOI's priorities for the November 12-13 meeting in Dhaka, including the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), a poverty and infrast [...] |
2005-08-04 14:08:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD ECIN EAID BG SL NP PK ML BU IN SAARC |
| 05NEWDELHI8749 | OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: GOI PROPOSES US OBSERVER STATUS AT SAARC [...] (U) For SA: SEE ACTION REQUEST PARA 8. 2. (C) Summary: In a surprise development, the GOI has told us that it would welcome US participation as an Observer to SAARC. At a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit briefing on November 16, MEA Joint Secretary (SAARC) P.K. [...] |
2005-11-17 13:25:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD ECIN AORC BG SL NP PK ML BU IN SAARC |
| 05OTTAWA3580 | QUAD MEETING ON SRI LANKA IN OTTAWA [...] (C) Summary: A Quad meeting was held in Ottawa November 29 on Sri Lanka on the margins of scheduled meetings on Bangladesh and Pakistan. The participants expressed concern over the downward spiral in the peace process and slackening international attention to Sri Lanka. The participants agr [...] |
2005-12-02 22:54:00 | Embassy Ottawa | CONFIDENTIAL | AS CA KDEM PGOV PREL PTER SL UK |
| 05PARIS3088 | FRANCE FAVORS RATIONALIZING WEST AFRICA UN [...] (C) Embassy Africa watcher raised ref B points on authorizing the UNSYG to transfer peacekeeping units among existing missions in West Africa with MFA AF PDAS-equivalent Elisabeth Barbier and MFA IO DAS-equivalent Jean Pierre Lacroix on May 6. 2. (C) Barbier, while noting that IO had the le [...] |
2005-05-06 16:28:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | KPKO SL LI IV UK FR UNSC |
| 05PARIS439 | FRANCE AND WEST AFRICA [...] (C) SUMMARY: This is the last of a series of messages (reftels) briefly summarizing French relations with African nations. For the last two years, France's Africa policy has, of necessity, been focused on the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. Two years after France hosted the Linas-Marcoussis and Kleb [...] |
2005-01-25 13:27:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV BN UV CV GA GH GV PU IV LI ML MR NG NI SG SL TO XY FR |
| 06BRIDGETOWN1878 | REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR U.S. [...] Post requests the Department's assistance in screening the following candidate of the St. Lucian police force who has been nominated for training in the United States, pursuant to the Leahy Act and Foreign Assistance Act. Post has no derogatory information. 2. Candidate's name and informat [...] |
2006-10-25 19:57:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM SL XL |
| 06BRIDGETOWN2026 | TAIWAN INVOLVEMENT IN ST. LUCIAN ELECTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Although many observers believe that Taiwan is supporting the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) in the December 11 St. Lucian elections, there is little evidence because of the lack of transparency in campaign finance. PM Anthony has expressed concern that Taiwan will provide [...] |
2006-11-17 21:14:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PREL TW SL XL |
| 06CONAKRY1711 | Mano River Union Conference: Consolidating Peace and [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. On November 16-17, Guinea hosted the Conference for the Consolidation of Peace and Security in the Mano River Region. The event brought together delegations from Liberia and Sierra Leone with officials from various United Nations agencies, foreign governments, and diplomatic mi [...] |
2006-11-21 07:24:00 | Embassy Conakry | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREF PREL PBTS EAID GV LI SL IV |
| 06DAKAR2093 | REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR SIERRA LEONE REFUGEE JOSEPH [...] (C) Embassy Dakar requests authorization for a refugee referral to the U.S. Resettlement Program on behalf of Sierra Leone refugee Joseph F.M. Sankoh, who took refuge in Dakar in March 2006. He, his wife and otehr family members previously took refuge in Guinea in 1997. The family joined him [...] |
2006-08-31 11:53:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM SL GV SG |
| 06FREETOWN1007 | MIXED REACTIONS TO BLOOD DIAMOND MOVIE IN SIERRA [...] (SBU) Sierra Leonean reactions to the soon-to-be released Blood Diamond movie set in Sierra Leone are mixed. Due for release on December 8, the movie comes amidst an upsurge in public awareness about the conflict diamond trade and has drawn increasing attention to the African diamond mining [...] |
2006-12-11 10:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON EFIN EAID ETRD EMIN SL |
| 06FREETOWN1018 | SIERRA LEONE'S NEW HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION SWORN IN [...] (U) Sierra Leone achieved another milestone in its post-conflict recovery on December 11 with the inauguration of the new Human Rights Commission (HRC). The five commissioners, who were proposed by civil society organizations, were sworn-in on International Human Rights Day in the presence o [...] |
2006-12-12 19:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM SL |
| 06FREETOWN1028 | SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE: NEW SPECIAL [...] (C) The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) recently announced the appointment of Stephen Rapp as the new Special Prosecutor. Mr. Rapp called on the Ambassador December 14. In separate visits by AF/W Director Phil Carter on November 15 and Special Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for [...] |
2006-12-18 17:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KJUS PREL PGOV PHUM SL |
| 06FREETOWN1042 | SPECIAL COURT UPDATE: COURT PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO [...] (C) President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone Justice George Gelaga King informed the Ambassador December 22 that he planned to travel to New York to meet with the Court's Management Committee on January 22. He also requested Post's assistance to arrange meetings on January 23-24 at t [...] |
2006-12-27 17:12:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KJUS PREL PGOV PHUM SL |
| 06FREETOWN1053 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON IRAN AND UNSCR 1737 [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-28 16:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP MNUC SL |
| 06FREETOWN1054 | DEMARCHE: 2007 LIBERIA PARTNERS' FORUM [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-28 16:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN11 | SIERRA LEONE GARNERS PRAISE, REAPS $800 MILLION, [...] (U) Summary: The Consultative Group (CG) meeting on Sierra Leone on November 29-30 in London generated unexpected praise from the international community for the country's recovery after the end of the brutal decade-long civil war in early 2002. UK Secretary of State for International Develo [...] |
2006-01-04 16:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EFIN PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN232 | School Violence: A Dangerous New Trend [...] A spate of violent demonstrations by high school students may be the start of a dangerous trend. There have been five separate student demonstrations in less than a month, one of which resulted in the shooting death of a student. Government officials have expressed concern over the violence [...] |
2006-03-17 08:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI PINS SL |
| 06FREETOWN247 | SIERRA LEONE FORECASTS INCREASED DIAMOND EXPORTS, [...] No summary [...] |
2006-03-23 17:10:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EMIN ETRD SL |
| 06FREETOWN25 | UN PEACEKEEPERS LEAVE SIERRA LEONE, BUT FRAGILITY [...] No summary [...] |
2006-01-11 17:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KPKO PGOV PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN321 | MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR MARCH 2006 [...] Post and Mission Activities/Press Releases: A. Post issued a press release on the Nationwide HIV/AIDS education tour. The US Government, through the US Department of Defense, sponsored the tour. Sierra Leone's internationally acclaimed musician Steady Bongo and the Republic of Sierra Leon [...] |
2006-04-19 15:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 06FREETOWN322 | Sierra Leoneans React to Human Rights Report [...] On April 13, the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee hosted its second annual workshop on the status of human rights in Sierra Leone and used the State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices as its basis for discussion. Human Rights Committee Chairman Dr. Alusine Fofana used t [...] |
2006-04-19 17:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ELAB KDEM KSEP PGOV PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN325 | ON EVE OF TRIP TO UK AND US, ALL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS [...] (U) The opposition All People's Congress (APC) Party Chairman and 2007 presidential nominee Ernest Bai Koroma departs for the UK and the U.S. about April 24 to meet with diaspora APC supporters and raise money for the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections. In the U.S. beginning May 4, [...] |
2006-04-20 10:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SL |
| 06FREETOWN360 | AMCIT DETAINED FOR PHOTOGRAPHING SPECIAL COURT, NO [...] (C) On May 2, AmCit Michael Chemidlin was arrested for taking photographs of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (reftel) where war crimes indictee former Liberian President Charles Taylor is incarcerated awaiting trial. Chemidlin was accompanied by two Sierra Leoneans who he said told him to [...] |
2006-05-05 17:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | ASEC CASC PREL SL LI |
| 06FREETOWN379 | GOVERNMENT STOPS COOPERATION WITH UN MISSION OVER [...] (C) President Kabbah and his Government did not like the criticisms in the recent UN Secretary General's quarterly report to the Security Council on the UNIOSIL mission and reacted by discontinuing cooperation with the UN mission. The international community supports UNIOSIL and the Executive [...] |
2006-05-11 19:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL USUN KDEM SL |
| 06FREETOWN389 | SYG ANNAN CALL TO KABBAH RESTORES GOSL-UNIOSIL [...] (C) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's telephone call from Vienna to President Kabbah late on May 12 looks to have restored the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) - UNIOSIL relationship. Annan's call followed his May 10 letter to Kabbah (reftel). As a result, Kabbah reportedly rescinded the Go [...] |
2006-05-15 18:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM USUN SL |
| 06FREETOWN400 | LARGELY U.S.-OWNED SIERRA RUTILE OFF TO GOOD [...] (C) Sierra Rutile (SR) just exported the first shipment of mined product since 1995. Board members, including Chairman Walter Kansteiner, witnessed the re-entry of the US.-owned company into world markets. Up until the mid-1990s when the mining equipment was destroyed by rebels, SR was the wo [...] |
2006-05-17 15:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EMIN ETRD EFIN PREL BEXP SL |
| 06FREETOWN409 | RE-ARRESTED: AMCIT ACCUSED OF TREASON [...] (C) On May 16, one day after a magistrate judge released American Citizen Michael Chemidlin and three Sierra Leoneans held on charges of conspiracy and treason for taking photographs of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, police re-arrested Chemidlin and two of the three Sierra Leoneans. The m [...] |
2006-05-24 10:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | CASC PINS KCRM PREL PHUM KDEM KAWC SL |
| 06FREETOWN441 | SIERRA LEONE DEBATES A STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL [...] The newly formed National Commission on Environment and Forestry (NaCEF) is reaching out to other stakeholders in the development of its Strategic Action Plan. The Regional Environmental Hub Officer made a presentation at a one-day conference about the lessons Sierra Leone could learn from th [...] |
2006-06-01 17:15:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN460 | NEW SPECIAL COURT PRESIDENT FAVORS TAYLOR [...] (C) On June 5, Ambassador and PolOff met with the new presiding judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone Appeals Chamber (and President of the Special Court), Justice George Gelaga King, who just took up a one-year term of office. King thanked the Ambassador for the U.S. financial contribut [...] |
2006-06-05 17:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KAWC SL NL |
| 06FREETOWN473 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SL GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS TIP [...] On June 6, the Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Acting Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Kamara. The Ambassador encouraged the GoSL to activate the Trafficking in Persons Task Force, as stipulated in the new Anti-Trafficking Act, and prepare a national strategy on TIP. Kamara was pleased [...] |
2006-06-12 09:23:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN SMIG SL |
| 06FREETOWN484 | SPECIAL COURT WANTS MORE MONEY, SUPPORT [...] (C) On June 9, visiting AF/W Director Phillip Carter and PolOff met separately with three principal officials at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL): Registrar Lovemore Munlo, Acting Chief Prosecutor Christopher Staker, and Principal Defender Vincent Nmehielle. There appeared to be cons [...] |
2006-06-13 12:56:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KAWC SL NL |
| 06FREETOWN496 | Liberians Riot At Freetown UNHCR Office [...] On June 12, a small contingent of disgruntled Liberian refugees, including ex-combatants who were recently refused refugee status, led an assault on the Freetown UNHCR office. Police arrested 61 people, but only after approximately $50,000 worth of damage was done to UNHCR vehicles and ground [...] |
2006-06-19 17:01:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PINS ASEC SL LI |
| 06FREETOWN499 | SIERRA LEONE PREPARES FOR 2007 ELECTIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-19 18:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 06FREETOWN500 | CHARLES TAYLOR DEPARTS FREETOWN FOR THE HAGUE [...] (C) At 0941 on June 20, a UN-chartered Airbus departed Lungi International Airport in Freetown with former Liberian President Charles Taylor onboard. 2. (C) Taylor departed the Special Court compound via helicoptor at 0900 enroute to Lungi under heavy security. Armored vehicles and UNMIL Ir [...] |
2006-06-20 10:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEC KAWC SL NL |
| 06FREETOWN508 | SIERRA LEONE: NO CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOSL FOR 2006 [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-22 10:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN CASC PGOV KIDE SL |
| 06FREETOWN511 | UNPP ELECTS US COLLEGE PROFESSOR AS PRESIDENTIAL [...] Summary: On June 16 and 17, the United National People's Party (UNPP) held a national convention in Freetown to elect a new party leader and presidential candidate. Delegates elected Abdul Karim Koroma, a U.S. professor, as presidential candidate. One party official denied the legitimacy of [...] |
2006-06-22 16:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 06FREETOWN514 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SIERRA LEONE HAS NO DESIRE TO [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-23 14:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN529 | OHCHR FIELD OFFICE NEEDS TO WORK HARDER ON TRC [...] The UNIOSIL Human Rights Section manages UNHCHR activities in Sierra Leone. The Section Director told PolAsst that the primary activities of his office were dissemination, sensitization, and implementation of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations. Recent [...] |
2006-06-30 09:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN530 | LIBERIAN REFUGEES VOICE COMPLAINTS AT UNHCR WORLD [...] The June 12 riot at UNHCR offices in Freetown was addressed by several panelists at the World Refugee Day event on June 20. GoSL officials condemned the action and chastised supporters of the urban refugees that led the riot. An urban refugee representative responded to these comments with [...] |
2006-06-30 09:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PINS ASEC SL LI |
| 06FREETOWN535 | Decentralization Two Years On: Hopeful Signs [...] Since May 2004, when Sierra Leone held its first local elections in 32 years, local government has made tremendous progress. Devolution of government responsibility and funding have begun to occur in a real way, and local communities are starting to see the benefits. Although there is still [...] |
2006-07-03 07:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 06FREETOWN537 | TIP TASK FORCE: UP BUT NOT QUITE RUNNING [...] On June 22, the Minister of Social Welfare met with PolOff to discuss the progress of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Task Force. The minister voiced concerns over the contents of the 2005 TIP Report, but was committed to the establishment of the Task Force. In its first meeting, the Task [...] |
2006-07-03 09:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN SMIG SL |
| 06FREETOWN542 | EAC MEETING: ACUTE WATER SHORTAGE -- POST PLANS [...] A July 5 Emergency Action Committee meeting discussed the acute water shortage in Freetown and what actions post can take to mitigate its effects. The Guma Valley reservoir is seriously drawn down and municipal water rationing was instituted last week. On July 4, the Government established [...] |
2006-07-06 16:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT AEMR ASEC CASC EAID SL |
| 06FREETOWN554 | THE BEGINNING OF THE LONG GOODBYE: KABBAH OPENS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-10 12:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN579 | GOSL LAUNCHES AVIAN INFLUENZA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN [...] Summary: On July 13, EmbOff attended the Avian Influenza National Action Plan launch hosted by the newly created Sierra Leone Avian Influenza Secretariat. The Secretariat presented the National Action Plan, which includes strategies for prevention, monitoring, and response to an audience of [...] |
2006-07-18 12:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KFLU SENV ETRD EAID AMED CASC SL |
| 06FREETOWN586 | SIERRA LEONE DIAMOND EXPORTS DOWN FROM 2005 [...] The most recent GoSL statistics show diamond exports down from last year despite early 2006 forecasts of an 8.5% increase for the full year. January to June 2006 diamond export value has fallen 12.23% from the same period in 2005. This decline in export value is partially explained by a drop [...] |
2006-07-19 08:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EMIN ETRD EAID SL |
| 06FREETOWN597 | WOLFOWITZ HAILS SIERRA LEONE'S PROGRESS [...] (U) On the first visit ever by a World Bank President to Sierra Leone, Paul Wolfowitz hailed Sierra Leone as "one of the most successful post-conflict countries." Speaking to the press at the end of a July 20-21 trip to meet with the Government, civil society, and war amputees, and to visit the [...] |
2006-07-21 16:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN603 | TFLE01: LEBANESE IN SIERRA LEONE APPEAL TO U.S. [...] SUMMARY: On July 25, five representatives from the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone met with the Ambassador and PolOff to present a letter asking for strong U.S. action to broker a ceasefire with Israel. The President of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone said that the bombings are out [...] |
2006-07-26 08:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CASC ASEC MOPS SL LE IS |
| 06FREETOWN617 | SPECIAL COURT REGISTRAR DISCUSSES COMPLETION OF [...] (U) Special Court for Sierra Leone Registrar Lovemore Munlo met with Ambassador and PolOff on July 26 to discuss a number of issues the Court faces, including its completion strategy (discussed in reftel). Munlo stood by the draft completion calendar forwarded to the Management Committee that [...] |
2006-07-31 14:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KAWC SL SG |
| 06FREETOWN630 | PRESIDENT KABBAH ANNOUNCES JULY 28, 2007 FOR [...] (U) On August 3, President Kabbah announced Saturday, July 28, 2007 as the date for presidential and parliamentary elections. 2. (U) Citing constitutional requirements for presidential and parliamentary elections, Kabbah has selected July 28, 2007 as a date on which both presidential and pa [...] |
2006-08-03 19:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SL |
| 06FREETOWN646 | IMF REP ON SIERRA LEONE COMPLETION POINT: MAYBE BY [...] (C) The IMF Representative for Guinea and Sierra Leone told DCM on August 4 that Sierra Leone has hard work to do on increasing government revenues and controlling expenditures. With substantial effort, the HIPC completion point (put off several times) could be reached by late 2006. Collecting [...] |
2006-08-10 13:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAID EINV SL |
| 06FREETOWN681 | RIGGED CHIEFDOM ELECTIONS: A WORRYING SIGN FOR 2007 [...] (C) On August 12, a new Mandingo paramount chief was crowned in the predominantly Limba Biriwa Chiefdom. The election was preceded by a dispute over eligible electors, a court injunction, a refusal by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to oversee the elections, and Limba-Mandingo violenc [...] |
2006-08-18 15:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 06FREETOWN702 | SIERRA LEONE STILL UNDECIDED ON UNSC VOTE, BUT [...] (C) On August 24, PolOff met with Director General of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Umaru Wurie. Wurie said that he is expecting a Venezuelan envoy to arrive on September 3 to discuss his country's candidacy for the UN Security Council. Wurie said Sierra Leone's permanent representative to the UN [...] |
2006-08-28 09:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC UNGA SL GT VE |
| 06FREETOWN707 | SIERRA LEONE'S VOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW [...] (C) On August 28, Director General of Foreign Affairs Umaru Wurie told the Ambassador that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended to their mission at the UN to vote in favor of Michael Matheson's candidacy to the UN International Law Commission. 2. (C) On an earlier occasion, Wurie [...] |
2006-08-29 07:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA SL US |
| 06FREETOWN709 | FREETOWN REPLY: U.S. CANDIDATE FOR THE UN HUMAN [...] (C) On August 28, Director General of Foreign Affairs Umaru Wurie told the Ambassador that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended to their mission at the UN to vote in favor of Ruth Wedgewood's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Committee. 2. (C) On an earlier occasion, Wurie told Po [...] |
2006-08-29 07:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SL US |
| 06FREETOWN716 | IRANIAN DELEGATION LEAVES SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) On August 22, Sierra Leone's state broadcasting network reported the previous day's visit of an Iranian delegation to Sierra Leone. According to the report, Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mohammed Reza Eskanderi led a 27-man delegation that included the Deputy Ministers of Defense, Energ [...] |
2006-08-31 09:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SL IR |
| 06FREETOWN755 | SIERRA LEONE: LOSING THE BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION? [...] (C) Summary: On August 24, the High Court of Sierra Leone acquitted six defendants accused of procuring an overvalued, non-functional forklift for the Sierra Leone Port Authority for lack of evidence. The acquittal in this case, which was the only corruption case involving high-level governmen [...] |
2006-09-11 18:37:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR UK SL |
| 06FREETOWN776 | SIERRA LEONE'S RULING PARTY THREATENS RIVALS [...] (C) During a recent trip to ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) strongholds in southern and eastern Sierra Leone to gauge the popularity of Charles Margai's SLPP breakaway party, the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), PolOff found a disturbing pattern of manipulation, intimi [...] |
2006-09-15 16:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM SL |
| 06FREETOWN803 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: VENEZUELA UNSC RACE [...] (C) On September 28, during a meeting with Sierra Leone President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, Ambassador raised U.S. concerns about Venezuela's UNSC candidacy and the behavior of President Chavez, as requested reftel. Both the Foreign Minister and the Vice President are currently out of the country. [...] |
2006-09-28 18:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | UNSC GT VE SL |
| 06FREETOWN809 | HEALTH OF PRESIDENT KABBAH OF SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) As requested Reftel, Embassy Freetown is providing an assessment of the apparent health and leadership qualities of the President of Sierra Leone. Information is based on observation. 2. (U) Biographic Information: Name: President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah Term of Office: President sin [...] |
2006-09-29 14:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR SL |
| 06FREETOWN810 | AMBASSADOR HOSTS SUCCESSFUL RAMADAN IFTAR [...] On September 27, the Ambassador invited members of Sierra Leone's Muslim community to the residence to participate in a Maghreb Prayer and Ifter to break the Ramadan fast. The event was well attended by about 75 prominent Muslim Sheiks, clerics and Imams, as well as Minister of Labor Alpha Tim [...] |
2006-09-29 14:48:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KISL KPAO SL |
| 06FREETOWN819 | PARLIAMENT CONFIRMS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEMBERS [...] On October 3, Parliament confirmed five representatives for the newly-established Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone. 2. The new representatives are: Jamesfina King: Has a Master's Degree in International Legal Studies with a focus on Human Rights. She has been in private practice fo [...] |
2006-10-05 11:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KBIO SL |
| 06FREETOWN840 | SIERRA LEONE LAUNCHES YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHEME [...] (U) On October 9, Charge and PolOff attended the launching of the GoSL's Youth Employment Scheme (YES). Vice President Solomon Berewa gave the keynote address. Many ministers and a few donor agencies' representatives attended the event. Berewa announce that the government had earmarked 1 [...] |
2006-10-12 18:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EFIN ECON SL |
| 06FREETOWN852 | SIERRA LEONE CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA [...] (C) Per reftel C instructions, Charge met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Umaru Wurie October 17 to confirm GoSL's continuing support of Guatemala's UNSC candidacy. DG Wurie confirmed the message received by the Embassy on October 16 (Ref D) that he had contacted the GoSL [...] |
2006-10-18 07:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC GT VT SL |
| 06FREETOWN854 | DEMARCHE: CONVENTION ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS [...] On October 17, Charge met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Umaru Wurie to deliver reftel points and discuss the CCW protocol on anti-vehicle mines. Charge explained the framework of the protocol and opt-in provisions and USG concerns about the inability to reach consensus on [...] |
2006-10-18 11:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM MCAP PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN855 | NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST: SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) On October 17, Charge met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Umaru Wurie to deliver reftel points and share USG concerns with North Korea's October 8 nuclear test and continuing efforts to develop WMD. Charge emphasized the importance of preventing North Korea from develo [...] |
2006-10-18 11:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM KNNP KPAO WMD MNUC SL |
| 06FREETOWN856 | DEMARCHE ON RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES [...] On October 17, Charge met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Umaru Wurie to deliver reftel points and non-papers. Charge expressed USG concerns about the flaws of the text, noting that the document endorsed by the Human Rights Council lacked consensus and a definition of the t [...] |
2006-10-18 11:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KTIA UN SL |
| 06FREETOWN876 | REQUEST TO PURSUE STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH [...] This is an action request. See Para. 5 2. Since 2001 DOD has assigned at least three U.S. Military personnel to serve as U.S. liaison at the International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT). Although the UK concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Sierra Leone (G [...] |
2006-10-26 17:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR PREL SL |
| 06FREETOWN953 | Embassy Freetown Dedicates New Embassy Compound November [...] On November 16, Embassy Freetown officially dedicated the New Embassy Compound. OBO Director General Charles E. Williams and Sierra Leone Vice President Soloman E. Berewa (representing President Kabbah who was out of the country) and the Ambassador participated in the outdoor ceremony, unveile [...] |
2006-11-21 09:37:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO ABLD AGMT CVIS SL |
| 06FREETOWN957 | FREETOWN GRANTS G/TIP COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST [...] Post welcomes and grants country clearance for the visit of Amy Lemar, Program Analyst for Africa in the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP), to Freetown December 10 - 14. A contract expediter meets all visitors - see para 9 below. Visitors are urged to read the conten [...] |
2006-11-22 14:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA KCRM KWMN PHUM ELAB SMIG NI BN SG SL |
| 06FREETOWN971 | PARLIAMENT PASSES 2007 BUDGET [...] On November 22, Parliament passed the 2007 budget after a series of debates. The government says that it will increase capital expenditures to rebuild capacity to deliver basic services and support private sector development. Government officials estimate economic growth at 7.5 percent for 2 [...] |
2006-11-29 07:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PREL SL |
| 06KUWAIT4351 | NGOS SAY NEW DOMESTIC LABOR CONTRACT IS A FIRST [...] (C/NF) Summary. After more than a year of delay, the GOK recently implemented a rule that all domestic laborers coming to Kuwait must sign a standard, three-party (recruitment agency, worker, employer/sponsor) contract. The contract provides for, among other things, minimum wages and daily [...] |
2006-11-05 05:19:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM ELAB IN SL ET KU TIP |
| 06LONDON4221 | (C/NF) LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE: UK CONSIDERING [...] (C/NF) FCO West Africa Section Head Jason Moore told Poloff under questioning June 12 that HMG is considering UN Secretary General Annan's request that it agree to SIPDIS incarcerate former Liberian president Charles Taylor if he is convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). M [...] |
2006-06-13 15:39:00 | Embassy London | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PHUM KAWC LI SL UK |
| 06MAPUTO377 | MOZAMBIQUE: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON CHARLES TAYLOR [...] No summary [...] |
2006-03-27 14:33:00 | Embassy Maputo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KAWC UNSC LI MZ NI SL |
| 06NEWDELHI1172 | RECENT SRI LANKAN TAMIL REFUGEE ARRIVALS IN SOUTH [...] (SBU) Summary: Although the promise of upcoming talks to strengthen the Cease-Fire Agreement has slowed the flow of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees coming to South India, there are now about 400 refugees at the Mandapam refugee transit camp in Tamil Nadu, near Palk Bay. In recent meetings, UNHCR an [...] |
2006-02-15 14:06:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINR PREF SL IN |
| 06NEWDELHI7762 | AN INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH COMMUNIST LEADER [...] (C) Summary: In a November 13 meeting with PolCouns, CPI(M) leader and ideologue Sitaram Yechury expressed a desire to maintain regular relations with the Embassy. With a straight face, Yechury was adamant that good relations benefited both India and the US and had moved beyond the stage of [...] |
2006-11-13 11:52:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ELAB PGOV PINR PREL IN BG NP SL |
| 06OSLO1344 | NORWEGIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IN SUDAN, IRAQ [...] (C) In an October 30 tour d'horizon, Norwegian Minister of Development Assistance Erik Solheim reviewed Norway's approach to Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka. He cited unhappiness with the multilateral aid mechanisms Norway has been using in the Sudan, saying Norway may have to switch to [...] |
2006-10-31 16:34:00 | Embassy Oslo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL EAID NATO SU NO AF SL IZ |
| 06PARIS1335 | FRANCE CONTRIBUTION FOR 2006 TIP REPORT - PART I [...] Answers below are keyed to section and para numbers in reftel. Embassy Paris TIP point of contact is Kim Baker, bakerke@state.gov. Phone 33 1 43 12 23 93 (or IVG 8-498-2393), fax 33 1 43 12 26 63. Time spent on TIP report: FS-04 poloff: 80 hours. FS-1 Deputy Political Counselor: 4 hours [...] |
2006-03-03 11:26:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB FR BU RO AL SL CM NI |
| 06PARIS1338 | FRANCE CONTRIBUTION FOR 2006 TIP REPORT - PART II [...] No summary [...] |
2006-03-03 11:28:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB FR BU RO AL SL CM NI |
| 06ULAANBAATAR750 | 7th Rotation of Mongolian Troops Departs for Iraq [...] One hundred Mongolian troops departed today for Iraq, where they will provide force protection at Camp Echo for Polish troops in the Multinational Force. The six month deployment is Mongolia's 7th rotation of troops to Iraq since 2003. The dawn departure ceremony was attended by the Charge, [...] |
2006-10-04 00:27:00 | Embassy Ulaanbaatar | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR PREL KPKO MG IZ AF YI SL TU BE |
| 06USUNNEWYORK1093 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] SUMMARY: Members of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee communicated May 25 via videoconference with Court Registrar Lovemore Munlo and other Court officials to discuss the proposed $26.8 million budget projected for July 2006-June 2007, progress in the three trials now underw [...] |
2006-05-31 18:51:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 06USUNNEWYORK1839 | CONFERENCE ON UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION: NGOS [...] SUMMARY: On September 5, civil society think tanks, NGOs, and UN mission representatives discussed next steps for the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) during a German NGO-sponsored symposium on "Getting the Peacebuilding Commission off the Ground - How to Include Civil Society on the Ground." [...] |
2006-09-20 13:33:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | KPKO EAID SOCI BR SL |
| 06USUNNEWYORK2177 | SELECTION OF PROSECUTOR FOR SPECIAL COURT SIERRA [...] USUN Legal Adviser contacted UN Assistant Secretary General for Legal Affairs Johnson on November 20 to raise the issues (reftel) pertaining to the selection of a new Prosecutor for the SCSL. Johnson confirmed that the UN has recommended a candidate to fill this position to the Government o [...] |
2006-11-22 00:21:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | KAWC KJUS SL USUN |
| 06USUNNEWYORK514 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] USUN management-reform (M/R) officer joined other Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee members in a formal meeting March 13 to discuss the Committee's upcoming trip to Freetown, the Court's precarious financial future, and the need to prod the Court's judges to increase judicial ef [...] |
2006-03-16 14:31:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 06USUNNEWYORK973 | PRESS REPORTS AMERICAN ARRESTED IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (SBU) UN LEGAL OFFICE INFORMED USUN MAY 11 THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED REPORTS FROM THE SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT REGISTRAR, LOVEMORE MANLO,THAT AMERICAN CITIZEN MICHAEL CHEMIDLINE HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH "CONSPIRACY TO ENGAGE IN A PURPOSE PREJUDICIAL TO THE STATE OF SIERRA LEONE" UN [...] |
2006-05-12 20:58:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KJUS SL |
| 06WARSAW1167 | POLAND: UPDATE ON ENERGY SECURITY [...] (C) The Government of Poland continues to pursue its goal of diversifying energy resources. On May 31, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution prioritizing construction of a gas pipeline from Norway, liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal, and extension of the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline [...] |
2006-06-13 14:39:00 | Embassy Warsaw | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET GG PO PREL RS SA SL UR AJ EZ |
| 07ABIDJAN959 | (U) ACTION COMPLETED: IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE [...] (SBU) Embassy Abidjan completed action requested in reftel. Here is the biographic information on three influential Ivoirian Muslim leaders who have favorable views of the United States and offer an alternative view to Islamic extremism. 2. (SBU) El Hadj Aboubacar FOFANA Gender: Male DOB [...] |
2007-09-12 18:50:00 | Embassy Abidjan | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PK PO QA RP RS RW SA SF SG SL SN SO SP |
| 07ACCRA1893 | GHANA'S RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SIERRA LEONE [...] (SBU) In response to ref A, on September 6 Charge spoke to D.K. Osei, President Kufuor's Foreign Policy Advisor, to convey USG concerns over tensions surrounding the run-off presidential elections in Sierra Leone, and to seek a statement from President Kufuor in his capacity as head of the Afr [...] |
2007-09-06 16:14:00 | Embassy Accra | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SL GH |
| 07ACCRA569 | WEST AFRICAN REFUGEES ON HOLD FOR MATERIAL SUPPORT [...] (SBU) Embassy Accra is home base for the Regional Refugee Coordinator Office, which has responsibility for refugee resettlement in 21 countries in West and Central Africa, one of only two such offices in sub-Saharan Africa. We take refugee resettlement issues very seriously and appreciate the [...] |
2007-03-13 17:59:00 | Embassy Accra | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF GH SL LI |
| 07BRIDGETOWN464 | ST. LUCIA - PIERRE REACHING FOR SLP HELM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a private conversation on March 30, deputy leader of the opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) Philip Pierre shared his views on the future of his party and evaluated his potential competitors in the ruling United Workers Party (UWP). Pierre indirectly admitted that he pl [...] |
2007-04-17 20:30:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL SL XL |
| 07BRIDGETOWN515 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO CAPPEL FOR TRAVEL TO [...] Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Kristen Cappel to travel to St. Lucia from May 21-25, 2007, for the purpose of attending the regional workshop for the prevention and control of illegal trade in ozone depleting substances and dependent technologies. 2. Per reftel, Embassy [...] |
2007-05-02 20:04:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA SENV TPHY KSCA SL XL |
| 07COLOMBO1554 | SRI LANKA: TRO DESIGNATION WELCOMED BY GOVERNMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-16 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER PREL SL |
| 07COLOMBO1565 | SRI LANKA: TRO DESIGNATION WELCOMED BY GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary and comment: Ambassador informed the Government of Sri Lanka the evening of November 15 of the forthcoming U.S. designation of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation shortly before Treasury's Washington announcement of the Executive Order 13224 designation. The government welcomed [...] |
2007-11-20 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER PREL SL |
| 07COLOMBO631 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY [...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a time when the environment for human rights, civil liberties, and media freedom is declining broadly as the conflict escalates. Our top priority is to press the government to put forward a serious power-sharing proposal that can help it win back the sy [...] |
2007-04-27 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON EAID SL |
| 07CONAKRY40 | Liberia Partners Forum -- Guinea [...] On January 9, Poloff delivered demarche on the Liberia Partners Forum (Ref A) to Ambassador Mamady Traore, Political Counselor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Traore saluted the U.S. efforts to support rebuilding Liberia but cautioned that any instability in the region would stymie progre [...] |
2007-01-10 10:08:00 | Embassy Conakry | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON PPOL PREL PBTS EAID GV LI SL |
| 07CONAKRY480 | Mano River Union Summit Unites Presidents But Produces No [...] (SBU) Summary. From April 27-30, Guinea hosted the Summit of Chiefs of State and Governments of the Mano River Union (MRU). The primary stated goals of the meeting were to consolidate peace, security, and stability in the MRU; resolve border issues; and revitalize the Secretariat of the MRU [...] |
2007-05-02 14:06:00 | Embassy Conakry | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ASEC PINS GV LI SL IV |
| 07FREETOWN109 | MANU RIVER UNION BEGINS SLOW RECOVERY [...] (C) During a February 8 meeting, Manu River Union (MRU) Secretary General Aliou Diallo told the Ambassador and DCM SIPDIS that after one year on the job, he continues to struggle to rehabilitate the MRU, but that he is cautiously optimistic about future prospects. He said that he has succes [...] |
2007-02-15 16:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID EFIN SL |
| 07FREETOWN112 | TFG01: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENT KABBAH SAYS CONTE'S [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with Sierra Leone President Kabbah on February 15. Kabbah was eager to discuss the situation in Guinea. Kabbah emphasized that the United States has great credibility in Guinea and agreed that Conte must cede power to a transitional civil authority in line with [...] |
2007-02-15 20:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SL GV LI |
| 07FREETOWN113 | TFG01: SIERRA LEONE OFFICIALS CONFIRM THEIR BORDER [...] (SBU) On the morning of February 16, Post learned separately from Sierra Leone's Office for National Security (ONS), the Immigration Office, and the Ministry of Defense that the border between Sierra Leone and Guinea remains open. Also, nineteen American missionaries crossed safely into Sierr [...] |
2007-02-16 14:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC PREL GV SL |
| 07FREETOWN12 | SIERRA LEONE: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR [...] Per reftel instructions, Post submits the following update to its 2005 Worst Forms of Child Labor report. 2. Background: Child labor is prevalent in Sierra Leone. Many children are employed in family businesses, subsistence farming, street trading, and domestic work. Within the country, [...] |
2007-01-05 12:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID SL |
| 07FREETOWN122 | TFG01: SIERRA LEONE ISSUES STATEMENT ON GUINEA [...] (C) Summary: Presentation of Ref A demarche requesting a Sierra Leonean statement on Guinea to President Kabbah's private secretary on February 20 and to the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the following day was overtaken by the Sierra Leonean and Liberian Presidents' visi [...] |
2007-02-21 20:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | GV PREL SL LI |
| 07FREETOWN131 | RESUMPTION OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA SERVICES [...] Embassy Freetown publicly announced on February 20 that it had resumed nonimmigrant visa processing after a ten-year hiatus. Residents of Sierra Leone no longer must travel to neighboring Guinea to apply for nonimmigrant visas at Embassy Conakry as they have done since Freetown last processed [...] |
2007-02-23 16:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | CVIS CMGT KPAO SL |
| 07FREETOWN132 | CONSULAR NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS [...] The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) recognizes its obligation to provide consular notification and access, and regularly notifies the Embassy when an Amcit has been detained or arrested. 2. Post can find no evidence that there is a recognized private right of action against the GoSL for [...] |
2007-02-26 08:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | CMGT CASC SL |
| 07FREETOWN143 | SCSL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWS COURTS OPERATIONS [...] (C) The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) Management Committee (MC) traveled to Freetown February 18-22 to meet with SCSL staff to discuss the Court's Completion Strategy and budget, ongoing concerns about identifying adequate sources of voluntary contributions to sustain the Court, the s [...] |
2007-03-02 12:59:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KJUS PGOV PREL UNSC SL |
| 07FREETOWN152 | Sierra Leone: Exercising Avian Influenza Response Plans [...] Summary: Sierra Leone launched a National Avian Influenza Emergency Preparedness and Response Action Plan in June 2006, but resource constraints have prevented effective implementation or testing. An Avian Flu Action Committee meets every few weeks, under the authority of the Avian Influenz [...] |
2007-03-05 19:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KFLU TBIO KSTH SL |
| 07FREETOWN153 | CHINA INFLUENCE INCREASING IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) China continues to expand its presence and influence in Sierra Leone as it looks to exploit the country's vast mineral wealth and fishing resources. Sierra Leone and China have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1971. GOSL officials traveled to China last year for the China-Africa Summit [...] |
2007-03-05 19:23:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ETRD EFIN ENRG CH ECON SL |
| 07FREETOWN165 | SEVENTH ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sierra Leone continues to make progress as it recovers from a devastating decade-long civil war that destroyed much of the country's infrastructure. In a little over a year, the level of awareness of trafficking in persons has risen considerably. However, trafficking remains a s [...] |
2007-03-08 17:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SL |
| 07FREETOWN202 | ESTIMATED TWO MILLION SIERRA LEONEANS REGISTER TO [...] (U) On March 18 Sierra Leone concluded a three-week voter registration period for the national elections to be held July 28, 2007. Deemed a success by the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), preliminary results estimate that between February 26 - March 18 nearly 2 milli [...] |
2007-03-23 16:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN205 | SIERRA LEONE'S DIAMONDS REGAINING SOME SPARKLE? [...] Sierra Leone's legal export of alluvial diamonds lost some luster in 2006 with declines from 2005 of 17.25% in value and 12.31% in volume, ending seven years of dramatic increases. This decline was partially offset by a 3.99% rise in the value of kimberlite exports, but overall diamond exports [...] |
2007-03-27 17:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EMIN SL |
| 07FREETOWN223 | SIERRA LEONE RESPONSE: BUILDING INTERNATIONAL [...] No summary [...] |
2007-04-05 08:42:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL ZI SL |
| 07FREETOWN246 | SIERRA LEONE: UNHCR DELIVERS USG MESSAGE TO [...] On April 17, Mr. Abid Mir, Deputy Representative, UNHCR Sierra Leone, informed Poloff that his office had received reftel USG announcement and had passed the information to all field offices. Mir said that repatriation is going well. He commented that as the June 30 deadline approaches, there [...] |
2007-04-17 19:35:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREF SL |
| 07FREETOWN258 | FREETOWN DELIVERED U.S. DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM [...] Embassy Freetown delivered points concerning the Non-Proliferationn of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Prepcom and presented a non-paper to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 24, 2007. Post will report any response septel. HULL [...] |
2007-04-25 18:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL KNNP ENRG MNUC SL |
| 07FREETOWN265 | DEMARCHE FREETOWN DELIVERED: PREPARING FOR WMO [...] Embassy Freetown delivered points concerning preparation and USG priorities for the World Meteorological Organization Congress to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 26, 2007. Post will report any response septel. HULL [...] |
2007-04-30 16:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV TPHY SL |
| 07FREETOWN281 | ELECTION DATE SLIPS AS PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS [...] (SBU) While there has yet to be an official announcement, Embassy Freetown has learned that the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) intends to delay the upcoming Parliamentary and Presidential elections from July 28 until on or shortly after August 11. National Electoral Commission (NEC) Chair D [...] |
2007-05-04 20:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN288 | PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE DISCUSSES DEPARTMENT'S [...] (SBU) On April 18, the Ambassador opened a one-day seminar organized by Sierra Leone's Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights. The seminar's agenda was based on the 2006 State Department's Country Report on Human Rights in Sierra Leone. Convened for the third consecutive year, most speakers [...] |
2007-05-09 15:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SL |
| 07FREETOWN29 | SIERRA LEONE: RESPONSE TO TERRORIST INFORMATION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-10 17:02:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS KVPR SL |
| 07FREETOWN290 | SIERRA LEONE: AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON UN HUMAN [...] (C) We received an assurance from the Sierra Leone MFA Director General, Ambassador Umaru Wurie, that he would send instructions to the Sierra Leone UN PermRep not to vote for Belarus in the upcoming Human Rights Council election. Per Ref B, this assurance was provided at the time of the demar [...] |
2007-05-10 14:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM UNHRC SL |
| 07FREETOWN293 | SIERRA LEONE: DEMARCHE ON KEY U.S. OBJECTIVES AT [...] On May 8, PolOff met with Deputy Minister of Health Ibrahim Sesay to deliver reftel points. Sesay said Minister of Health Abbator Thomas and a small delegation would attend the Assembly. Sesay promised to forward the points to Thomas as she had already departed Sierra Leone for Geneva via Lond [...] |
2007-05-11 12:02:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL TBIO AORC SL |
| 07FREETOWN326 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: HCOC ANNUAL DECLARATIONS [...] On May 22,Ambassador and DCM met with Sierra Leone MFA Director General, Ambassador Umaru Wurie and delivered demarche per reftel to encourage Sierra Leone to submit the annual declaration on space and ballistic missile policies prior to the sixth annual HCOC meeting. 2. Ambassador Wurie s [...] |
2007-05-25 12:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA MTRRE SL |
| 07FREETOWN330 | SIERRA LEONE PASSES NEW REFUGEE ACT [...] (U) On May 16, PolOff met with representatives from UNHCR to discuss Parliament's recent passage of a new Refugee Act and to receive an update on the current status of Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone. On May 3, Parliament passed a new Refugee Act that creates a legal framework for the GoSL to [...] |
2007-05-25 16:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM PGOV SL |
| 07FREETOWN333 | SIERRA LEONE: VIEWS ON UNICEF COUNTRY PROGRAM [...] In response to reftel, post generally agrees with the UNICEF draft country program document for Sierra Leone. Post has a positive working relationship with UNICEF. Post recommends UNICEF include additional information on the Trafficking in Persons Project within its Sierra Leone Child Protecti [...] |
2007-05-29 14:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN340 | SIERRA LEONE: 2007 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES [...] No summary [...] |
2007-05-30 18:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV PGOV KIDE SASC OPIC SL |
| 07FREETOWN341 | SIERRA LEONE: AGOA FORUM IN ACCRA JULY 18-19 [...] No summary [...] |
2007-05-30 18:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV EFIN EAID SL |
| 07FREETOWN349 | SIERRA LEONE: US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY VISIT [...] (SBU) U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Liaison Officer Doug Schneider visited Sierra Leone March 26-29 to introduce and discuss USCG port security programs and implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Ship and Port Security Program (ISPS) Code with GOSL officials. L [...] |
2007-06-01 16:23:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR EWWT PINS PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN355 | PARAMOUNT HELICOPTER CRASHES KILLING TOGOLESE MINISTER [...] On the evening of June 3, a helicopter operated by Paramount Airlines crashed while attempting to land at Lungi International Airport killing a reported 21 people, including Togo's Minister of Sport. News reports state most victims were members of a Togolese delegation attending a soccer match [...] |
2007-06-04 13:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ATRN EAIR CASC SL |
| 07FREETOWN360 | SIERRA LEONE: DEMARCHE ON NEW WORLD BANK [...] No summary [...] |
2007-06-05 16:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN SL |
| 07FREETOWN367 | SIERRA LEONE SIGNS DEBT RELIEF AGREEMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-06-07 17:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KTIA EFIN SL |
| 07FREETOWN375 | SIERRA LEONE DELEGATION TO AU JUNE/JULY 07 SUMMIT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-06-13 15:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KSUM SL |
| 07FREETOWN376 | AMBASSADOR DELIVERS TIP REPORT [...] On June 12, the Ambassador delivered reftel points and a copy of the 2007 report to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie. The Ambassador explained why Sierra Leone received a Tier Two ranking and encouraged the GOSL to continue its efforts against trafficking. Wu [...] |
2007-06-13 15:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN KPAO PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG ELAB SL |
| 07FREETOWN379 | PARLIAMENT PASSES CHILD RIGHTS ACT BEFORE DISSOLVING [...] (SBU) On June 6, Parliament passed the Child Rights Act. The legislation had languished in Parliament for months reportedly due to members' inability to reach a consensus on language to address guarded traditional initiation rituals, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and male circumcisi [...] |
2007-06-14 15:30:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN386 | IN THE NICK OF TIME: PARLIAMENT PASSES THREE GENDER BILLS [...] (U) On June 14, just days before it officially dissolves, Parliament unanimously passed three bills related to gender issues. The three pieces of legislation include: the Devolution of Estate; the Registration of Customary Marriages and Divorce; and the Domestic Violence Bills. With President A [...] |
2007-06-20 10:47:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN387 | SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE DELIVERS FIRST VERDICT [...] (U) On June 20, three judges in Trial Chamber II of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) delivered a guilty verdict against three former leaders of the renegade Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) who were on trial accused of war crimes and other serious violations of international h [...] |
2007-06-20 19:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN391 | MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR MAY 2007 [...] Post and Mission Activities/Press Releases: A. On May 4, PEN Sierra Leone, a literary club, in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Freetown, celebrated the 37th anniversary of Earth day with an essay competition. In a prize ceremony at the Embassy, the Ambassador said the cele [...] |
2007-06-21 14:12:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 07FREETOWN403 | SIERRA LEONE EMBRACES EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES [...] On June 28, the GoSL launched the Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI) by inaugurating its EITI National Steering Committee and establishing an EITI Secretariat at a ceremony at the Presidential State House. SIPDIS Endorsing EITI at the ceremony, President Ahma [...] |
2007-06-29 13:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EMIN ECON ETRD PREL PGOV SL |
| 07FREETOWN404 | PRESIDENT KABBAH WELCOMES LIBYA'S QADHAFI TO SIERRA LEONE [...] SUMMARY: Libyan leader Qadhafi visited Sierra Leone June 25-27. On his first visit to Sierra Leone, Qadhafi was warmly welcomed by President Kabbah and other top level GoSL officials. Qadhafi addressed a large gathering at the National Stadium where he formally donated 19 passenger buses to th [...] |
2007-06-29 13:56:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN412 | SIERRA LEONEAN EDITOR ARRESTED IN CONTROVERY OVER [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-03 13:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PGOV PHUM PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN42 | SIERRA LEONE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] Sierra Leone is not a state sponsor of terrorism. During the reporting year, there were no judicial cases involving terror suspects. There were no developments that would impact U.S. counterterrorism efforts. 2. There was no significant support for international terrorism or for specifi [...] |
2007-01-17 14:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC EFIN KCRM KPAO PTER KHLS SL |
| 07FREETOWN421 | SIERRA LEONE ELECTIONS ON TRACK AS CAMPAIGNING [...] (SBU) The official campaign period for Sierra Leone's August 11 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections began on July 10. With the elections under a month away, no party has emerged as the clear favorite to win. Indications are there could be a runoff in the presidential election between the [...] |
2007-07-12 17:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN422 | SIERRA LEONE: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL [...] PolOff spoke with representatives from the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), UNHCR, UNICEF, and the United Nations Integrated Office for Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) concerning UN efforts to combat Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) by UN peacekeepers and civili [...] |
2007-07-16 10:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM UN KPKO SL |
| 07FREETOWN424 | SIERRA LEONE: ICAO ASSEMBLY DEMARCHES DELIVERED [...] On July 2, PolOff met with Mohamed Bangura, Acting Director for the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, to deliver Reftels A and B demarches soliciting support for USG positions at the September ICAO General Assemby in Montreal. Bangura said he would take the points under consideration and [...] |
2007-07-16 14:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAIR ECON ETRD SL |
| 07FREETOWN436 | BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON SIERRA LEONEAN PRESIDENTIAL AND [...] (U) The National Electoral Commission has announced that seven political parties are registered to participate in the presidential election on August 11. The following is biographic information on the presidential and vice presidential candidates from the three main political parties, the Sierr [...] |
2007-07-23 16:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN439 | SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE HANDS DOWN SENTENCES IN THE [...] (U) On June 20, the three judges of Trial Chambers II at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) found Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara, and Santigie Kanu, three former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leaders, guilty of 11 of 14 counts of crimes against humanity (reftel). On Jul [...] |
2007-07-23 17:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR KAWC SL |
| 07FREETOWN443 | SIERRA LEONE: ENSURING ROBUST IMPLEMENTATION OF [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-24 17:23:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PARM KNNP SL |
| 07FREETOWN444 | SIERRA LEONE: PRESSING FOR UNIVERSAL ADOPTION OF [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-24 17:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN445 | SIERRA LEONE SUPPORTS USG IOM DG NOMINATION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-24 18:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC EUN PREF SMIG SL |
| 07FREETOWN446 | SIERRA LEONE: 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY - [...] (SBU) On July 24, the Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie. Sierra Leone will hold its presidential election on August 11. The official result from the election is expected on August 23. If no presidential candidate receives [...] |
2007-07-24 18:10:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KSEP OVIP UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN447 | DEMARCHE REQUEST: HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-24 18:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNESCO SL |
| 07FREETOWN453 | SUPPORT FOR SIERRA LEONE POLICE END USER [...] Sierre Leone will hold its national elections August 11. As part of election preparations, police advisors from the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) are working closely with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to increase its preparedness to respond to political violence. P [...] |
2007-07-26 16:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PINS SOCI ASEC SL |
| 07FREETOWN459 | FREETOWN GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RACHEL M. [...] Freetown welcomes the visit and grants country clearance for political officers, Rachel M. Conway, Cheryl O. Igiri, and Leslie A. Payne to travel from August 09 through August 13, 2007 for consultations with embassy officials. Visitors are urged to read the entire contents of this telegram, a [...] |
2007-07-30 18:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA LI IV SL |
| 07FREETOWN46 | IRAQ: GUIDANCE ON PRESIDENT'S POLICY ADDRESS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-18 18:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MOPS PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN464 | SPECIAL COURT DELIVERS GUILTY VERDICT IN CDF TRIAL [...] (U) On August 2, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa of the Civil Defence Force (CDF) were found guilty of war crimes committed during Sierra Leone's decade long civil war by a majority of the three judges of Trial Chamber I in the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). Fofana was convicted on f [...] |
2007-08-02 20:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR KAWC SL |
| 07FREETOWN471 | EMBASSY PLAN TO MONITOR SIERRA LEONE NATIONAL [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone will hold its Presidential and Parliamentary elections on Saturday, August 11. Post has devised the following plan to monitor voting centers in nine of the 14 districts on election day. Seven monitoring teams, comprised of one to three Direct Hire American Embassy staff acco [...] |
2007-08-07 13:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC SL |
| 07FREETOWN476 | SIERRA LEONE: CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE ELECTION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-10 12:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN477 | SIERRA LEONE: PROMOTION OF STANDING COMMITTEE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-10 12:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC SL |
| 07FREETOWN478 | SIERRA LEONE: TERRORISM FINANCE - DOMESTIC USG [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-10 12:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN PREL PTER KTFN SL |
| 07FREETOWN479 | SIERRA LEONE CALM BUT ANXIOUS ON THE EVE OF [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on August 11. These are the second national elections since the end of the decade-long civil war in 2002, and the first since peacekeepers departed in December 2005. Seven political parties are running for the presidency [...] |
2007-08-10 16:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN481 | SIERRA LEONEANS ENTHUSIASTICALLY VOTE IN PEACEFUL [...] (SBU) On August 11, Sierra Leone conducted successful presidential and parliamentary elections. As of late evening on August 12, preliminary partial unofficial results showed the All People's Congress (APC) leading with nearly 45 percent of the presidential vote followed by the ruling Sierra L [...] |
2007-08-13 17:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN482 | NEED TO CONTINUE ECOWAS LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR [...] The Economic Community of West AfricaN States (ECOWAS) has played a prominent role in providing logistical support to Sierra Leone's 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections held on August 11. The ECOWAS Stand by Force equipment and training depot, located in the Sierra Leone armed forces [...] |
2007-08-15 10:54:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN484 | SLOW ELECTION RESULTS CERTIFICATION RAISES CONCERN [...] (SBU) The slow process of certifying the results from the August 11 Sierra Leone presidential and parliamentary election results has election stakeholders concerned about escalating tensions threatening stability while Sierra Leoneans wait for the official announcement of the final results, wh [...] |
2007-08-15 17:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN487 | SIERRA LEONE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON TEXTILES [...] In response to reftel request, there is no textile/apparel manufacturing industry in Sierra Leone. There is only limited local production consisting of individual artisans who produce traditional hand-woven cloth to sell in local markets. All other textiles, much of which come from China, are [...] |
2007-08-16 16:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KTEX SL |
| 07FREETOWN493 | OPPOSITION PARTY VOICES CONCERN ABOUT RUNOFF [...] (C) During an August 17 meeting with the Ambassador, All People's Congress (APC) presidential candidate Ernest Bai Koroma voiced concern about the 2007 national elections turning into a replay of the 1967 elections, when the national elections, which the APC had won over the ruling party, were [...] |
2007-08-17 19:12:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN501 | PMDC CANDIDATE MARGAI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON [...] (C) During an August 23 meeting with the Ambassador, People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) presidential candidate Charles Margai appealed to the international community to implement additional mechanisms to ensure that the anticipated presidential runoff election scheduled for Septemb [...] |
2007-08-23 18:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN503 | NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION FINISHES NATIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) On the evening of August 23, the National Electoral Commission released the official preliminary results of the August 11 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. NEC Chairperson Dr. Christiana Thorpe announced the certified results will be published on August 25. 2. (U) In the parliam [...] |
2007-08-24 13:10:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN508 | NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES CERTIFIED [...] (U) On August 25, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) released the official certified results of the August 11 Presidential and Parliamentary elections (Ref A). Presiding at a news conference at the NEC Media Center located at the British Council, NEC Chairperson Dr. Christiana Thorpe anno [...] |
2007-08-27 15:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN534 | FREETOWN DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON US CARGO SCANNING [...] Embassy Freetown delivered reftel points regarding the new 100 percent scanning requirement for U.S.-bound maritime cargo to the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Umaru Wurie, on August 30, 2007. Amb. Wurie was responsive and noted t [...] |
2007-09-04 17:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EWWT AMGT PTER SL |
| 07FREETOWN535 | FREETOWN MONITORING PLAN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUN-OFF [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone will hold a run-off Presidential election on Saturday, September 8, 2007 between APC candidate Ernest Koroma and SLPP candidate Solomon Berewa. Post has devised a plan to monitor 8 of the 14 electoral districts on election day. Five monitoring teams comprised of one to thr [...] |
2007-09-04 19:48:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC SL |
| 07FREETOWN542 | POLITICAL PARTIES COMMIT TO PEACEFUL SIERRA LEONE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-09-06 11:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN547 | SIERRA LEONEANS CAUTIOUSLY PREPARED TO CAST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The official campaign period for the Sierra Leone run-off presidential election ended at 6 p.m., September 6, amid relative calm. Civil society successfully conducted an impromptu peace march without disruption and with only minor traffic congestion in Freetown. Both candidate [...] |
2007-09-07 20:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN551 | FREETOWN COM SEPARATE PERMISSION TO BE ABSENT FROM [...] Per reftels, Post Freetown provides the following information for funding the travel and per diem for Ambassador June Carter Perry to attend the 2007 AF Chiefs of Missions Conference to be held in DC: a) ITINERARY: DEP FNA 11 Oct 2105 SN 239 ARR BRU 12 Oct 0530 SN 239 DEP BRU 12 Oct 1210 U [...] |
2007-09-10 13:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT OTRA KCOM SL |
| 07FREETOWN552 | SIERRA LEONE HOLDS SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sierra Leone successfully held the second-round Presidential run-off election on September 8, thanks in large part to the professional and impartial conduct of the Sierra Leone security services and National Election Commission (NEC). Though observers reported isolated inciden [...] |
2007-09-10 17:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SL |
| 07FREETOWN566 | NEC PROCLAIMS APC CANDIDATE ERNEST KOROMA SIERRA [...] (C) SUMMARY. On September 17, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced that opposition APC Candidate Ernest Bai Koroma had won the September 8 Presidential run-off election. He will be sworn in the same day at 1700 GMT at the State House. Jubilant APC supporters thronged the streets, [...] |
2007-09-17 16:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN573 | IT'S OFFICIAL: ERNEST KOROMA SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT [...] (U) At 1700 GMT on September 17, Ernest Bai Koroma was officially sworn in as the President of Sierra Leone at the State House in Freetown. Outgoing President Kabbah, Vice President (and unsuccessful SLPP Presidential candidate) Solomon Berewa, and Foreign Minister (and SLPP Vice Presidential [...] |
2007-09-18 17:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN58 | SIERRA LEONE: 2007 INVESTMENT CLIMATE REPORT [...] The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) Ministry of Trade and Industry is actively working to increase trade and investment. 2. Investment Laws: A new Investment Code went into effect in 2005. It is designed to put Sierra Leone at par with western countries concerning the protection of compa [...] |
2007-01-24 17:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV KTBD OPIC EFIN USTR ETRD SL |
| 07FREETOWN581 | FREETOWN DELIVERED SECOND DEMARCHE REQUEST - UN [...] Per reftel A, Post informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of our urgent interest in seeking Sierra Leone's support for Ms. Gaer's candidacy to the UN Committee Against Torture. Charge spoke with the MFA Director General, Umaru Wurie, who did not convey GoSL intentions in this matter. [...] |
2007-09-25 15:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN583 | FREETOWN NOMINATION: 2008 SECRETARY'S AWARD [...] Embassy Freetown is pleased to nominate Sierra Leone's Chief Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Christiana Thorpe, for the 2008 Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage. We believe SIPDIS Dr. Thorpe has shown exceptional courage and leadership throughout her career, most especially du [...] |
2007-09-25 17:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM SL |
| 07FREETOWN586 | IMPLEMENTING TRADE BILLS PASSED BY OUTGOING PARLIAMENT - A [...] (U) SUMMARY. Sierra Leone's last parliament unanimously passed three trade promotion bills before the expiration of its term ending June 25, 2007. These bills include the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, the Registration of Business Act, and the General Law (Business S [...] |
2007-09-26 17:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM ECON PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN589 | AMBASSADOR PERRY'S ARRIVAL AT POST [...] No summary [...] |
2007-09-28 12:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | AFIN APER SL |
| 07FREETOWN591 | POST ELECTION SIERRA LEONE: VIOLENCE SUBSIDES AND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The week following the announcement of Ernest Koroma as the new President of Sierra Leone had its bumps but was positive overall. Incidents of violence broke out in the immediate aftermath but soon decreased significantly as people returned to their everyday lives. The media w [...] |
2007-09-28 18:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PINR SL |
| 07FREETOWN607 | RUTILE AND BAUXITE PRODUCTION: A BOOST FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH [...] (U) SUMMARY. Rutile and bauxite production are rapidly growing industries in Sierra Leone, with great potential to quickly become the country's most profitable exports. Since resuming operations in 2005, the Titanium Resource Group (TRG), responsible for the large majority of Sierra Leone's bau [...] |
2007-10-09 10:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EMIN BEXP SL |
| 07FREETOWN611 | SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE SENTENCES FOFANAH [...] (U) Summary: On October 9, the Special Court for Sierra Leone sentenced Moinina Fofanah and Allielu Kondewa, former leaders of the Civil Defense Force, to 6 and 8 years in prison, respectively. Time already served in detention was counted toward the sentences, meaning that Fofanah will comple [...] |
2007-10-10 18:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM PINR KAWC SL |
| 07FREETOWN612 | AMBASSADOR PERRY PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SIERRA [...] (U) Ambassador Perry presented her credentials to President Ernest Bai Koroma on Monday, October 8, 2007 at State House in Freetown during an informal session. She also presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor, Ambassador Thomas N. Hull, III. The meeting was attended by Vice Presiden [...] |
2007-10-10 18:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT APER PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN613 | EMBASSY FREETOWN ORGANIZES SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY IFTAAR [...] On October 9 Embassy Freetown organized a successful Iftaar program at a new community Islamic and vocational school, the Umar Bin Alkhatab Institute for Vocational and Technical Training and Arabic Islamic Studies. The Ambassador and embassy staff attended the Iftaar and shared take-home meal [...] |
2007-10-11 14:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KISL KPAO SL |
| 07FREETOWN615 | SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT SEEKING MORE MONEY AND [...] (C) Summary and action request: In a meeting with Ambassador and emboffs on October 10, Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Stephen Rapp, reviewed the budget and timeline for the Special Court. Rapp expects that the court will require at least an additional $49 million to contin [...] |
2007-10-11 16:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KAWC KDEM PHUM PINR PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN616 | NEW PARLIAMENT OPENS WITH POMP AND CEREMONY [...] (U) Summary: Amid impressive fanfare, and on schedule, the third parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone was officially opened on Friday, October 5 with an opening address by President Ernest Bai Koroma. Ambassador, DCM and AF/W Director Tom Dougherty attended the ceremony. The new [...] |
2007-10-11 18:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON KDEM PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN634 | POST ELECTION ATMOSPHERICS IN BO - SOME TENSIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: An October 16-19 visit to Bo by Embassy officers provided insight in to the dynamics of local adjustments to the new political reality. Some conflicts between APC and SLPP supporters have occurred in Bo, most recently on October 15 when APC supporters threw stones at the homes o [...] |
2007-10-22 16:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN637 | FREETOWN DELIVERED DEMARCHE: CANDIDACY OF DAVID [...] (SBU) Post delivered demarche October 23 during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Charge and political officer left copies of a dipnote with points drawn from reftel. 2. (SBU) A new government was elected to office in Sierra Leone in September. The new Minister of Foreign Affa [...] |
2007-10-24 14:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN638 | UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-24 16:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTIA PHUM PREL UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN639 | PRESIDENT KOROMA INVITATION TO PRESIDENT BUSH TO [...] The Government of Sierra Leone has announced that the inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma will take place in Freetown on November 15, 2007. Embassy Freetown has been asked to convey the following invitation from President Koroma to President George W. Bush, received October 24. The acc [...] |
2007-10-24 18:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OPDC SL |
| 07FREETOWN640 | HANDOVER AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-24 18:47:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN65 | SIERRA LEONE: SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL FINAL [...] (S) Embassy Freetown concurs with reftel FY07 program proposal "Improvements and Theater Maritime Safety and Security Information System Network" for $12.51M. HULL [...] |
2007-01-26 14:16:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | AL MK UP SL |
| 07FREETOWN651 | CANDIDACY OF DAVID WALKER FOR UN INDEPENDENT AUDIT [...] (U) Charge and Poloff made demarche to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zainab Bangura, on October 23 (ref B). Poloff followed up with a meeting with the Acting Director General at MFA, Mr. Andrew Bangali, on Friday October 26. Mr. Bangali was aware of the candidacy of Mr. Walker and had been in c [...] |
2007-10-29 18:23:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UNAUS UNGA SL |
| 07FREETOWN652 | DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS [...] (U) Political officer delivered demarche and fact sheet on Iranian sanctions to Andrew Bangali, Acting Director General, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 26. Bangali said that the information would be provided to the Sierra Leone National Security Council and passed on to the Cent [...] |
2007-10-29 18:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KNNR IR PARM EFIN SL |
| 07FREETOWN665 | STRIKE BY CENTRAL BANK WORKERS [...] (U) The employees of the central Bank of Sierra Leone went out on strike on Monday, November 5 in protest over salaries and benefits. The workers say they intend to come to work each day, stand in front of the headquarters building until 2:00 pm and then return home. The action potentially brin [...] |
2007-11-07 10:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EAID ELAB PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN670 | SIERRA LEONE SCORECARD AND REACTION [...] (SBU) Summary: Following recent elections, a new government has been installed in Sierra Leone. In the course of making introductory calls on the new cabinet ministers, the Ambassador discussed the MCC and provided copies of the scorecard to key Ministers. The delivery of the scorecard was se [...] |
2007-11-09 11:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL PGOV ETRD KMCA MCC SL |
| 07FREETOWN675 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE [...] (U) Summary: During an introductory call the newly appointed Minister of Finance and Ambassador Perry discussed a wide range of topics including: the strike by workers at the Central Bank, the urgent need to provide electricity to Freetown, the high rate of interest, weakness in revenue collec [...] |
2007-11-09 14:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EFIN PGOV EAID SL |
| 07FREETOWN676 | SCENE SETTER FOR A/S FRAZER TRAVEL TO SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) The inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma is an important milestone in the recovery of Sierra Leone from years of conflict and upheaval. Your visit to this country at the time of peaceful transition from one elected administration to another is an opportunity to underscore U.S. comm [...] |
2007-11-09 17:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV PHUM PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN684 | IMF TEAM COMMENTS ON SIERRA LEONE ECONOMY [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-19 14:10:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EFIN PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN685 | SIERRA LEONE 2007-2008 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-19 14:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM EFIN SNAR SL |
| 07FREETOWN686 | PROMISES OF ELECTRIC ENERGY FOR FREETOWN [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-19 14:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ENRG PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN688 | SIERRA LEONE INAUGURATION - ASSISTANT SECRETARY [...] (C) Summary. Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer, as the U.S. representative to the inauguration, met with President Koroma on inauguration day. Koroma reaffirmed that he will focus on efforts to fight corruption, strengthen justice and the rule of law. Assistant Secretary Frazer replied that th [...] |
2007-11-19 17:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON PREL PGOV SL |
| 07FREETOWN689 | BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON NEW SIERRA LEONEAN [...] The initial group of cabinet Ministers in the new government has been announced by President Koroma. The process of confirmation by parliament has been completed for most nominees. Three Ministers were confirmed on October 19, and 12 more confirmed on October 24. Biographic information for 15 [...] |
2007-11-19 17:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN70 | SIERRA LEONE: LIST OF INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] Per reftel request, Post submits the following names and contact information for five influential Sierra Leonean women leaders. Dr. Kadi Sesay Minister of Trade and Industry Ministry of Trade and Industry Freetown, Sierra Leone Tel: 232-22-235-127 Fax: 232-22-227-985 Mrs. Abbator Thom [...] |
2007-01-31 16:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PHUM PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN709 | WORLD AIDS DAY: WHERE IS SIERRA LEONE? [...] SUMMARY: As World AIDS Day approaches (Dec. 1), it appears that Sierra Leone's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is reportedly low, officially at 1.53%, although some sources believe it to be higher. Th military's prevalence is higher. Efforts to combat HIV/AIDS are coordinated by the National HIV/A [...] |
2007-11-28 16:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KHIV SOCI TBIO PREL EAID SL |
| 07FREETOWN71 | POLICE AND YOUTH CLASH AFTER GASOLINE INCIDENT [...] (SBU) Early on the morning of January 27, Sierra Leone Police (SLP) clashed with a group of youths in the Cole Farm area of Freetown near many Embassy residences after officers attempted to arrest a taxi driver whom they thought was in possession of illegal fuel. There are conflicting accounts [...] |
2007-01-31 18:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC PGOV SL |
| 07FREETOWN713 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] On November 29, 2007, poloff delivered dipnote and points, per reftel, to Bakie Doherty, Americas desk officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Mrs. Doherty says no decision has been reached, but she will present our viewpoint to the appropriate parties withi [...] |
2007-11-30 06:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA IS SL |
| 07FREETOWN714 | SIERRA LEONE'S PARTICIPATION IN NEW DELHI [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-30 06:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR KFLU EAID TBIO PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN737 | SIERRA LEONE: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION [...] Per reftel, Post designates Political/Economic Officer Amy N. LeMar as Terrorism Finance Coordination Officer (TFCO) for Sierra Leone and Regional Security Officer Bryan Scruggs as Deputy TFCO. TFCO Amy Lemar is not due to arrive at post until January 2008. 2. Contact information: Name: [...] |
2007-12-11 16:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ETTC PTER KTFN SL |
| 07FREETOWN745 | POST CONVENES EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING [...] In response to reftel, Ambassador Perry convened an Emergency Action Committee Meeting (EAC) on December 18, 2007 to discuss our current political and security situation in Sierra Leone heading into the holiday season. The Ambassador expressed concern over the current situation of rising fuel [...] |
2007-12-18 17:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER SL |
| 07FREETOWN746 | EXPLOSIONS IN DOWNTOWN FREETOWN [...] On December 20, 2007, the Embassy Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened to discuss a series of deadly blasts that rocked downtown Freetown earlier the same afternoon. Present were the Ambassador, DCM, RSO, CON, CLO, DAO, LEGATT, USAID, POL, and PAO. The blasts occurred in the bottom floor [...] |
2007-12-20 18:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER SL |
| 07FREETOWN747 | AMERICAN COMPANY EXPLORING POTENTIAL FOR IT [...] SUMMARY: Poloff met a four-person team visiting Sierra Leone to explore the possibility of software development outsourcing to Sierra Leone on November 30. The team, representing an envisioned start-up business named "Blue Ocean IT," was headed by AmCit James Kane, Managing Director of US f [...] |
2007-12-20 18:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PREL SL |
| 07FREETOWN749 | SIERRA LEONE: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE [...] This cable responds to reftel request for information for the Worst Forms of Child Labor Report. Most new information since the previous year's report is a result of the passage of the 2007 Child Rights Act. --------------------------------------------- ----- A) Laws and regulations ----- [...] |
2007-12-20 18:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI SL |
| 07FREETOWN754 | FREETOWN MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 2007 [...] Summary: Embassy Freetown's outreach in November 2007 included articles surrounding A/S Frazer's attendance at the inauguration of President Koroma, newly-arrived Ambassador Perry's courtesy calls on Ministers, the opening of two new American Shelves in Freetown, and the Embassy's commemoratio [...] |
2007-12-21 13:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 07FREETOWN79 | SIERRA LEONE 2007 NATIONAL ELECTIONS: SETTING THE [...] (U) This is the first in a series of cables intended to set the context for the July 28, 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, only the fifth multiparty elections in Sierra Leone since its independence in 1961. Post welcomes any comments or suggestions. ---------------------------- [...] |
2007-02-02 15:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM ELECTIONS SL |
| 07FREETOWN91 | MANU RIVER UNION SECRETARY GENERAL FEARS RETURN TO [...] (C) Meeting in his downtown Freetown office on February 8, Manu River Union (MRU) Secretary General Aliou Diallo briefed the Ambassador and DCM on efforts to resuscitate the MRU, which will be reported septel. When the conversation turned to the crisis in Guinea, Diallo, who returned February [...] |
2007-02-08 18:48:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PREL GV SL |
| 07FREETOWN93 | FREETOWN GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR [...] Post welcomes the visit of Mark Stamilio, U.S. Department of State, Special Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues. Mr. Stamilio will travel to Freetown to represent the USG during a UN Management Committee visit to the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) February 18-22. A [...] |
2007-02-09 12:54:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA AMGT ASEC APER SL |
| 07MONROVIA1139 | LIBERIA: RELATIONS WITH SIERRA LEONE INCREASINGLY WARM [...] (SBU) Summary: Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma used the opportunity of his first official visit to Liberia to strengthen ties between the neighboring democracies. End Summary. 2. (U) On his first foreign trip since taking office, Sierra Leone's newly-elected President Ernest Bai Ko [...] |
2007-09-28 15:51:00 | Embassy Monrovia | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PINR SL LI |
| 07STATE15302 | REAPPOINTMENT OF SCSL REGISTRAR [...] (U) This is an action request - see paragraph 3. 2. (C) Department shares concerns about Lovemore Munlo's performance to date as SCSL Registrar. Allegations by the SCSL's own representative on the UN Management Committee and an AmCit employed by the Registry in Freetown (protect sources) [...] |
2007-02-07 14:38:00 | Secretary of State | CONFIDENTIAL | KJUS KAWC UN SL |
| 07STATE166907 | SIERRA LEONE- TALKING POINTS FOR DECEMBER 14 [...] This is an action cable. See paragraph 2. 2. USUN is instructed to draw from the following talking points for the December 14 consultations on Sierra Leone. Begin points: -- The United States thanks Executive Representative Victor Angelo for his thorough briefing and for his except [...] |
2007-12-14 00:58:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PREL PHUM XA XY SL |
| 07STATE169391 | SIERRA LEONE - VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON UNIOSIL [...] This is an action message. See paragraph 2. 2. USUN is instructed to vote in favor of the UNIOSIL extension resolution scheduled for adoption by the Council on December 21. Full text of the resolution follows: The Security Council, Re-affirming its previous Resolutions and the state [...] |
2007-12-21 02:41:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PREL PHUM XA XY SL |
| 07STATE19838 | DEMARCHE ON THE CRISIS IN GUINEA [...] SUMMARY: The Department requests action embassies to encourage host country leadership at the highest appropriate level to press the Government of Guinea (GOG) to seek a resolution of the crisis, bring an end to the violence, promote dialogue, and seek a civilian-led constitutional transition [...] |
2007-02-16 19:55:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | GH GV ML MO MR PGOV PREL SL |
| 07ULAANBAATAR666 | DEATH OF MONGOLIAN PEACEKEEPER IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (SBU) A Mongolian peacekeeper, 21-year old Private B. Mungonshagai, died November 20 in Sierra Leone, reportedly of tuberculosis. He was one of 250 Mongolian peacekeepers guarding the war crimes tribunal. (Note: Mongolia also has forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.) Mungonshagai's remains arriv [...] |
2007-11-29 09:08:00 | Embassy Ulaanbaatar | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPKO PGOV EAID MG SL |
| 07USUNNEWYORK21 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] This is a guidance request - see para 7. 2. SUMMARY: In the coming weeks, the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee will convene a series of meetings, including a day-long discussion to be hosted by the UK Mission on January 17, to consider a series of issues that will impact th [...] |
2007-01-12 22:47:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 07USUNNEWYORK49 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: USUN M/R joined other Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee members (UK, Canada, Netherlands, Sierra Leone, Nigeria) for a day-long meeting convened January 17 at the UK Mission to assess the more than fifty recommendations to improve efficiency of the Special Court [...] |
2007-01-24 15:56:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 07USUNNEWYORK607 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] USUN has received a letter dated July 10, 2007 (full text - para 2) from Canadian Ambassador John McNee, current Chairman of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee, addressed to Ambassador Khalilzad seeking additional U.S. financial support for the Special Court. The Special Cou [...] |
2007-07-25 16:21:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 07USUNNEWYORK629 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] USUN has received a letter dated July 10, 2007 (full text - para 2) from Canadian Ambassador John McNee, current Chairman of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee, addressed to Ambassador Khalilzad seeking additional U.S. financial support for the Special Court. The Special Cou [...] |
2007-07-31 21:25:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 07USUNNEWYORK646 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: COURT PRESIDENT [...] SUMMARY: Sierra Leone Special Court President Judge George Galaga King told members of the Special Court Management Committee via telephone on August 2 that motions from the defense teams in both the Charles Taylor case and the AFRC appeal seeking additional time to prepare, if approved by th [...] |
2007-08-07 19:05:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 07USUNNEWYORK932 | SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT PROSECUTOR MEETS WITH [...] Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee met, October 25, with Court Prosecutor Stephen Rapp. Rapp, in the U.S. on home leave, had just come from meetings in Ottawa after addressing the Canadian Bar Association. He had also given a speech at UCLA. Rapp reviewed progress on ongoing c [...] |
2007-10-30 21:11:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | KAWC NL PGOV PREL SL |
| 07VIENNA2945 | AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT FISCHER TO MEET ASSAD DECEMBER 17 IN [...] (SBU) Austrian President Heinz Fischer's Chief of Cabinet, Susanne Gaugl, informed Embassy Charge December 12 that Fischer will meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad December 17 in Damascus, following a visit to Austrian peacekeeping troops in the Golan Heights "this coming weekend." Gaug [...] |
2007-12-13 15:37:00 | Embassy Vienna | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV AU SL |
| 08BRIDGETOWN346 | ST. LUCIA: GOVERNMENT TEETERS ON THE BRINK OF [...] (C) St. Lucia's leadership crisis came to a head in late May as two ministers threatened to leave the governing party and serve as independents and others weighed their options. With the government facing the loss of its majority in parliament, Economic Planning Minister Ausbert d'Auvergne re [...] |
2008-05-29 18:13:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINR CN SL XL |
| 08COLOMBO534 | MALDIVES HOSTS INDIAN OCEAN COUNTRIES FOR U.S. COAST [...] (SBU) Summary: In conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Government of Maldives hosted the "Partnering for a Safer Sea" conference May 19-22, at which Indian Ocean national and private maritime security and maritime industry stakeholders discussed regional security trends and issues. Offi [...] |
2008-06-03 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT MARR PREL PTER BG CN IN MA MP MU MV PK SL |
| 08FREETOWN102 | SIERRA LEONE 2008 TIP SUBMISSION [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone lost momentum in the fight against trafficking in 2007. The run-up to the national elections, and the elections themselves in August and September, 2007, distracted many government officials from their duties, including on the TIP front, and their interest and attention was n [...] |
2008-03-07 13:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SL |
| 08FREETOWN105 | SIERRA LEONE: FISCAL TRANSPARENCY UPDATE [...] (SBU) Pursuant to reftel, please find the following responses: 2. The budget is published, but is not available on the internet. A copy of the budget can be purchased for 2000 Leones (less than $1). Given the standard of living in the country for the vast majority of the population, even thi [...] |
2008-03-10 16:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID ECON SL |
| 08FREETOWN106 | SIERRA LEONE DELEGATION TO DAKAR OIC SUMMIT [...] On March 10, DCM spoke with Sierra Leone Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Umaru Wurie to inquire about the Sierra Leone delegation to the OIC Summit and note the request for a meeting with Special Envoy Cumber. Ambassador Wurie stated that Sierra Leone would be [...] |
2008-03-10 17:15:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OIC AORC SL |
| 08FREETOWN11 | FREETOWN MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2007 [...] Summary: Embassy Freetown's outreach in December 2007 Included articles surrounding the arrival of the Amistad and programs organized to raise awareness about it, Ambassador Perry's maiden press conference, the performances of Devin Philips and New Orleans Straight Ahead jazz ensemble in Sierra [...] |
2008-01-09 18:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 08FREETOWN121 | FREETOWN DELIVERED MONTERREY CONSENSUS: BACKGROUND [...] On February 28, Ambassador Perry spoke with Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura to convey information on the Monterrey consensus and the review process. She provided the Minister with a full text of the 2002 Monterrey consensus document and a copy of UNGA Resolution. Minister Bangura [...] |
2008-03-14 13:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON ETRD PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN123 | DEMARCHE: REQUEST FOR SOLIDARITY WITH KOSOVO AT [...] (C) Per request ref B, DCM delivered demarche concerning Kosovo's status at the OIC summit to Sierra Leone MFA Director General, Ambassador Umaru Wurie on March 11. Unfortunately, it was not possible to deliver the demarche before that date, as requested. DCM underscored the need to support l [...] |
2008-03-14 15:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNMIK PGOV KVIR SL |
| 08FREETOWN135 | SIERRA LEONE DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DESIGNATION OF [...] (SBU) On 19 March 2008, Post delivered reftel demarche to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and sent a copy to the Bank of Sierra Leone to convey information concerning the four Syria-based individuals designated under E.O. 13224. Post will advise of any response. PERRY [...] |
2008-03-19 17:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KFTN PTER ETTC PREL UNSC IZ SY SL |
| 08FREETOWN138 | FREETOWN MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2008 [...] Summary: Embassy Freetown's outreach in Freetown included articles surrounding the commemoration of Black History Month, including a discussion hosted by Ambassador Perry and film showings at the Kissy and Fourah Bay College Libraries. Ambassador Perry also opened a seminar on resources managem [...] |
2008-03-25 14:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 08FREETOWN150 | FREETOWN DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY [...] On March 26, Embassy Freetown delivered a diplomatic note to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to inform them of the appointment of Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr. as the Special Envoy for MANPADS. Post also provided relevant background information on effort [...] |
2008-03-28 12:35:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PGOV PREL PTER MARR PARM SL |
| 08FREETOWN154 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH DIASPORA PARLIAMENTARIANS [...] SUMMARY: On March 26, Ambassador Perry, the public affairs officer, and poloff met with 13 Members of Parliament (MPs) who have returned from the diaspora, as well as representatives of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Many in the group spent at least a decade in either the United Stat [...] |
2008-03-31 17:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN157 | MORE OFFICIALS THAN VOTERS: APATHY MARKS [...] SUMMARY: Sierra Leone's local by-elections to fill four Parliamentary seats vacated by Cabinet Ministers took place on March 29, and results are expected to be announced the second week of April. Polling centers for the lone Freetown seat in contention were observed by a small embassy observer [...] |
2008-04-01 13:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KDEM SL |
| 08FREETOWN163 | CELEBRATING WOMEN,S HISTORY MONTH AND LOOKING TO [...] (U) SUMMARY: To honor Women's History Month in Freetown, post hosted a series of events and programs aimed at empowering women with knowledge and providing forums through which to share information and ideas. The recent passage of three gender bills created a foundation and focus for most of t [...] |
2008-04-03 16:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAO KWMN PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN171 | CREDENTIALS REDUX [...] (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Perry presented her credentials in a formal ceremony at State House on April 7, 2008. She also presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor, Ambassador Thomas N. Hull, III. The meeting was attended by nearly all members of President Koroma's cabinet, including the [...] |
2008-04-09 11:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL APER AMGT SL |
| 08FREETOWN182 | AMBASSADOR PERRY CALLS ON MINISTER OF PRESIDENTIAL [...] (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Perry recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Presidential and Public Affairs Alhaji Alpha Kanu at State House, accompanied by the Public Affairs Officer. The discussion covered issues of mutual interest including an American company's presence in Sierra Leon [...] |
2008-04-15 15:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN183 | UNGIFT TIP WORKSHOP IN SIERRA LEONE: A LIMITED [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 8-9 2008, the Ministry of Internal Affairs hosted a workshop co-organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) entitled "Building Capacities of the National Task Force In Control of Trafficking in Persons in Conflict and Post Conflict Contexts." The sta [...] |
2008-04-15 17:16:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KCRM KWMN ELAB SL |
| 08FREETOWN184 | PRESIDENT KOROMA INTERCEDES WITH CONCESSIONS TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: As reported in reftel A and B, Seaboard West Africa Ltd., an American-owned company operating the only flour mill in Sierra Leone, found itself in dire financial straits due to the volatility of the world commodities markets and price ceilings on flour. These negatively impacted t [...] |
2008-04-16 16:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EAGR SL |
| 08FREETOWN188 | AMBASSADORS' WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS [...] Embassy Freetown is very pleased to support the proposed "Ambassadors' Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (AWASH) Initiative." 2. Sierra Leone continues to rank the lowest on the Human Development Index and is seventh lowest on the Human Poverty Index. About 52% of the people live on [...] |
2008-04-18 13:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV TBIO SOCI SL |
| 08FREETOWN189 | EMBASSY/FREETOWN SCIENCE FELLOWS REQUEST [...] Embassy Freetown greatly appreciates the opportunity to submit two proposals in response to reftel A, each addressing priority and urgent needs. With a small USAID/Sierra Leone budget, Post is limited in its ability to assist the new Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) in several key areas of nee [...] |
2008-04-18 16:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KSCA TSPL SENV EAGR SL |
| 08FREETOWN196 | SIERRA LEONE'S LIMITED REACTION TO PRICE INCREASES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite soaring prices of commodities, Sierra Leone is stable relative to its sub-regional neighbors. Though frequently reported in the media and discussed on the streets, inflated prices of necessities like flour and rice thus far have been met with public willingness to make ends [...] |
2008-04-23 17:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAGR EAID ETRD ECON PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN198 | UNREST IN KONO DISTRICT [...] (U) On 04/23/2008, it was reported that there was a serious disturbance in the Kono District of Sierra Leone. In the early morning hours some local youth went to an area that is under contract to the Kariba Mining Company in Koidu Town to mine for diamonds at the No. 11 Tailings. The youth w [...] |
2008-04-24 16:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN203 | FREETOWN EAC REVIEWS SECURITY IN LIGHT OF RISING [...] On April 29, 2008, the Ambassador chaired Embassy Freetown's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to review the security situation surrounding the rising food and fuel prices in Sierra Leone and the affect on the population. The potential for unrest is compounded by political tensions preparator [...] |
2008-04-29 17:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC SL |
| 08FREETOWN204 | RESPONSE: IMPACT OF RISING FOOD/COMMODITY PRICES - SIERRA [...] Please see the following responses keyed to reftel A. Note that responses reflect currently available information on this situation, and that not all of the suggested questions posed in reftel A were answerable at this time or applicable to the Sierra Leone context. ------ DEMAND ------ [...] |
2008-04-30 15:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV EAGR EAID ETRD ECON SL |
| 08FREETOWN209 | PRELIMINARY MEETING OF THE JOINT DRUG INTERDICTION [...] (U) SUMMARY: On April 23, a preliminary meeting of the Sierra Leone Joint Drug Interdiction Task Force (JDITF) was held under the leadership of the UN Senior Police Advisor. Poloff attended the meeting and provided technical assistance on possible next steps, as the task force currently has a [...] |
2008-05-02 13:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KCRM PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN215 | SIERRA LEONE: ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND [...] The Chief of Mission, working closely with the embassy team, is pleased to report significant progress in efforts to achieve the President's Freedom Agenda. As reported recently in the 2007 Human Rights Report, the Advancing Democracy and Freedom Report, and the Advancing Democratic Values Act [...] |
2008-05-06 16:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN221 | SIERRA LEONE NOT IN FOOD CRISIS - YET [...] (C) The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has yet to declare a food emergency, but rising prices and limited ability to mitigate the ensuing economic and social ramifications will lead them to do so in the coming days, based on comments by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to both the Ambassador [...] |
2008-05-13 14:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAID EAGR PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN222 | DEMARCHE: SIERRA LEONE WILL RECOGNIZE KOSOVO [...] No summary [...] |
2008-05-13 15:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNMIK PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN223 | ENCOURAGING SIERRA LEONE PARTICIPATION IN JUNE [...] (SBU) On May 8, DCM met withwith Sierra Leone MFA Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie to encourage Sierra Leone participation in the UNESCO Conference, and noted the particular interest in having Sierra Leone attend. DCM also shared a copy of the invitation letter from UNESCO Director Gen [...] |
2008-05-13 16:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | UNESCO SL |
| 08FREETOWN225 | POST REQUESTS FOOD AID FOR SIERRA LEONE [...] Sierra Leone is currently sitting at the bottom of the United Nations' Human Development Index and facing a severe food crisis as the price of its primary staple - rice - continues to rise on the world market. 2. According to calculations by the Mission team in conjunction with other stakeh [...] |
2008-05-14 16:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL EAGR ABUD SL |
| 08FREETOWN226 | DEMARCHE ON IMPLEMENTING TRAVEL BAN REQUIREMENTS [...] (C) DCM met with Sierra Leone MFA Director General, Ambassador Umaru Wurie, to convey information per reftel and deliver talking points to encourage Sierra Leone to prohibit the travel of designated Iranian proliferators as per UNSCR 1737, 1747 AND 1803. DCM also provided copies of the resol [...] |
2008-05-14 16:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP MNUC IR UNSC SL |
| 08FREETOWN227 | DEMARCHES RELATED TO NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION [...] (SBU) DCM met with MFA Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie to deliver demarche and related papers as requested per Reftels A-C for the NPT Prepcom meeting. Ambassador Wurie appeciated receiving the information but commented that Sierra Leone had not sent a delegation to the meeting. 2. [...] |
2008-05-14 16:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP ENRG MNUC PARM PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN228 | DEMARCHE ON IMPLEMENTING DUAL USE ITEM PROVISION [...] (C) DCM met with Sierra Leone MFA Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie to provide information and stress the importance of swift implementation of the enhanced dual use item providsion contained in UNSC Resolution 1803. Ambassador Wurie commented that Sierra Leone supports UNSC resolutions [...] |
2008-05-14 17:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP PARM NSG IR MNUC SL |
| 08FREETOWN230 | ON THE MFA'S RADAR SCREEN: INTERNAL GOSL DISSENT [...] (C) Sierra Leone's Brazil-bound Minister of Foreign Affairs Bangura met with Ambassador May 2 to pronounce on the upcoming Mano River Basin Union (MRU) agenda in Monrovia. Although Cote d'Ivoire's official acceptance was on the formal agenda, the region's food crisis was The "real" topic for [...] |
2008-05-16 13:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID SL |
| 08FREETOWN232 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON U.S. 60-DAY REPORT ON UNSCR [...] (SBU) On May 15 Ambassador spoke with Sierra Leone's Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Vandi Minah to present the U.S. 60 day report on Iran Sanctions, per UNSC 1803. Ambassador stressed the need to ensure robust international implementation and highlight the continued IAEA reports of Iran's fai [...] |
2008-05-16 13:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN AORC ETRD TRGY KNNP UNSC IR SL |
| 08FREETOWN235 | PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION [...] SUMMARY: President Earnest Bai Koroma officially launched the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) on May 19, 2008. This strategy represents a comprehensive approach to combating corruption and includes: objectives and activities for government ministries beyond the Anti-Corruption Commiss [...] |
2008-05-19 16:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN237 | SLPP RADIO SILENCED FOR THE MOMENT [...] (U) On May 8, Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) officials were informed that one of their primary media outlets, Unity Radio, had been silenced on the orders of the Minister of Information and Communication. Reasons cited for removing the radio's antenna, which effectively cut their nation-wid [...] |
2008-05-19 17:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN244 | PRE-ELECTION CONFIDENCE FROM CHIEF COMMISSIONER [...] (C) SUMMARY: This is the first in a series of messages leading up to the July 5 local elections in Sierra Leone. On May 15, Ambassador Perry, accompanied by Poloff, met with the National Electoral Chief Commissioner, Christiana Thorpe, to discuss preparations for the July 5 local elections. Tho [...] |
2008-05-27 14:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN251 | NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC [...] SUMMARY (C) On May 22, Ambassador Perry met with Godson Echegile, the new Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone. Also in attendance were the Poloff and the Nigerian Minister, Mohammed Bambale. Ambassador welcomed the High Commissioner, who arrived in Freetown two weeks ago. This is his fir [...] |
2008-05-30 11:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN252 | MANO RIVER UNION SECRETARY GENERAL ON RECENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On May 21, Ambassador Perry met with Abraham Boure, Secretary General of the Mano River Union (MRU). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent MRU summit in Monrovia. Besides Cote d'Ivoire's accession as a full member of the Union on May 15, the most notable outcome o [...] |
2008-06-02 12:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN255 | SECURING VOTES OF NON GENEVA-BASED IOM MEMBERS FOR [...] (SBU) On May 28, DCM spoke with the Director General of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Umaru Wurie to thank Sierra Leone for supporting the candidacy of Ambassador Swing as IOM DG. DCM urged that Sierra Leone ensure that an official delegate is present in Geneva to cast [...] |
2008-06-02 13:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC PREF PREL SMIG SL |
| 08FREETOWN256 | NOTIFYING SIERRA LEONE OF AGOA 2008 FORUM [...] (U) DCM met with Sierra Leone MFA Director General Umaru Wurie on May 8 to inform the Sierra Leone Government that the next AGOA Forum will occur in Washington July 14-16 and to encourage Sierra Leone's participation. On May 12, letters were sent to Minister of Trade and Industry Alimamy Korom [...] |
2008-06-02 13:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV EFIN EAID SL |
| 08FREETOWN257 | SIERRA LEONE: DELIVERED DEMARCHES ON FOOD [...] Per instructions refs A-C, Embassy Freetown delivered points to the Sierra Leone Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture to convey information on the President's Global Food Security Initiative and to seek their cooperation. Post also conveyed the importance of not imposing export rest [...] |
2008-06-02 13:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EAGR EAID SL |
| 08FREETOWN258 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED, SIERRA LEONE: GLOBAL MARITIME [...] (U) On 27 May 2008, the Defense Attache met with Brigadier Nelson-Williams, Deputy Chief Defense Staff and Commander Mansaray, Commander, Maritime Wing, Ministry of Defense to discusss the Global Maritime Partnership Initiative. Relevant talking points were provided. Both respresentatives state [...] |
2008-06-02 14:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID MARR MCAP PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN261 | SIERRA LEONE: MANDATORY REPORT ON FORCED LABOR AND [...] Forced and child labor are known to be problems in Sierra Leone, primarily for the provision of services and in diamond mining. Exploitation is also suspected in quarries, and the rubber, timber, and fishing industries. These particular industries are the subject of in-country research by an i [...] |
2008-06-03 11:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN262 | EAC DISCUSSES SECURITY POSTURE FOR JULY 4TH EVENT [...] (SBU) On June 3, 2008, the Freetown Emergency Action Committee convened to review Post's security posture in preparation for the Independence Day event to be held in the Chancery. The DCM, RSO, MGT, POL, DAO, USAID, A/PAO, GSO and ARSO were in attendance. The EAC agreed that the Embassy secur [...] |
2008-06-03 11:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC SL |
| 08FREETOWN267 | NEW UNIOSIL ACTING ERSG OUTLINES PRIORITIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: The new Acting Executive Representative of the Secretary-General (A/ERSG), Michael v. der Schulenberg, met with Ambassador Perry on June 2 to outline his priorities for his assignment in Sierra Leone. Given that his tenure is expected to last three months at most, the A/ERSG plans [...] |
2008-06-04 16:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNAMSIL UNSC SL |
| 08FREETOWN274 | AMBASSADOR PERRY VISITS SIERRA LEONE'S NORTHERN [...] SUMMARY: Ambassador Perry, accompanied by USAID and PAS staff, visited Port Loko and Bombali Districts in northern Sierra Leone on May 29, 2008. Included in the Ambassador's site visits were two Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship Program (AGSP) schools and meetings with key regional, local and po [...] |
2008-06-09 12:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL KDEM PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN283 | SIERRA LEONE REQUEST TO TRANSMIT RECOGNITION OF [...] (SBU) The Government of Sierra Leone has requested that we transmit, on their behalf, the Note Verbale ccontained in paragraph 4 to the Kosovo Foreign Ministry. The Note Verbale recognizes and congratulates the Republic of Kosovo on their independence. As discussed ref e-mail, a scanned copy of [...] |
2008-06-12 13:42:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNMIK PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN288 | SCENE SETTER FOR AMBASSADOR WILLIAMSON TRAVEL TO SIERRA [...] With the Special Court for Sierra Leone slowly bringing its work to a close, your visit comes at a crucial time to encourage Court officials to remain committed to the completion strategy, as well as to inform the process of determining the Court's legacy to Sierra Leone. ------------------- [...] |
2008-06-13 11:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM OTRA SL |
| 08FREETOWN294 | AGOA FORUM INVITATIONS DELIVERED [...] Per reftel, Embassy Freetown delivered invitations for the AGOA Forum to three Government of Sierra Leone ministers: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Zainab Bangura; Minister of Trade and Industry Alimamy Koroma; and Minister of Finance David Carew. Post will report ba [...] |
2008-06-16 16:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ETRD EAID OPDC SL |
| 08FREETOWN30 | HONORING WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN SIERRA LEONE [...] Summary: Following presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007, a committee led by two NGOs -- Search for Common Ground and Enhancing Interaction and Interface Between Civil Society and the State to Improve Poor People's Lives (ENCISS) -- convened a 2-day symposium, The Honoring Women Ini [...] |
2008-01-22 15:16:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN300 | ELECTORAL PRESSURE BEGINS IN SIERRA LEONE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-06-20 12:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KWMM PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN305 | APC AND SLPP RE-LAUNCH UNITY RADIO [...] SUMMARY: On June 12, Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma, of the All People's Congress (APC)-led government officially re-launched the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)) Unity Radio 94.9. The Ministry of Information and Communication had closed the radio station on May 8 (Ref [...] |
2008-06-27 19:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN313 | EAC DISCUSSES SECURITY FOR JULY 5 LOCAL ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) On July 1, 2008, the Freetown Emergency Action Committee convened to discuss the current situation leading up to the general local elections scheduled for July 5, 2008. The AMB, DCM, RSO, MGT, POL, DAO, USAID, CON, PAO, and LEGAT were in attendance. The EAC discussed several incidents of [...] |
2008-07-01 15:37:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC SL |
| 08FREETOWN314 | SIERRA LEONE LOCAL ELECTIONS: HISTORY AND CONTEXT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The 2008 local government elections in Sierra Leone, scheduled for July 5, represent the next step forward in consolidating the peace process that began with the Lome Peace Accord. Fair and balanced elections at the local level will build on the process of devolution of power fr [...] |
2008-07-02 08:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN315 | FREETOWN MONITORING PLAN FOR JULY 5 LOCAL ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone will hold local elections on Saturday, July 5, 2008. Post has devised a plan to monitor 8 of the 14 electoral districts on election day. Six monitoring teams comprised of one to three Direct Hire Americans accompanied by Locally Engaged Staff will travel upcountry to observe [...] |
2008-07-02 11:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC SL |
| 08FREETOWN316 | SIERRA LEONE'S JULY 5 ELECTIONS: MULTILATERAL [...] (C) As indicated in ref A, International Community (IC)Partners agreed to provide support and encouragement (as well as funding) to help guide Sierra Leone's July 5th local elections to the kind of success experienced in the country's 2007 national races. To date, these have included actions [...] |
2008-07-02 14:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KWMN PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN318 | CABLE RESPONSE TO KOSOVO DEMARCHE [...] (C) Post delivered Kosovo points regarding the Donors Conference and IBRD/IMF request for support to GoSL Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on June 27. In the absence of Foreign Minister and Director - General, MFA has not provided a response to indicate whether or not Sierra Leone will enga [...] |
2008-07-02 16:16:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNMIK EU YI SL |
| 08FREETOWN323 | SIERRA LEONE LOCAL ELECTIONS UPDATE [...] (SBU) As of 1500 hours, Sierra Leone's local elections have proceeded smoothly and peacefully. Emboffs observing the elections estimate voter turnout from opening of polls at 0700 hours to be 40%, though precedent from the 2007 Presidential run-off indicates a late afternoon surge of voters is [...] |
2008-07-05 15:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN328 | SIERRA LEONE CONDUCTS PEACEFUL LOCAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) SUMMARY: Per reftel C, Sierra Leone's local elections on July 5 were peaceful and generally transparent. While situational reports are still being shared among stakeholders and observers, initial information-gathering efforts indicate that the elections had relatively few technical irregul [...] |
2008-07-10 10:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN329 | SIERRA LEONE AGOA FORUM DELEGATION UPDATE [...] (U) Despite continued engagement with Government of Sierra Leone representatives, post is still awaiting confirmation on the composition of the AGOA Forum delegation. During July 10 meeting (septel), Minister of Finance informed Ambassador and Poloff that he thought Sierra Leone should have a d [...] |
2008-07-10 10:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV EFIN EAID SL |
| 08FREETOWN330 | (C//NF) NSDD 38 - U.S. DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY [...] (C) As Chief of Mission, American Embassy Freetown, I concur with the Defense Intelligence Agency's request to establish an additional position, that of a Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (Ops NCO) in the Defense Attache Office at post and consent to the NSDD 38 agreement. Please see resp [...] |
2008-07-14 09:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KMRS AODE PINR AMGT SL |
| 08FREETOWN331 | SIERRA LEONE CONFIRMS AGOA FORUM DELEGATION [...] (U) Post confirmed on July 10 that the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) representatives at the AGOA Forum July 14-16 will be the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Vandi Minah), Trade and Industry (Mr. Mabinty Daramy), and Finance (Dr. Richard Konteh), as well as the Sierra Leone Ambass [...] |
2008-07-14 09:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV EFIN EAID SL |
| 08FREETOWN332 | INDEPENDENCE DAY CONGRATULATIONS LETTER TO [...] (U) Following is text of a letter received by post on July 9, from President Koroma to President Bush on the occasion of United States Independence Day 2008. Original wil be sent by pouch to AF/W desk officer for appropriate transmittal. 2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: June 30, 2008. His Excellency Geor [...] |
2008-07-14 09:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN333 | SPOTLIGHT BACK ON THE ECONOMY WITH THE MINISTER OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Perry and Poloff met with Minister of Finance and International Development David Carew on July 10 to discuss the Government of Sierra Leone's (GoSL) economic and development agenda for the coming months. With the spotlight slowing dimming on the political realm in the [...] |
2008-07-14 09:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN337 | SIERRA LEONE EXPRESSES SYMPATHY RE: ISTANBUL ATTACK [...] (U) Following is text from a letter received by post on July 10, from Minister Zainab Hawa Bangura to Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice on the tragedy that occured at the United States Consulate in Instabul, Turkey. Original will be sent by pouch to AF/W desk officer for appropriate tr [...] |
2008-07-15 15:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN343 | UPDATE ON SIERRA LEONE DRUG SEIZURE [...] (S) To date, there have been at least 17 arrests made in connection with the 730 kg of cocaine seized in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 13. The General Manager of Lungi Airport and other airport employees are among those that have been taken into custody. The eight individuals initi [...] |
2008-07-17 15:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | ASEC CASC PGOV PREL SL SNAR |
| 08FREETOWN344 | "COCAINE SAGA" TOPIC OF GOVERNMENT PRESS CONFERENCE [...] Summary: At a press conference on July 17, members of cabinet of the GOSL as well as top-level law enforcement officers lauded their own handling of the plane that landed July 13 at Lungi airport carrying a large quantity of cocaine. The Minister of Information confirmed the detention of 17 in [...] |
2008-07-17 16:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV OIIP KPAO SL |
| 08FREETOWN345 | SIERRA LEONE: DRUGS AND THUGS - TAKE THEM OFF OUR [...] (S) Summary: On July 17, the Ambassador responded to a late night (7/16) meeting request by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance regarding the July 13 drug seizure case. The Ambassador also wanted to raise the visitation issue again and have it confirmed for midday July [...] |
2008-07-18 15:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PREL CASC SNAR MASS SL |
| 08FREETOWN350 | CHINESE AMBASSADOR WENJU'S TENURE IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) Please see the following update pursuant to reftel A: 2. (C) SUMMARY: Departing Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Cheng Wenju paid Ambassador Perry a courtesy call on June 24 to bid farewell and summarize his time in Sierra Leone. At a July 8 farewell reception, Ambassador Wenju and Sie [...] |
2008-07-21 16:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN352 | MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS BANGURA MEETS WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 10, Ambassador Perry met with Foreign Minister (FoMin) Zainab Bangura in Freetown. The Ambassador discussed Sierra Leone's recent activities in the international arena, including support for Kosovar independence, President Ernest Bai Koroma's statements condemning the situ [...] |
2008-07-21 17:02:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN353 | SIERRA LEONE REQUESTS HIGH LEVEL BILATS DURING UNGA [...] (C) Foreign Minister Launch Bangura made request to Ambassador July 10 for high-level bilateral meetings during President Koroma's participation in the 2008 UNGA. The GoSL, and its President, had earlier asked for an official visit to Washington. In light of timing, this did not appear feasi [...] |
2008-07-21 17:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA SL |
| 08FREETOWN366 | RUMORS OF CABINET CHANGES ABOUND IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) SUMMARY: While whispers of a possible cabinet reshuffle have been heard in Sierra Leone for several months, the whispers have escalated into a roar recently in numerous local press reports. While Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) representatives are officially denying imminent changes in t [...] |
2008-07-23 17:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN377 | MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS LAYS OUT NEW PLAN FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA), Zainab Bangura, convened a meeting of Chiefs of Missions and heads of UN agencies on July 22 to provide updates on the Government of Sierra Leone's (GoSL) activities, as well as provide a forum for the diplomatic [...] |
2008-07-29 15:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN379 | UNDP ENHANCING COLLABORATION & FOCUS IN SIERRA [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Perry and Poloff met with Samuel Nyambi, Resident Representative for UNDP, on July 10. Mr. Nyambi will spend approximately two months in Sierra Leone to provide needed guidance to the UNDP mission, which has suffered somewhat over the past seven months due to lack of le [...] |
2008-08-01 10:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN381 | LABOR UNIONS AND STUDENT CLASHES: TENSION ON [...] (U) Summary: On July 9, protests by the University of Sierra Leone Junior Workers, Union at Freetown campuses interrupted the final examination period. The primary cause of the strike, which generally occurs once a year, was to protest the failure of the government and universities to provide [...] |
2008-08-01 11:47:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGO ELAB KHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN382 | PRESIDENT KOROMA COMMITTED TO COUNTERNARCOTICS [...] (S/NF) At embassy request and following previous discussions with Presidential advisors Brian Gilpin and James Sampah Karona, Ambassador Perry, accompanied by the DCM, met with President Koroma 1 August to discuss the possible release of a DEA informant swept up in the arrests of narco-traffic [...] |
2008-08-01 13:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | SNAR PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN386 | RESPONSE TO IRAN P-5+1 TALKS [...] (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister Bangura of Sierra Leone on July 17. 2. (SBU) The FoMin supported the presence of U.S. Envoy Under Secretary Burns at the July 19 Geneva discussions. She understood the gathering was not one for negotiations but was, nevertheles [...] |
2008-08-04 15:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV IR SL |
| 08FREETOWN387 | SIERRA LEONE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT AGOA FORUM [...] Summary: Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) officials on July 31 expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for facilitating their participation in the recent AGOA Forum, and shared preliminary plans to capitalize on AGOA opportunities. Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperat [...] |
2008-08-05 08:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD SL |
| 08FREETOWN388 | PRESIDENT KOROMA'S FIRST MEETING WITH THE [...] (SBU) Summary: On 16 July 2008, President Koroma hosted the first official State House meeting between the Government of Sierra Leone and the international donor community since his inauguration in September 2007. The international community had requested such a meeting for most of the past y [...] |
2008-08-05 14:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV EAID PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN389 | COCAINE BUST: MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION SACKED, [...] (S) Summary: Transportation and Aviation Minister Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay was relieved of his duties August 4, pending the conclusion of the cocaine trafficking investigation. Sesay has vehemently proclaimed his innocence since the bust, despite a close family connection to one of the accused. XXXXXXXX [...] |
2008-08-06 16:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | SNAR PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN401 | SIZE DOESN'T MATTER: SIERRA LEONE INDUSTRIES FACE [...] SUMMARY: On August 8, CDA, Poloff, and Economic Assistant visited a textiles factory and a brewery. Though the companies differ considerably in terms of size, capital investment, and ownership, managers pointed to the same challenges impeding growth and profitability. A subsequent meeting with [...] |
2008-08-13 12:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EIND ECON EFIN SL |
| 08FREETOWN402 | SIERRA LEONE CLOSES BOOK ON LOCAL ELECTIONS [...] Summary: The winners of the local elections were inaugurated in regional events August 8 through 11. The swearing-in ceremonies were the last step in finalizing the results, ending a hectic 12-month period in which three major elections were held. This most recent round of elections were relat [...] |
2008-08-13 12:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PREL PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN403 | MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISCUSSES COCAINE [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, DCM, Poloff, and Deskoff met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA) and key members of her staff on July 31. The Minister promised to provide assistance in guaranteeing regular consular visits for the detained AmCit connected to the r [...] |
2008-08-13 13:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN405 | CONTE'S WIFE TRAFFICS FORTUNE ACROSS SIERRA LEONE [...] (S/NF) According to a well-placed source with contacts in the Sierra Leone security sector, the Guinean First Lady, Henriette Conte, was stopped at the Sierra Leone-Guinea border near Kambia on August 14. In her possession was reportedly over 2 kilos of gold bullion, three luxury vehicles, sev [...] |
2008-08-14 16:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | SNAR PGOV PREL SL GV |
| 08FREETOWN406 | KOROMA REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH GUINEAN DRUG ARREST [...] (S/NF) Summary: President Koroma called the CDA to a meeting August 15 to request USG assistance to arrest a fugitive trafficker linked to last month's seizure of 750 kilos of cocaine (reftel A) and now believed to be in Conakry. Koroma believed he could not make the request directly to the Gui [...] |
2008-08-15 14:08:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | SNAR PREL PGOV SL GV |
| 08FREETOWN414 | FREETOWN MEDIA PLACEMENTS FOR JULY 2008 [...] Summary: Embassy Freetown's media outreach in July included Ambassador Perry's remarks at the 232nd anniversary of the Independence of the United States, a statement commending the people of Sierra Leone for the successful conduct of the July 5 local council elections in Sierra Leone, and a st [...] |
2008-08-25 08:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO SL |
| 08FREETOWN416 | STAFFDEL VISIT TO SIERRA LEONE REVEALS CONSTANT [...] Summary: The three-day visit of Shannon Smith from the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sarah Margon from Senator Russ Feingold's office highlighted both Sierra Leone's development accomplishments and major obstacles to further progress. Visits with Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) offic [...] |
2008-08-25 12:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PINS SL |
| 08FREETOWN417 | PARTY FRACAS ENDS IN VIOLENCE FOR JOURNALISTS [...] (U) Summary: An altercation between SLPP and APC supporters took a nasty turn on August 13, resulting in damage to the SLPP Headquarters and the Freetown City Council Offices, looting, and injuries. Sierra Leone Police (SLP) on hand for crowd control allegedly intensified the situation by fir [...] |
2008-08-25 16:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN42 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SPECIAL COURT HONORABLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Poloff met with Honorable Justice Benjamin Itoe, Presiding Justice of Trial Chamber I, on January 30. Justice Itoe expressed his appreciation for the support provided to the Special Court of Sierra Leone (SCSL) by the United States Government, and reiterated his com [...] |
2008-02-01 12:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KAWC KJUS PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN421 | PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY RESIGNS OVER SALARY SNAFU [...] (C) Summary: Secretary to the President James Sanpha Koroma tendered his resignation on August 25 in the wake of a small-scale scandal surrounding proposed salaries and benefits for the current President and Vice President, and pensions for former Heads of State. A statutory instrument laying [...] |
2008-08-27 12:40:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN424 | SIERRA LEONE POLICE PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH TOP [...] The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) announced multiple transfers of senior officers on August 18, just a few days after SLP officers allegedly beat and robbed journalists covering a political demonstration (reftel). Assistant Inspector Generals (AIG) from across the country have been laterally shuff [...] |
2008-08-28 10:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN425 | SIERRA LEONE RESPONSE TO IRANIAN ENTITIES AND [...] Embassy Freetown delivered reftel demarche 21 August 2008. As of 27 August 2008, the Government of Sierra Leone has offered no response. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation officials stated that the Foreign Minister must present the information to Cabinet prior to respond [...] |
2008-08-28 10:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP MNUC PREL EFIN IR SL |
| 08FREETOWN44 | SIERRA LEONE STRUGGLES WITH RISING PRICES [...] SUMMARY: Although news reports generally exaggerate the situation, tensions between bakers, millers, and flour and rice importers are coming to a head due to steadily rising prices. In the eye of the storm is Seaboard West Africa Ltd., a U.S.-owned company that imports wheat, bakes bread, an [...] |
2008-02-05 10:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD ECON SL |
| 08FREETOWN447 | U.S. AMBASSADOR AND IMATT COMMANDER MEETING [...] (C) Summary: On July 28, 2008, Ambassador June Carter Perry and Defense Attache Leslie Bryant met with Brigadier General Jonathan Powe to discuss the International Military Advisory Training Team to Sierra Leone (IMATT) mission, progress to date on the professionalization of the Republic of Si [...] |
2008-09-10 18:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS SL UK |
| 08FREETOWN453 | UPDATED INFORMATION - SIERRA LEONE DELEGATION TO [...] Post received a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 2 that provided updated information regarding the Government of Sierra Leone's (GoSL) delegation to the upcoming UN General Assembly (previously reported reftel). The official GoSL delegation is listed below: H. [...] |
2008-09-12 11:17:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OVIP UNGA SL |
| 08FREETOWN456 | NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO SIERRA LEONE SINGS SAME [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Perry met with the new Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Qui Shaofang, on September 10, 2008. The discussion centered on areas of mutual interest and concern in terms of bilateral relations with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and development issues and opportu [...] |
2008-09-12 13:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR CH SL |
| 08FREETOWN458 | RELIGIOUS CLASH FALSELY REPORTED IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) Summary: Media reports of a clash between Christians and Muslims in East Freetown on September 5 were largely overblown. Though an altercation did ensue between congregants of the Calaba Town mosque and the Achiever's Church, it appears that the conflict was the result of noise pollution r [...] |
2008-09-15 13:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN468 | FOOD CRISIS CONTINUES TO THREATEN SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) Food security continues to be a threat to the survival of most Sierra Leoneans, despite some sentiments to the contrary. A June 2008 rapid assessment commissioned by the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Sierra Leone revealed that "the present cris [...] |
2008-09-22 11:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID EAGR PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN476 | REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - REPORTED HIZBALLAH [...] (S/NF) Embassy Freetown welcomes the information provided in reftel and requests additional information in reference to the shipment of a cargo container by Hizballah. Information as listed below, if provided, could help identify the consignee of the cargo and allow for a more thorough inves [...] |
2008-09-23 16:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | LE PINR PTER SL |
| 08FREETOWN477 | EAC DISCUSSES RECENT ATTACKS IN YEMEN AND PAKISTAN [...] (SBU) On September 23, 2008, the Embassy Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened to discuss the recent attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen on September 17, 2008 and the Marriott in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 20, 2008. Present were the Charge, DAO, ARSO, CON, USAID, A/PO [...] |
2008-09-23 17:59:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PINR PTER SL |
| 08FREETOWN478 | IMF VIEWS ON SIERRA LEONE'S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador Perry met with two International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives on September 18 to review Sierra Leone's recent economic and governance performance. The officials are currently undertaking an Article IV review that will be the basis for IMF policy recommendations. [...] |
2008-09-24 11:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN489 | Fraud Summary - Freetown [...] Freetown is a high fraud post. Despite much progress since the end of an 11-year civil war in 2001, Sierra Leone is ranked last on the UN Human Development Index. As such, socioeconomic conditions for many residents are poor and many people seek a better life elsewhere. There is a large dia [...] |
2008-10-03 09:48:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KFRD CVIS CPAS CMGT ASEC SL |
| 08FREETOWN49 | AMBASSADOR MEETINGS REVEAL INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: A number of themes are emerging from the Ambassador's recent meetings with members of the International Community concerning economic and political conditions in Sierra Leone. Specific common concerns were raised by the Guinean and Nigerian envoys as well as by the World Bank Repr [...] |
2008-02-07 15:35:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PINR PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN493 | THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE PENDING: KOROMA COMMENTS ON [...] (C) Summary: President Koroma marked the end of his first year in office by inviting government and international officials and members of the media to a speech on the anniversary of his inauguration. His September 18 was broadcast live across the country. The President took credit for, amon [...] |
2008-10-07 10:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON SL |
| 08FREETOWN505 | SIERRA LEONE COCAINE TRIAL UPDATE: FOUR SUSPECTS [...] (C) Summary: Four minor suspects have been granted bail in Sierra Leone's ongoing narcotics case (reftel), and may have their charges dropped. Key figures remain in jail, however, but the pace of the trials is slow. The drugs seized in the case have not yet been destroyed, and general cons [...] |
2008-10-16 16:48:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN517 | CONGRESSMAN SNYDER'S INTEREST IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (SBU) Recent Time Magazine and Washington Post articles on maternal dealth rates (one in eight) in Sierra Leone prompted Congressman Victor Snyder (D - Arkansas) to contact Ambassador (October 23) on the country's development status. Representative Snyder asked about the overall health condit [...] |
2008-10-24 12:56:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI EAID OREP SL |
| 08FREETOWN519 | REQUEST FOR ASSESSMENT OF REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) Summary: U.S. Embassy Freetown requests Department and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to conduct a feasibility assessment of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The assessment concerns entry into the Africa Contingency Operations Technical Assistance (ACOTA) Program. [...] |
2008-10-27 16:54:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS MCAP PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN521 | AMBASSADOR GAINS SUPPORT OF MINISTER OF FINANCE TO [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Perry's meetings with Finance Minister David Carew on September 15 and October 27 to discuss tax relief for diplomatic missions met with success when the Minister agreed to lift the "road usage" tax, with a potential savings for the Embassy of more than 130,000 dollars [...] |
2008-10-30 16:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EAID SOCI MASS SL |
| 08FREETOWN524 | OCTOBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: This is the first in a series of monthly political reporting cables providing a brief snapshot on notable current events and party politics. Questions about the items listed can be directed to Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar (lemaran@state.gov). End Summary. -------------- [...] |
2008-11-03 17:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN529 | COCAINE CASE PROGRESS: GOVERNMENT TIPS THEIR HAND [...] (S) Summary: Meetings with the President of Sierra Leone and the Minister of Foreign Affairs the week of October 27 brought incremental progress in propelling the cocaine case out of its current intertia (reftel). Though the meeting between President Koroma, Ambassador, and DEA officials seeme [...] |
2008-11-07 12:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN530 | MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISHES ON FELLOW [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador and Poloff met with Foreign Affairs Minister Zainab Bangura on October 30. Bangura discussed travel schedules, the need for donor coordination, and outcomes from the President's various recent meetings in New York and Washington. She also spoke candidly about challenges [...] |
2008-11-07 12:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN531 | U.S. Electoral Process Excites Sierra Leoneans [...] Summary: On the afternoon and evening of November 4, Ambassador Perry welcomed visitors to a 6-station exhibit on the United States Presidential Elections. In total, nearly 400 people joined Embassy staff to learn about the different aspects of the process and to watch televised coverage of [...] |
2008-11-07 14:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO KDEM SL |
| 08FREETOWN533 | UK SUPPORTS SIERRA LEONE ADMISSION INTO ACOTA [...] (C) The United Kingdom-led International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT) to Sierra Leone strongly encourages support be provided to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) via the ACOTA program. IMATT believes that the RSLAF would greatly benefit from peacekeeping training and [...] |
2008-11-10 16:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS ASEC MCAP PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN543 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON EXPULSIONS IN BOLIVIA [...] (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel talking points to Acting Foreign Minister Vandi Minah on November 12. The Acting Foreign Minister was aware of the event, and agreed that issues impacting the effectiveness of drug interdiction in Bolivia and neighboring countries has ramifications for many re [...] |
2008-11-13 15:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN547 | HAGUE ADOPTION: NO SIERRA LEONE ABUSE REGISTRY [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-21 08:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | CVIS CASC KOCI CMGT SL |
| 08FREETOWN548 | SHADY MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL ON INDEFINITE LEAVE OF [...] (C) Ambassador Umaru Wurie, a career member of Sierra Leone's foreign service, requested a leave of absence for personal reasons from his post as Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on November 9, effective November 30. No date was given for resumption of duties, and he h [...] |
2008-11-24 10:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN549 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR [...] (U) Ambassador delivered reftel points on November 24 to Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Bangura. Bangura expressed great interest in Sierra Leone's participation in the partnership, and would like further information on how her government can be involved, and at what level. She stated that [...] |
2008-11-24 15:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EAGR PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN550 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNGA FIRST COMMITTEE RESOLUTION [...] (U) Ambassador delivered reftel points to Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Bangura on November 24. Bangura responded that Sierra Leone has felt the impact of weapons, and strongly supports compliance on issues of non-proliferation, arms imitation, and disarmament. PERRY [...] |
2008-11-24 15:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | MNUC PARM PREL UNGA SL |
| 08FREETOWN551 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] (U) Ambassador delivered reftel points in meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Bangura on November 24. Bangura stated that she will discuss this issue with the Government of Sierra Leone representative to the UN, but that Sierra Leone has a general policy to abstain on these issues. [...] |
2008-11-24 15:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL UNGA SL |
| 08FREETOWN552 | DIP NOTE DELIVERED: EXPULSION OF PEREZ AND [...] (C) Ambassador personally delivered diplomatic note (reftels A/B) to Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura on November 24, reiterating that the U.S. Government is prepared to remove two indicted individuals with President Koroma's permission. Ambassador reminded Bangura that cases against the other [...] |
2008-11-24 16:02:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | CJAN PINR CASC PREL CPAS CVIS KCRM SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN558 | FILLING THE VOID IN THE SCSL APPEALS CHAMBER [...] (C) Summary: Poloff met with a highly-placed source within the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) on November 25 to discuss the implications of Justice Raja Fernando's death on the Appeals Chamber. Source commented that, beyond the legal issues themselves, members of the Chamber select the C [...] |
2008-11-26 15:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KAWC KJUS PHUM PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN559 | SIERRA LEONE WILLING BUT NOT READY TO CONTRIBUTE [...] (C) In response to reftel A, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) stated its willingness to contribute battalions to peacekeeping operations, including the Africa Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), if properly equipped and trained prior to departure. The RSLAF is primed for Africa [...] |
2008-12-01 14:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KPKO MASS MCAP PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN560 | "WE HAVE THE WILL AND THE ENERGY" - GOSL MAKES [...] (C) Summary: Presidential Affairs Minister Alhaji Alpha Kanu paid a surprise call on Ambassador Perry on November 28 to advocate for Sierra Leone's inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) program. He informed the Ambassador that he visited the MCC offices on November 24 to disc [...] |
2008-12-01 15:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN563 | NOVEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (C) Summary: In November, the Freetown political scene focused on government budgeting and management issues. The 2009 budget, released November 21, revealed that the global economic crisis is having only small effects in Sierra Leone at the moment. The real GDP growth rate and national inflat [...] |
2008-12-01 16:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN566 | DEMONSTRATION AT BARRACKS FORCES HIV/AIDS EVENT [...] (U) Summary: On December 3, an embassy-sponsored HIV/AIDS outreach event at the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces' (RSLAF) Wilberforce Barracks was postponed due to demonstrations by a group of discharged soldiers angry about their limited compensation. PAE Depot representatives handling l [...] |
2008-12-04 08:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MCAP PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN578 | SCENESETTER FOR CODEL NELSON DECEMBER 15 VISIT TO [...] (U) Embassy Freetown looks forward to welcoming you to Sierra Leone. Your visit comes at a prescient time in our bilateral relationship with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), as we attempt to support its ongoing efforts to re-build and flourish. Sierra Leone is known worldwide as a countr [...] |
2008-12-11 17:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL OREP MARR SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN580 | COCAINE CASE CRAWLS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura on December 8 for an update on the pending expulsion request for two individuals to face narcotics charges in a U.S. Court (reftel B). President Koroma is still considering the request, made November 24, and told Bangura that he w [...] |
2008-12-11 18:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SNAR SL |
| 08FREETOWN590 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNSC SOMALIA RESOLUTIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-17 16:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PREL PHUM SO SL |
| 08FREETOWN591 | DEMARCHE REQUEST: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL ELECTION [...] (C) Ambassador reviewed fully the candidacy of Egyptian Culture Minister Hosni for the post of UNESCO Director General with Acting Foreign Minister Vandi Minah on 12/18. 2. (C) Minah was attentive to our concerns, especially the issue of a stymied free press or burning of books. The idea [...] |
2008-12-18 16:56:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | UNESCO PREL PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN592 | IRAN IN THIRD COMMITTEE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-18 16:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN593 | IRAN PUSHES FUNDEMENTALIST AGENDA ON SIERRA LEONE [...] (S/NF) Summary: During a December 8 meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Bangura gave further details about Sierra Leone's bilateral relationship with Iran. Notably, she discussed the mounting pressure on small African countries to accept an African "consensus" regarding relations with I [...] |
2008-12-18 17:08:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN594 | SENATOR NELSON TALKS DRUGS, SOFA, WITH PRESIDENT [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador and Senator Bill Nelson met with President Koroma on December 15 to discuss security sector issues, including the increase in narcotics trafficking in Sierra Leone and the long-pending Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). While Koroma wouldn't commit to taking immediate a [...] |
2008-12-18 17:08:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SNAR MASS SL |
| 08FREETOWN598 | SIERRA LEONE REACTS TO CONTE'S DEATH: INITIAL [...] The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and citizens are quietly responding to early news of President Conte's death. The GoSL is preparing to mobilize security forces to patrol the borders, while publicly expressing sympathy for the loss. Keeping criticism of Conte's regime to a minimum, he was [...] |
2008-12-23 15:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SL |
| 08FREETOWN599 | FREETOWN: EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS RAMIFICATIONS OF [...] (SBU) EAC Freetown was convened on December 23 to discuss the possible ramifications of Guinean President Conte's death to security in Sierra Leone. Though Conakry is reported to be calm, EAC is concerned about potentially rapid deteriorations to the situation that may result in spillover effec [...] |
2008-12-23 16:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC AMGT CASC SL |
| 08FREETOWN6 | SIERRA LEONE MINISTER OF FINANCE PRESENTS [...] (U) Minister of Finance and Economic Development David Carew presented the new Sierra Leone administration's medium-term budget to parliament -- covering 2008-2010 -- on December 21, 2007, along with a comprehensive overview of Sierra Leone's economic and financial status and his government's [...] |
2008-01-07 17:56:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV SL |
| 08FREETOWN602 | GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? PART I: CAMARA [...] (C) Summary: The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) is cautiously establishing some linkages with the Guinean junta, including a meeting between President Koroma and Vice President General Mamadouba Toto Camara following Lansana Conte's funeral on December 26. Emboffs learned on December 28 tha [...] |
2008-12-29 15:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LY SL |
| 08FREETOWN604 | GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? PART II: QADHAFI [...] (C) Summary: Per reftel, on December 29 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi will visit Sierra Leone from December 30 through January 2. Though his intentions have yet to be shared with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), officials believe the purpose [...] |
2008-12-29 16:12:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LY SL |
| 08FREETOWN605 | QADHAFI AND WADE PULL SIERRA LEONE'S PUPPET STRINGS [...] (C) Summary: Though rumors abounded throughout Freetown on the evening of December 29 and morning of December 30 that the reftel A visit was canceled, Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi will reportedly land at Lungi Airport on a private plane at approximately 1530 local time. Following a brief stop [...] |
2008-12-30 15:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR LY SL |
| 08FREETOWN608 | A HAZY SHADE OF INTEGRITY: SIERRA LEONE WELCOMES [...] (C) Summary: The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) released a press report December 31, outlining President Koroma's meeting with representatives of the Guinean junta, including Vice President General Mamadouba Toto Camara on December 30. Text of the report is contained in para 2. Though, per [...] |
2008-12-31 15:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 08FREETOWN62 | SCSL MEETINGS: NEW HOPE FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Poloff met with Honorable Justice George Galaga King, President of the Special Court of Sierra Leone (SCSL), and with Herman von Hebel and Binta Mansaray, Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the SCSL, respectively, on separate occasioQon February 7. While the SCSL rep [...] |
2008-02-15 13:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KAWC KJUS UNSC SL |
| 08FREETOWN71 | TELECOMMUNICATION IN SIERRA LEONE: MYOPIC POLICY [...] No summary [...] |
2008-02-25 15:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC ECPS EINT SL |
| 08FREETOWN72 | SCSL APPEALS CHAMBER DELIVERS FINAL JUDGMENT IN AFRC CASE [...] SUMMARY: The Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) handed down its first judgment on February 22, upholding lengthy sentences for three former leaders of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). The Court effectively dismissed all of the Defense grounds of appeal, [...] |
2008-02-25 17:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KAWC KJUS PHUM SL |
| 08FREETOWN77 | SIERRA LEONE: FY 07 AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL SELF-HELP [...] No summary [...] |
2008-02-26 16:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON SL |
| 08STATE111310 | SOUTH STREAM - BACKGROUND FOR POSTS' USE [...] (U) Department is aware that posts do or may contend with questions about South Stream. In the interest of keeping posts apprised of Washington thinking on this issue, we offer the below background on South Stream for your use in discussing the issue with host governments. This background su [...] |
2008-10-17 23:23:00 | Secretary of State | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON PGOV EU BG GR HU RS SL SB IT AS |
| 08STATE13003 | REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (LEAHY) VETTING DEFENSE [...] The Department of State has reviewed its files and finds that as of February, 2008, it possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the officers listed below: Name; Mrs. Lauratu N.((JOHNSON)) Budget Analyst DOB: 17 August 1971 POB: Freetown, Sierra Leone Governm [...] |
2008-02-07 20:14:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | SL PHUM |
| 08STATE48119 | SIERRA LEONE: TALKING POINTS FOR MAY 7 BRIEFING [...] USUN is instructed to draw from the following talking points for the May 7 UN Security Council briefing and consultation on Sierra Leone. Begin points: -- The United States commends the work of UNIOSIL and the UN Country Team in Sierra Leone for all the support they have provided to the go [...] |
2008-05-06 22:40:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PREL PHUM SL XA XY |
| 08STATE57572 | USUN GUIDANCE: SIERRA LEONE DELISTING REQUEST [...] Department authorizes USUN to support the delisting request submitted by the Government of Sierra Leone (names in para 2) on 1 May 2008 to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1132 (1997) concerning Sierra Leone. These twenty-four individuals were associated with [...] |
2008-05-29 19:17:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC PREL EFIN KTFN PTER UNSC SL |
| 08USUNNEWYORK113 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE [...] (U) Mission welcomes the proposed visit on February 07 (reftel) of S/WCI Deputy Director Milbert Shin and S/WCI officer Jason Gorey to accompany USUN/MR representative to meeting of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee. This meeting, to be hosted by the Canadian Mission, as Man [...] |
2008-02-07 16:03:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 08USUNNEWYORK132 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: MANAGEMENT [...] (U) SUMMARY: S/WCI Deputy Milbert Shin and USUN/MR represented the U.S. at a February 7 meeting of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee that focused on issues expected to be addressed during the Committee's upcoming February 14-22 trip to The Hague and Freetown. Shin and USUN/ [...] |
2008-02-13 16:34:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 08USUNNEWYORK373 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: LEGACY PROJECT [...] SUMMARY: Former U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Joe Melrose (Ret.), currently serving as a consultant to the Sierra Leone Special Court on legacy issues, briefed members of the Special Court Management Committee on April 22 regarding possible uses of the Court facilities in Freetown once the [...] |
2008-04-24 15:46:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 08USUNNEWYORK392 | SIERRA LEONE: ENSURING UNIOSIL CLOSES THE RIGHT WAY [...] This is an action request. See paras 2-3. 2. (U) The United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) was extended until September 30, 2008 by UNSCR 1793 (2007). UNSCR 1793 required that a completion strategy for UNIOSIL be set out by January 31, 2008, and that the Secretary Gen [...] |
2008-05-02 15:04:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPKO UNSC SL |
| 08USUNNEWYORK44 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: FINANCIAL [...] SUMMARY: USUN and other members of the Sierra Leone Special Court Management Committee met January 15 to discuss ongoing challenges facing the Court, including uncertainties over the source of adequate voluntary contributions to sustain Court activity throughout 2008 and continued tensions b [...] |
2008-01-17 15:03:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 08USUNNEWYORK70 | UN/SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT: PROSECUTOR RAPP [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sierra Leone Special Court Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp (American), in New York for press briefings, meetings with UN officials, and non-Court business, met January 22 with members of the Special Court Management Committee, including USUN. Rapp reported that the prosecution w [...] |
2008-01-23 15:07:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC KJUS KDEM PGOV SL XA |
| 08USUNNEWYORK949 | UNGA: DEBATE ON THE PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION [...] On October 9 and 13 the General Assembly (GA) considered the Peacebuilding Commission's Report (A/63/92) and the Secretary-General's Report on the Peacebuilding Fund (A/63/218), which covered July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. 2. In his opening statement, GA President (PGA) Miguel d'Escoto no [...] |
2008-10-17 22:22:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC KPKO BY PU SL CT |
| 09ACCRA70 | Ghana Refugee Update [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On January 16, 2009, PRM (Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration) Africa Office Director, PRM/AFR West Africa Program Officer, and Accra Refugee Coordinator and Refugee Assistant visited the Krisan Refugee Camp and the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in the company of UNHCR [...] |
2009-01-30 10:45:00 | Embassy Accra | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL LI GH SL |
| 09AITTAIPEI258 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF U.S.-BASED TAMIL [...] (U) Per reftel, Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) issued a formal instruction on March 5, 2009, providing all banking institutions with information on the U.S. Department of the Treasury's designation of the U.S.-based Tamil Foundation under Executive Order 13224 for supporting te [...] |
2009-03-09 09:46:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN KTFN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID ECON SL TW |
| 09AITTAIPEI335 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF U.S.-BASED TAMIL [...] Per reftels, the Central Bank of the ROC (Taiwan) has searched, but not found, any bank record of foreign exchange receipts from or payment to the U.S.-based Tamil Foundation, which on March 5, 2009 was designated under Executive Order 13224 for supporting terrorism. YOUNG [...] |
2009-03-25 05:50:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID ECON SL TW |
| 09AITTAIPEI509 | Taiwan Enacts New Anti-Terrorism Finance Law [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. On April 14, Taiwan's legislature passed a bill that authorizes financial regulators to take enhanced action against terrorist financing, including freezing bank accounts and financial transactions associated with designated terrorists, entities, and countries. In the past, onl [...] |
2009-04-29 09:59:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KTFN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID ECON SL TW |
| 09ASHGABAT263 | TURKMENISTAN: DEMARCHE ON DOMESTIC DESIGNATION OF [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-26 07:14:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KTFN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID SL TX |
| 09BERLIN268 | NATO/CROATIA: GERMANY PRESSING THE SLOVENES AT [...] (C) Post delivered reftel points to Foreign Office DAS-equivalent Emily Haber and MFA NATO Enlargement officer Ludwig Blaurock and asked that Germany weigh in with the Slovenians to encourage them to find a legal way to truncate the referendum process so that they can deposit their instrument [...] |
2009-03-06 11:39:00 | Embassy Berlin | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR NATO SL HR GM |
| 09BRIDGETOWN660 | SOUTHCOM ASSESSMENTS ON ST.LUCIA HOSPITAL [...] (C) The three assessments prepared by SOUTHCOM on the effects of the fire at St. Jude's hospital in St. Lucia were completed and delivered to Prime Minister King October 2. These assessments, encompassing the entire Medical infrastructure of southern St. Lucia, provided a roadmap for rebuildi [...] |
2009-10-16 21:21:00 | Embassy Bridgetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID MASS PGOV PHUM PREL SL XL |
| 09BRUSSELS485 | TERRORISM FINANCE: EU ON TAMIL FOUNDATION (U.S. [...] (C//NF) A contact close to the EU's autonomous terrorist designations process expressed doubt that the EU will to join the U.S. in autonomously designating the Tamil Foundation (Ref A). However, the EU would consider this request within the same context as the prior USG request for EU designa [...] |
2009-04-02 12:30:00 | USEU Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ETTC KTFN PTER EFIN PREL PHUM EAID SL PINR |
| 09DAKAR792 | DEADLOCK OVER HIGH STATE COUNCIL THREATENS TO [...] (C) Summary: Implementation of the June 4 Dakar Accord calling for the formation of a National Unity Government, President Abdallahi's resignation, and the organization of elections on July 18 has come to a standstill due to disagreements over the future of the extra-constitutional military [...] |
2009-06-23 18:20:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MR SL KDEM |
| 09DAKAR793 | DAKAR ACCORD: THINGS MAY FALL APART [...] (C) Summary: The Mauritanians claim they are still committed to the Dakar Accord. Nevertheless, after four days of intense negotiations, consensus over the wording of the High State Council (HSC) communiqueQ remains elusive. Sharp divisions are emerging within the International Contact Gro [...] |
2009-06-23 18:25:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MR SL KDEM |
| 09FREETOWN102 | PUJEHUN BYE-ELECTIONS POSTPONED DUE TO ALLEGED [...] The National Electoral Commission (NEC) postponed the planned March 14 bye-election in Pujehun District, based on allegations of politically-motivated violence and their subsequent inability to adequately prepare for the election on-site. National Election Watch (NEW) released a statement on M [...] |
2009-03-17 17:42:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN103 | JUSTICE QUESTIONS KEMOH SESAY'S INVOLVEMENT WHILE [...] (C) Summary: Two of the accused in the ongoing cocaine trial had their charges dismissed on March 16, an additional sign that the case is quickly being brought to a close. Civil Aviation employees Badara Allieu Tarawalley and Ebenezer Adetunji Macauley were released based on the lack of evidenc [...] |
2009-03-17 18:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SNAR KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN104 | INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO FREETOWN [...] (C) Summary: The UN Executive Representative of the Secretary General (ERSG) convened a meeting of the diplomatic corps on March 17 to discuss the political violence that occurred on March 13 and 16 (reftel A). The ERSG relayed information from a meeting held earlier that morning with Presiden [...] |
2009-03-17 18:08:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN106 | MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CONVENES DIP CORPS, [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura met with the Diplomatic Corps and donors on March 17 to present the government's response to the violent events on March 13 and 16 (reftel A). Bangura reported that the government believes the situation is unacceptable, given the progress the country [...] |
2009-03-20 08:42:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN109 | POLICE SETS PIPELINE ABLAZE: EXPLOSION KILLS 11, [...] (C) Summary: On March 22, the pipeline supplying oil to the National Petroleum terminal, a pipeline often illegally tapped by the local community of Kissy-Quarry, sprang a significant leak. According to various sources, Sierra Leone Police (SLP) officers were unable to contain the small crowd [...] |
2009-03-23 16:54:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN110 | APC U.S.-BASED BLOG ATTACKS, THREATENS U.S. AMBASSADOR [...] (U) Please see action request, para 7. 2. (C) An All Peoples Congress (APC) blog called "All Peoples Communication" has issued a scurrilous, untrue polemic attacking Ambassador's meeting with opposition party (SLPP) at the destroyed SLPP headquarters site. It does not indicate that the Amba [...] |
2009-03-23 18:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN113 | COCAINE CASE CLOSES: WILL OUR WINDOW OF [...] (C) Summary: The cocaine case closed on March 23, following final statements from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the defense teams. Justice Browne-Marke adjourned the court, stating that he would reconvene no later than four weeks from now to render his decision. While the def [...] |
2009-03-24 17:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SNAR KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN115 | PRESIDENT, FOREIGN MINISTER APOLOGIZE TO U.S. [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-26 17:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ASEC KWMN PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN118 | LEAHY VETTING REQUEST AND QUESTION: DO BAD APPLES [...] Embassy requests human rights Leahy vetting for the nominees listed below to attend the FBI National Academy. training: a) Sheku Tejan SESAY DOB 06/22/1976 POB Kadongha, Lungi, Sierra Leone ID number N24041976220015 Captain, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces-Military Police b) Os [...] |
2009-03-27 13:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN12 | EAC FREETOWN CONVENES ON PROPOSED LIBYAN UN DRAFT [...] (SBU) Summary: Per reftel, Post convened the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on January 8 to review our security posture in advance of the potential USUN veto of Libya's proposed draft resolution on Gaza. The EAC was chaired by CDA, and attended by RSO, POL, MGMT, CONS, PAO, and Legatt. End S [...] |
2009-01-08 10:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC IS PREL PTER UN SL |
| 09FREETOWN120 | SIERRA LEONE BUDGET TRANSPARENCY [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-31 17:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN121 | AN IRON FIST IN A VELVET GLOVE: FIRST LADY VISITS [...] (C) Summary: First Lady Sia Koroma called on Ambassador Perry on March 28 at the CMR to apologize for the threats made against the Ambassador in an online APC blog, as well as offer her views on the opposition party and their culpability in the March 13 and 16 incidents (reftel A). Koroma also [...] |
2009-03-31 17:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN122 | AMBASSADOR PERRY VISITS KONO WITH UN DELEGATION [...] Summary: On March 18, Ambassador Perry joined a UN-led delegation on a one day tour of Koidu City and its environs in the Kono District of Eastern Sierra Leone. The group met with local leaders and observed several ongoing development projects to evaluate the region's future needs. The delegati [...] |
2009-03-31 17:27:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID SCUL SL |
| 09FREETOWN123 | AMBASSADOR PERRY VISITS KONO WITH UN DELEGATION [...] Summary: On March 18, Ambassador Perry joined a UN-led delegation on a one day tour of Koidu City and its environs in the Kono District of Eastern Sierra Leone. The group met with local leaders and observed several ongoing development projects to evaluate the region's future needs. The delegati [...] |
2009-03-31 17:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID SCUL SL |
| 09FREETOWN127 | Fraud Summary - Freetown [...] Freetown is a high fraud post. Despite much progress since the end of an 11-year civil war in 2001, Sierra Leone is ranked last on the UN Human Development Index. As such, socioeconomic conditions for many residents are poor and many people seek a better life elsewhere. There is a large dia [...] |
2009-04-03 08:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | CMGT CVIS CPAS ASEC KFRD SL |
| 09FREETOWN128 | GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION AGREEMENT: JOINT [...] (SBU) Following two weeks of talks with the international community core Ambassadors (U.S., U.K., EU, China) under the aegis of the UN, the ruling All People's Congress Party (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) signed a joint communiquQ on April 2, 2009. The ceremony r [...] |
2009-04-03 13:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN129 | MARCH POLITICAL ROUND-UP -- FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: March was a politically active and volatile month in Sierra Leone. Two violent clashes between the APC and SLPP resulted in the banning of political radio stations, and differences between the parties were negotiated with the international community acting as mediators. The SLPP he [...] |
2009-04-03 13:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN13 | DECEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: December was a quiet month in Sierra Leone, with most government and private offices closing for extended holidays. This month President Koroma hosted the 66th Mano River Union Summit, including a Heads of State Conference. This took place less than two weeks before the death of L [...] |
2009-01-08 17:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN134 | ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN: INFLUENCE IN STATE HOUSE [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Perry recently met with two of the President's closest advisors: Emmanuel Osho Coker, Secretary to the President, and Joseph Koroma, newly-appointed Minister of Presidential Affairs. Both are highly experienced technocrats, having served in the Foreign and Civil services [...] |
2009-04-09 17:21:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN135 | MARIJUANA CULTIVATION SEEN AS NATIONAL SECURITY [...] (S/NF) Summary: On April 11, a highly-placed security sector source provided Poloff with a classified assessment from the Office of National Security (ONS) on the proliferation of cannabis cultivation. Drafted for the President, the assessment states that Sierra Leone is "gradually emerging as [...] |
2009-04-14 15:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | SNAR PGOV PREL ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN136 | IMF REPS CONCERNED BUT PATIENT REGARDING SIERRA [...] (C) Summary: On April 6, Ambassador met with IMF representatives to discuss their private views on GoSL performance since December 2008. Resident Representative Alvin Hilaire, Chief of Mission Norbert Toe and incoming Chief of Mission Jan Mikkelsen, discussed their disappointment that promises [...] |
2009-04-14 15:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAID EFIN SL |
| 09FREETOWN140 | FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA TO ATTEND AFRICAN HEALTH [...] (SBU) On April 4, Sierra Leone's First Lady, Mrs. Sia Koroma, confirmed to Ambassador her attendance at the First Ladies' African Summit. She told me she planned to depart Freetown on April 19. Mrs. Koroma also requested that we try to obtain a presentation slot for her during the conference. [...] |
2009-04-14 16:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PINR OVIP SCUL EAID SL |
| 09FREETOWN146 | PROPOSED PRESS STATEMENTS ON KOROMA'S STRONG [...] (SBU) The following paragraphs provide further background information (paras. 2-5) on the Ambassador's meeting with President Koroma on April 15, and proposed press statements for the White House (para. 6) and Department (para. 7), per reftel D. Please note that the draft press statements must [...] |
2009-04-16 16:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL SNAR SL |
| 09FREETOWN148 | U.S. AND OTHER DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPECIAL [...] (SBU) Summary: In response to Ref A request for information on amounts and sources of contributions for the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), the Court's Liaison Office provided up-to-date figures. In sum, the United States has contributed a total of USD 60,399,000 to date, amounting to 3 [...] |
2009-04-17 15:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | KAWC EAID SL |
| 09FREETOWN152 | LANDMARK NARCOTICS CASE ENDS: DEFENDANTS NOT GOING [...] (C) Summary: The Government of Sierra Leone's judicial system completed its landmark narcotics case (reftel A) on April 20, finding all defendants guilty. The first case tried using the national Narcotics Control Act of 2008, this creates valuable legal precedent, while also sending a message to na [...] |
2009-04-22 15:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN154 | DRUG DESTRUCTION MAY BE FINAL STEP IN COCAINE SAGA [...] No summary [...] |
2009-04-24 14:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PREL PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN157 | LAND MARK COCAINE SENTENCE HANDED DOWN [...] SUMMARY: Justice Nicholas Colin Browne-Marke, Justice of the Appeals Court and Presiding Judge on the Sierra Leone's cocaine case (reftels A and B), handed custodian sentences and fines to all fifteen accused persons on Tuesday April 21. For the accused Sierra Leoneans, the fines ranged from 2 [...] |
2009-05-01 12:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN162 | SIERRA LEONE TO SUPPORT KOSOVO'S IMF AND WORLD [...] No summary [...] |
2009-05-04 14:26:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN17 | STUDENT DIES DURING FRATERNITY INITIATION CEREMONY [...] Summary: An 18 year old freshman in the Faculty of Arts Fourah Bay College died on December 22, allegedly due to injuries he sustained during an initiation ceremony in one of the social clubs on campus called the Island Club. The Office of the President issued a press release December 24, indef [...] |
2009-01-12 12:30:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN173 | AMBASSADOR PERRY AND FIRST LADY KOROMA DISCUSS HEALTH IN [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador Perry visited Sierra Leone's First Lady at Mrs. Koroma's request on May 5 for a briefing on the First Lady's recent participation at the African First Ladies Health Summit in Los Angeles. Mrs. Koroma was overjoyed by the conference, convened by African Synergy and U.S. [...] |
2009-05-12 17:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN174 | NEW PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS SIGNED AS PRESIDENT [...] Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma renewed his business-like approach to government on May 7 with a performance contract signing ceremony for his cabinet ministers. The recent move, which complements the President's cabinet reshuffle in late February, underlines his attempt to streng [...] |
2009-05-13 11:52:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN192 | CONVICTS' PRISON LOCATION STILL A CONCERN FOR [...] (SBU) Ambassador met with Herman von Hebel, Registrar of the Special Court, as well as Binta Mansaray, his Deputy, on 21 May to discuss his two main concerns regarding Court operations and proceedings. Mr von Hebel, who is leaving his post in Sierra Leone as of 22 May, also thanked the Ambassa [...] |
2009-05-22 12:14:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KAWC SL |
| 09FREETOWN20 | ANNUAL CRIME SAFETY REPORT - FREETOWN 2009 [...] No summary [...] |
2009-01-14 13:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC KSAC OASCC SL |
| 09FREETOWN203 | OPPOSITION LEADER VISA ISSUE PLAYS OUT IN PRESS: [...] (C) Summary: SLPP party leader John Benjamin's potential inadmissibility to enter the United States has resulted in a series of attacks on the Embassy and the CDA by outlets aligned with Benjamin's party. Benjamin is the third member of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) junta to [...] |
2009-06-03 17:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CVIS PGOV PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN209 | FOREIGN MINISTER ON GUINEA'S "GIFT FROM HEAVEN" [...] (C) On June 5, CDA and Poloff took advantage of a routine meeting with Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura to discuss her views on two key issues impacting Sierra Leone's security: drugs, and Guinea. FoMin expressed some alarm over the threat posed by marijuana cultivation, and then stated her can [...] |
2009-06-08 18:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SNAR SL GV |
| 09FREETOWN216 | PRESIDENT LAYS OUT SIERRA LEONE'S DEVELOPMENT [...] (U) Summary: On May 19, President Koroma presented his new poverty reduction strategy, the "Agenda for Change" focusing on four priority sectors: Power and Water Upgrades; Agricultural Output; Transportation Networks; and Human Development (Education and Health). President Koroma noted that hi [...] |
2009-06-11 17:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID PREL PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN217 | MAY POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: President Koroma continued to focus in May towards reconciling the country's two major political parties, urging them to implement the communiquQ signed following the unrest in March. On the heels of the Cabinet reshuffle, Ministers have signed new performance contracts. The disin [...] |
2009-06-12 11:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN22 | BYE-ELECTIONS IN PUJEHUN AND FREETOWN REFLECT APC STRENGTH [...] (U) Summary: Opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the ruling All People's Congress (APC) candidates have each won a seat in the just concluded parliamentary bye-elections in Pujehun, Southern Province and Freetown, Western Area, respectively. Neither outcome came as a surprise, alt [...] |
2009-01-15 14:51:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN221 | SIERRA LEONE REVISES MONEY LAUNDERING ACT [...] Summary: On May 21, the Bank of Sierra Leone organized a seminar to discuss a draft amendment to the 2005 Anti Money Laundering Act. Since its introduction, the Act has failed to effectively use advanced technology to prevent money laundering or to counter the financing of terrorism in Sierra [...] |
2009-06-15 15:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KCRM SL |
| 09FREETOWN222 | LIMITED CAPACITY, RISING CRIME: SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) Summary: The security situation in Sierra Leone, always fragile, appears to have grown increasingly tenuous in recent weeks. Concerns over rising levels of violent crime, both in Freetown and across the country, are compounded by the decreasing capacity of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to [...] |
2009-06-16 10:06:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SL |
| 09FREETOWN229 | CORRUPT OFFICIAL WITH TIES TO IRAN BACK IN BUSINESS [...] (S/NF) Ambassador Umaru Wurie, ousted Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, resurfaced on June 18 as the newly-appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs. Wurie's insubordination and alleged corruption (reftels A, B) led to his remov [...] |
2009-06-18 14:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV ENRG EMIN MNUC PREL PINR IR SL |
| 09FREETOWN23 | GIBRILLA KAMARA PAYS COCAINE DEFENSE TEAM BILLS [...] (S/REL UK) A source from the cocaine defense team disclosed on January 15 that two members of the legal team met with Gibrilla Kamara (aka GK) in Conakry prior to the Guinean coup in December, 2008. The source initially stated that GK was contacted to provide case-related information, but late [...] |
2009-01-15 17:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL SNAR PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN230 | SIERRA LEONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN TROUBLE? [...] (C) Summary: The telecommunications industry, viewed as a success story of foreign business investment in Sierra Leone, is clashing with the GoSL in its attempts to remain profitable. The three main Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular operators, Zain, Comium, and Africell, w [...] |
2009-06-19 09:35:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECPS EINV PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN231 | STUDENTS TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FBC HAZING [...] (SBU) Summary: On June 12 the Magistrate Court conducting the preliminary investigations into the death of an eighteen year old freshman in the Faculty of Arts Fourah Bay College found all ten accused guilty of murder, rather than manslaughter. The defendants must now face official murder char [...] |
2009-06-19 12:01:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KJUS KCRM SL |
| 09FREETOWN24 | SIERRA LEONE 2009 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT [...] Per reftel, please see Embassy Freetown's 2009 Investment Climate Statement below. The document will also be sent via e-mail on the unclassified system. Embassy POC for this report is Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar (lemaran.@state.gov). A. Openness to Foreign Investment 2. The Gov [...] |
2009-01-15 18:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV EINV ETRD KTDB USTR OPIC SL |
| 09FREETOWN249 | WORKING DAY AND NIGHT: SL CORRUPTION FIGHT [...] Summary: Sierra Leone continues to struggle against pervasive corruption, particularly in the public sector, despite the strength of the Anti-Corruption Act amendment passed in 2008. As investigative reporting organizations such as Transparency International begin to include Sierra Leone in th [...] |
2009-06-30 17:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KCRM KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN255 | SMOOTH CRIMINAL? PARTY "ENEMY" OF THE PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary: The Minister of Lands, Housing, Country Planning and the Environment, Dr. Dennis Sandy, testified before Parliament on June 5 that his ministry is the most corrupt and that Members of Parliament are involved in shady land deals. He tendered documents implicating the Majority Leade [...] |
2009-07-02 16:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN256 | JUNE POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: Despite steps forward to improve the investment climate of the country in June, a violent incident targeting a U.S. company (and Embassy contractor) demonstrated that such improvements have not trickled down to the local level. Parliament updated laws inherited from the Colonial e [...] |
2009-07-02 16:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN258 | DON'T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH: OVERFISHING, [...] Summary: Fishing is a huge potential source of revenue for Sierra Leone, as well as the primary source of protein for the population, yet the sector remains under-developed. The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) estimates that the country loses at least $30 million in revenue per year to illega [...] |
2009-07-06 12:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIS MCAP PHSA SL |
| 09FREETOWN262 | SL MAY LOSE GRIP ON CURRENCY [...] (C) The Sierra Leonean economy has not been known in recent years for robustness: years of corruption and bad governance, exacerbated by the civil war, destroyed export-oriented industry and the infrastructure needed to sustain it. In the long road to recovery from the war, a measure of econom [...] |
2009-07-08 12:04:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN263 | SL HANDLES FAKE COUP THREAT, EXTORTIONIST ARRESTED [...] (S/NF) Highly-placed sources within the Sierra Leonean intelligence community shared details on July 7 and 8 of a fake coup plot and extortion attempt that came to light on July 2. A presumed Sierra Leonean national approached the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to Ghana and shared details of [...] |
2009-07-08 15:10:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINS PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN266 | CORRUPT MINISTRY OF DEFENSE ARMS DEAL THREATENS SL [...] (S/NF) On July 7, CDA and PolOff met with a high-level, reliable source with access to intelligence across civilian and military agencies. Source informed emboffs of an attempted arms deal brokered by Minister of Defense Palo Conteh, in collaboration with Chief of Defense Staff Major-General A [...] |
2009-07-08 17:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL MASS PINS PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN270 | COKE, TOKES, AND INEPT FOLKS: CAN SL STAY TOUGH ON DRUGS? [...] No summary [...] |
2009-07-13 15:12:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL SL SNAR |
| 09FREETOWN280 | KOROMA MEETS WITH GUINEAN JUNTA DESPITE POLITICAL [...] (U) On July 13, President Koroma held a bilateral discussion with Guinean junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara (reftel C). The Mano River Union Heads of State Summit, scheduled for July 14, was canceled, but Koroma chose to speak with Dadis Camara without other Heads of State present. The likely t [...] |
2009-07-17 11:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL GV |
| 09FREETOWN288 | SIERRA LEONE: BROKER FOR REGIONAL STABILITY? [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met July 20 with Foreign Minister Bangura following President Koroma's travel to Conakry for an aborted Mano River Union summit July 14. Minister Bangura was defensive about the need for Sierra Leone to stay engaged with coup leaders Dadis Camara despite ECOWAS, AU and [...] |
2009-07-23 08:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN29 | COUPS RUN THE GAME: SIERRA LEONE BETWEEN A ROCK [...] (C) Summary: CDA discussed reftel demarche topic with Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura on January 16. Bangura's response reflected the constant struggle facing Sierra Leone to maintain democratic principles and regional commitments in the face of sub-regional threats to peace and security. The [...] |
2009-01-22 11:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN299 | SIERRA LEONE STOCK EXCHANGE LAUNCHED [...] Summary: The Sierra Leone Stock Exchange was launched by President Koroma on July 17, 2009 amidst great fanfare. The decision to form a stock exchange in Sierra Leone was made in 1999, with a technical committee formed in 2001. However, due to the lack of expertise and strong financial institut [...] |
2009-07-27 15:33:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EINV PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN30 | POTENTIAL OPIC INVESTMENT IN REGION: SIERRA LEONE [...] Per reftel, Sierra Leone needs increased private investment, though the investment climate is still highly problematic, even for those prepared to accept an unusually high level of risk. Post welcomes the opportunity to respond to specific investment proposals to maximize the limited resources [...] |
2009-01-22 12:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON SL |
| 09FREETOWN304 | GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN SIERRA LEONE [...] Summary: Gender-based violence (GBV) and inequality are tragic norms in Sierra Leone. Long-entrenched in the culture and reinforced during the civil war years, GBV is one of the most significant human rights issues facing Sierra Leone today. Though policy-makers, organizations, and the interna [...] |
2009-08-03 17:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KWMN ASEC KJUS KCRM SL |
| 09FREETOWN309 | KOROMA'S GUINEAN STRATEGY IS TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT [...] (U) President Koroma's speech to the Sierra Leone-Guinea Joint Technical Committee on the Yenga border dispute effusively praised junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara. Koroma seemed proud that the countries have bilaterally resolved the dispute without assistance from the international community, [...] |
2009-08-06 16:25:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN317 | JULY POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] Summary: President Koroma's need for a disciplined, effective civil service was reinforced in July through the launch of the Public Sector Reform Unit and a campaign against lateness and absenteeism. The National Registration Secretariat will soon be empowered to issue national ID cards and EC [...] |
2009-08-11 16:00:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN321 | FINANCE MINISTER UNPERTURBED BY ECONOMIC PRESSURES [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with Finance Minister Samura Kamara on August 11 to discuss the state of the Sierra Leonean economy. Minister Kamara downplayed the ongoing currency devaluation (reftel), focusing instead on long-term financial and development strategies, such as the GoSL's approach [...] |
2009-08-17 15:22:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EAID PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN322 | SIERRA LEONE CURRENCY TANKING FASTER THAN EXPECTED [...] (C) Summary: The Sierra Leone currency is suffering a continued significant decline. The Leone is trading at rates approaching 4,000 to USD 1.00, surprising independent analysts who had forecast the devaluation to go no further than a 3,600:1 ratio (reftel). Banking officials had been more pes [...] |
2009-08-17 15:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL ASEC PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN323 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PMDC PARTY LEADER [...] (C) Summary: Charles Margai, leader of the PMDC party, at his request, called on Ambassador Perry August 13 (Poloff participated in the meeting). He discussed his views on a variety of topics, including political tolerance, corruption, and the role of the international community in Sierra Leone [...] |
2009-08-17 15:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN325 | DIPLOMATIC CORPS VIEWS: CRY ME A RIVER [...] (C) Summary: Through mainly one-on-one meetings over the past two weeks with Western, African and Middle Eastern envoys, plus the United Nations, Ambassador has detected both a desire to support Sierra Leone's stated goals and a frustration that to do so is difficult. President Koroma's lauda [...] |
2009-08-17 16:54:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN326 | KOROMA MAKES FIRST VISIT TO BRAZIL [...] President Koroma is currently enjoying the first ever Sierra Leonean state visit to Brazil after landing in Brasilia on August 18. Accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Information, and Agriculture, Koroma will meet with President Lula da Silva on August 19 to sign a Memorandum of U [...] |
2009-08-19 16:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SL BR |
| 09FREETOWN327 | U.S. PLANE DETAINED IN SIERRA LEONE AFTER ILLEGAL [...] (S) At approximately 1800 GMT on August 19, a U.S.-registered plane (N-748AA) illegally landed at Lungi Airport. The airport crew told the aircraft, reportedly a "Kruman 154," that they would have to identify an alternate landing site, since they did not have a landing permit. The plane eventu [...] |
2009-08-20 14:55:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | ASEC CASC PGOV PREL PINR PBTS SNAR EG UK SL |
| 09FREETOWN328 | UPDATE ON PLANE LANDING: CONTINUED DETENTION [...] (S) Summary: Embassy learned at 1930 GMT on August 20 that the eight detained individuals connected to the reftel plane were released by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) following brief interviews. However, the individuals were then re-detained at 1000 GMT at the orders of the Vice President, and [...] |
2009-08-21 12:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | ASEC CASC PGOV PREL PBTS SNAR EG UK SL |
| 09FREETOWN33 | SIERRA LEONE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT [...] Per reftel, Embassy Freetown provides the following updates to inform the 2008 TDA Report. 2. In 2007, Sierra Leone passed the Child Rights Act aimed at protecting children under 18 from early marriage, conscription into the armed forces, trafficking, domestic violence and exploitation. It [...] |
2009-01-27 17:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN336 | SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL WARD'S VISIT [...] (U) Post warmly welcomes you to Sierra Leone. Your visit comes at a prescient time, and will hopefully support increasingly robust engagement on a variety of issues, including the pending Status of Forces Agreement. Sierra Leone is known worldwide as a country beset with challenges, many of w [...] |
2009-08-27 17:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MASS MCAP PGOV PREL OVIP SL |
| 09FREETOWN34 | SIERRA LEONE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL TRAINING [...] In response to reftel, Embassy Freetown's Law Enforcement Working Group was convened on January 23 to discuss law enforcement and judicial capacity. Responses to reftel questions are presented in the following paragraphs. Please note that judicial capacity, including the court system and Depar [...] |
2009-01-29 16:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KCRM ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN344 | U.S. COAST GUARD SEIZURE ENDS SIERRA LEONE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Combined U.S. Coast Guard Cutter LEGARE-Sierra Leone seizure of a 750 ton Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel August 17th ended Sierra Leonean complacency on Fisheries, and may cost a Minister her job. The seizure was initially met with considerable jubilation by both the Min [...] |
2009-09-02 07:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIS PGOV PREL ECON SL |
| 09FREETOWN355 | AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIERRA LEONE [...] SUMMARY: Sierra Leone hosted an African Caucus meeting for Bank Governors and Finance Ministers from around the continent, its largest conference since the conclusion of the war. The Independent Media Commission presented its annual report to President Koroma, who again pledged his support for [...] |
2009-09-08 08:30:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN36 | UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS - SIERRA LEONE [...] The mandate for the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) ended in September, 2008. Prior to that, its Human Rights and Rule of Law Section was active, both in Freetown and the field, conducting activities and regularly reporting its finding to the Government of Sierra Leone and member [...] |
2009-01-30 14:41:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN364 | SMALL BOAT CAPSIZES: OVER 200 PASSENGERS BELIEVED [...] Summary: On September 8 a small boat capsized off the coast of Sierra Leone, killing over 200 passengers on board. Overloading of both passengers and cargo, improper monitoring, poor weather and a slow rescue response have been blamed for the disaster. The country is in mourning as the chance [...] |
2009-09-14 14:37:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHSA EWWT SL |
| 09FREETOWN374 | MOB ATTACKS POLICE STATION: SLP OPEN FIRE, WOUND 11 [...] At around noon on September 17, a mob of approximately 100 people attacked a small police station outpost near the Lungi International Airport. According to sources, the mob was angry at recent arrests of community members suspected of committing armed robberies in the area. The Sierra Leone P [...] |
2009-09-17 16:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ASEC PINS SL |
| 09FREETOWN379 | ATTORNEY-GENERAL HAD HAND IN FISHERIES CORRUPTION [...] (C) Per reftel, Minister of Marine Resources Haja Afsatu Kabba nearly released the seized fishing vessel, the Yu Feng 102, in return for a small bribe from its Taiwanese owners. In an additional revelation of corruption, the Chief Justice passed to the CDA on September 16 that the Attorney-Gene [...] |
2009-09-22 14:07:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EFIS KCOR SL |
| 09FREETOWN383 | GUINEA CLAIMS SL "MERCENARIES" SEEK TO OVERTHROW [...] (S/NF) Poloff received information from a highly-placed security contact that the Guinean junta suspects an army of Sierra Leonean "mercenaries" will attempt to overthrow their regime. A letter sent from the junta to the Sierra Leonean Office of National Security (ONS) during the week of Septe [...] |
2009-09-25 12:03:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR PINS GV SL |
| 09FREETOWN385 | SIERRA LEONE'S INITIAL REACTIONS TO GUINEA TROUBLE [...] (S//NF) Poloff spoke with a high-level intelligence contact on September 29 to gauge the Government of Sierra Leone's response to recent events in Guinea. Source reported that President Koroma, as expected, is very concerned. The Office of National Security (ONS) requested that border posts re [...] |
2009-09-29 10:37:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR PINS PREL GV SL |
| 09FREETOWN388 | PRESIDENT KOROMA SPEAKS PUBLICLY ON GUINEA [...] (U) President Koroma held a press conference on September 29 to discuss his participation in the UNGA. Members of the media used the opportunity to pose questions to the President about the situation in Guinea, which he called a "critical development." He stated that he is "still digesting" the [...] |
2009-09-29 15:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR GV SL |
| 09FREETOWN389 | SIERRA LEONE RAISES ALARM OVER GUINEAN [...] (S/NF) CDA and Poloff met with a highly-placed intelligence contact on September 30, who stated concerns that narcotics traffickers are exploiting the current instability in Guinea for their own ends. Source said that he had received information that two known Colombian drug traffickers, "CiCi [...] |
2009-09-30 16:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV SNAR PINR GV SL |
| 09FREETOWN390 | INTELLIGENCE SUGGESTS ASSASSINATION PLOT AGAINST [...] (S/NF) On September 30, CDA and Poloff met with a highly-placed intelligence source who reported that warlords aligned with Charles Taylor are planning a destabilizing campaign in Liberia. The apex of this campaign, allegedly, is an assassination attempt against President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf [...] |
2009-09-30 17:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN391 | Fraud Summary - Freetown [...] Freetown is a high fraud post. Despite much progress since the end of an 11-year civil war in 2001, Sierra Leone is ranked last on the UN Human Development Index. As such, socioeconomic conditions for many residents are poor and many people seek a better life elsewhere. There is a large dia [...] |
2009-10-02 08:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | CMGT CVIS CPAS ASEC KFRD SL |
| 09FREETOWN392 | SEPTEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: Political controversy continued to be relatively mild during the month of September, with the nation focused on the potential for a major offshore oil discovery by U.S.-based company Anadarko, and highlighted problems within the health and education sectors. The findings of the Co [...] |
2009-10-06 11:50:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN KCOR SL |
| 09FREETOWN393 | POLICE-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP STRAINED [...] (C) Summary: Though a rivalry has always existed between the civilian and military branches of the security apparatus, the relationship between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is starting to show increased strain. Small-scale incidents that oc [...] |
2009-10-06 12:02:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN4 | SIERRA LEONE'S PRIVATE PESSIMISM ABOUT GUINEA [...] (C) Sierra Leone's moderate public response to the Guinea coup should not be misinterpreted as complacency. The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) appears to be approaching the situation warily, welcoming the coup leaders for bilateral discussions while concurrently preparing for possible insec [...] |
2009-01-05 17:47:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN400 | KOROMA SHOWS PARANOIA IN RESPONDING TO CRIME SPIKE [...] (C) President Koroma called a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on October 6 to discuss the recent increase in violent armed robberies in the Freetown area. Home invasions, illegal vehicular checkpoints, and muggings are on the rise, targeting those with known wealth or the appearance of [...] |
2009-10-14 17:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PREL PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN404 | PRESIDENT KOROMA WANTS HIGH LEVEL USG [...] (U) On October 12, President Ernest Bai Koroma passed through his personal assistant a request that the United States Government endorse Sierra Leone's Consultative Group (CG) meeting in London November 18-19 by sending a high level delegation. The meeting, which is broken down into a Trade an [...] |
2009-10-15 12:43:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN408 | SIERRA LEONE RESPONSE ON GUINEAN DEMARCHES [...] (S/NF) CDA and Poloff delivered reftel demarche points to President Koroma on October 16, prior to his departure for the emergency ECOWAS summit in Abuja. Koroma stated that the Guinean situation is deteriorating, and that if it is "not arrested now...the tragedy might worsen beyond that which [...] |
2009-10-16 13:34:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINS PHUM KDEM GV SL |
| 09FREETOWN410 | MILITARY MANIPULATING KOROMA? [...] (C/NF) Poloff was informed by a high-level security contact on October 15 that the civilian security sector blames the Minister of Defense and his inner-circle for influencing the President to call a premature Military Assistance to the Civil Power (MACP) in response to the recent spate of arm [...] |
2009-10-19 14:24:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ASEC SL |
| 09FREETOWN411 | KOROMA OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH OPTIMISM [...] (U) Summary: At the opening of Parliament on October 9, President Koroma outlined the blue print for his government for the coming year. In his two hour speech he outlined his achievements, touted his Agenda for Change, and criticized the opposition for fanning the flames of tribalism in the c [...] |
2009-10-19 14:28:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN42 | SIERRA LEONE ARMY "DREAM TEAM" AIRS GRIEVANCES [...] (C) Summary: An anonymous letter released in Freetown has accused the Minister of Defense of making appointments and promotions favoring his own ethnic group, corruption and misuse of government resources, and threatens "another war is possible" if the accusations raised in the letter are not [...] |
2009-02-04 14:11:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MARR SL |
| 09FREETOWN424 | CONFIDENCE WANING IN CORRUPT POLICE LEADERSHIP [...] (C) With the President seemingly placing greater civilian security authority in the hands of the military due to an increase in crime (reftel D), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is currently facing significant criticism both within and outside of government. Brima Acha Kamara, a hold-over [...] |
2009-10-28 10:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV SNAR SL |
| 09FREETOWN425 | VICE PRESIDENT MAY BE BOOTED FOR ALLEGEDLY [...] (C) Vice President Samuel Samsumana has been named as a third party defendant in a civil suit in Perry County, Arkansas. The original suit was filed against the West family of Perry County, who borrowed money to buy equipment to be used in an logging enterprise in Sierra Leone; the Wests in tu [...] |
2009-10-28 13:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCOR SNAR SL |
| 09FREETOWN430 | SIERRA LEONE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL [...] Please see the following draft of the Sierra Leone 2009-2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, keyed to reftel: 2) Summary Sierra Leone has taken steps to combat illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and has mounted efforts against drug abuse. I [...] |
2009-11-02 15:49:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN434 | OCTOBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN [...] (U) Summary: October highlights include an investigation into acts of political violence and intolerance, concern over the Bankole Thompson Commission of Inquiry report on the March riots, intra-party tensions, and new commercial interest in Sierra Leone from the Iranians. The country hosted a [...] |
2009-11-03 18:13:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN435 | MINISTER OF HEALTH INDICTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES; [...] (U) Summary: President Koroma removed the Minister of Health and Sanitation and the Minister of State in the Vice President's Office from their duties on November 4 due to allegations of corruption. Minister of Health, Sheiku Tejan Koroma, was indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) f [...] |
2009-11-04 17:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR SL |
| 09FREETOWN443 | PRISONERS RIOT OVER DELAYED JUSTICE [...] On November 10, inmates at the Bo Prison rioted to protest lengthy remands, adjournment of cases, and subsequent prolonged detentions. Windows were broken and some prison property destroyed, and the rioters threatened to lynch prison officers; the Office of National Security's Provincial Secur [...] |
2009-11-12 12:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KJUS PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN445 | ATTORNEY GENERAL STAKES HIS CLAIM ON SPECIAL COURT [...] (C) Summary: On November 12, A/DCM and the British High Commissioner met with Attorney General Abdul Serry-Kamal to discuss issues related to the Special Court. Namely, the meeting was called to address an exchange of letters between the Special Court Management Committee (MC) and the Governme [...] |
2009-11-13 12:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KAWC KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN449 | SLPP PULLS NO PUNCHES TO DISCREDIT GOVERNMENT IN [...] (C) Summary: On November 16, the SLPP released to the media a letter from party Chairman John Benjamin to President Koroma. The letter outlines four pages of alleged grievances, ranging from corruption and nepotism to inter-party squabbles. While the letter was dated November 12, its release w [...] |
2009-11-18 08:29:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EAID KCOR SL |
| 09FREETOWN453 | SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LIBEL LAW [...] Summary: On November 10, Sierra Leone's Supreme Court dismissed a suit brought by the Sierra Leone Association of journalists (SLAJ) that sought to repeal portions of the 1965 Public Order Act criminalizing libel, nearly two years after the action was instituted. The country's journalists' ass [...] |
2009-11-20 12:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KJUS SL |
| 09FREETOWN456 | BOMB SCARE AT AIRPORT HIGHLIGHTS SECURITY CONCERNS [...] (C) On November 8, an "electronic cigar" was found on an inbound British Midlands (BMI) flight from London. The cigar, found by a cleaning crew once on the ground in Freetown, caused alarm because it was found hidden beneath a blanket under a seat, with wires protruding from either end. Breach [...] |
2009-11-25 12:39:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET | ASEC EAIR PINS PTER SL |
| 09FREETOWN462 | SIERRA LEONE NARCOTICS WRAP-UP, 2009 [...] (C) Summary: Sierra Leone continues to stay invested in the narcotics issue, and attempting to become more pro-active operationally despite resource constraints. International actors, including post, UK/SOCA, and the UN remain sources of support and encouragement, while also advancing our own [...] |
2009-11-30 19:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | SNAR PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN465 | SIERRA LEONE STABILITY, PART I: POLITICS [...] (C) Summary: This cable is the first in a series of four that seeks to analyze Sierra Leone's current level of stability, and the threats and weaknesses challenging it. In the political realm, the country is already gearing up for the 2012 national, parliamentary, and local elections. Even tho [...] |
2009-12-01 17:19:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN466 | SIERRA LEONE STABILITY, PART II: ECONOMY [...] (C) Summary: This is the second in a series of four cables that highlights risks to Sierra Leone's security (reftel A). The national economy continues to be in a state of woe, built on the precarious foundation of a weakening currency, decreasing imports and exports, reduced food security, and [...] |
2009-12-01 17:31:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAID PGOV PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN470 | B-K ACTION REQUEST: DECEMBER VOTE ON "DEFAMATION [...] (U) Reftel demarche was delivered to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General Khadijatu Bashir, normally the number four person in the Ministry but currently acting Foreign Minister (the incumbent returns from the Hajj on December 3, with other senior officials also abroad). The a [...] |
2009-12-02 16:38:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF SL |
| 09FREETOWN471 | SIERRA LEONE STABILITY, PART III: SECURITY SECTOR [...] (C) Summary: This cable is the third in a four-part series (reftels A/B) that highlights risks to Sierra Leone's stability. Given recent events in the sub-region and Sierra Leone's own blighted history, the ability of the security sector to maintain peace is an ongoing, critical concern. While [...] |
2009-12-02 17:45:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PREL PINS SNAR KCOR SL |
| 09FREETOWN48 | Four Women Journalists Captured by FGM Practitioners [...] Summary: On Saturday, February 6, four journalists were detained by a women's secret society - referred to locally as "Bondo" -- in Kenema for alleged association with media campaigns to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone. The women were released Sunday follow [...] |
2009-02-09 17:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV OIIP KPAO SL |
| 09FREETOWN495 | A CHINA'S PD EFFORT FIZZLE IN FREETOWN [...] No summary [...] |
2009-12-16 18:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SL |
| 09FREETOWN496 | SIERRA LEONE AMLEP MISSION RESULTS IN FOUR SEIZURES [...] (U) SUMMARY: An Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) operation December 6-14 resulted in four fishing vessels seized by Sierra Leonean authorities in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy. The operation built on a previous AMLEP conducted in August (reftel), and provi [...] |
2009-12-16 18:20:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIS PREL PGOV MARR SL |
| 09FREETOWN497 | SIERRA LEONE MINISTER OF FINANCE PRESENTS 2010 [...] (U) SUMMARY: Minister of Finance and Economic Development Samura Kamara presented the Sierra Leone Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies for the financial year 2010, titled "Confronting the Future," to Parliament on December 4. The budget includes a comprehensive [...] |
2009-12-17 19:36:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN5 | SOUNDS OF SILENCE: QADHAFI TALKS BUT SAYS LITTLE [...] (C) Summary: Muammar Qadhafi's unexpected visit to Freetown ended on January 3, leaving little in his wake beyond confusion regarding his motivations. Accompanied by an entourage of 500, including a heavily armed security detachment, Qadhafi made no public promises of support for Sierra Leone [...] |
2009-01-06 12:18:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR LY SL |
| 09FREETOWN51 | IRAN, RUSSIA, LIBYA VIE FOR URANIUM IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (S/NF) A single source reported that Russia, Iran, Libya, and others are competing for the mining rights to recently discovered uranium deposits in Kono, Sierra Leone, and that key local players have sent out feelers for the best international offer. The source fears that the Russian governmen [...] |
2009-02-12 17:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | SECRET//NOFORN | EMIN PINR PREL IR RS LY SL |
| 09FREETOWN518 | FOREIGN MINISTER UNDER FIRE [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura appears increasingly at risk of losing her job in the next cabinet reshuffle, with corruption charges, frequent absences from Freetown, and incompetence cited by the media as the leading reasons. Her favored position with the President (reftel A) [...] |
2009-12-31 13:32:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN519 | SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN SIERRA LEONE: QUIETLY IN THE [...] Summary: Sierra Leone has an archaic and seldom (if ever) enforced law against homosexual behavior on the books, but societal prejudices, rather than legal consequences, keep homosexual orientation hidden. There are no current initiatives to revise, eliminate, or enforce current legislation [...] |
2009-12-31 13:58:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV SL |
| 09FREETOWN52 | SPECIAL COURT PRESIDENT MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR PERRY [...] (U) Summary: On February 9th, the President of the Special Court (SCSL), Justice Renate Winter of Austria, and the Sierra Leonean Deputy Registrar, Binta Mansaray, discussed with Ambassador Perry their recent visit with the Management Committee and ongoing court related issues. End Summary. [...] |
2009-02-13 12:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KAWC KJUS PINR USUN SL |
| 09FREETOWN53 | SIERRA LEONE RESPONSE TO CARTAGENA PROTOCOL [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-17 14:46:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON ETRD SL |
| 09FREETOWN56 | SIERRA LEONE 2009 TIP SUBMISSION [...] (SBU) Sierra Leone continues to struggle in the fight against trafficking. Internal politics and competing priorities overshadowed the TIP issue in terms of attention and financial support in 2008. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children's Affairs and the Sierra Leone Police contin [...] |
2009-02-19 15:09:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTIP KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SL |
| 09FREETOWN6 | FREETOWN: EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS RAMIFICATIONS OF [...] (SBU) EAC Freetown was convened on December 23 to discuss the possible ramifications of Guinean President Conte's death to security in Sierra Leone. Though Conakry is reported to be calm, EAC is concerned about potentially rapid deteriorations to the situation that may result in spillover effec [...] |
2009-01-06 13:44:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC AMGT CASC SL |
| 09FREETOWN60 | SIERRA LEONE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-24 15:42:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PGOV ASEC EFIN ENRG KCIP SL |
| 09FREETOWN61 | DEFENDANTS GUILTY IN RUF TRIAL [...] The final Freetown-based trial for the Special Court for Sierra Leone concluded on February 25 with a judgment against three Revolutionary United Front defendants. Issa Hassan Sesay, Morris Kallon, and Augustine Gbao all faced 18 charges during the five-year trial, including terrorism, collecti [...] |
2009-02-25 16:53:00 | Embassy Freetown | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KAWC PHUM SL |
| 09FREETOWN64 | FOREIGN MINISTER UNHAPPY, AND PERHAPS UNLOVED [...] (C) The Ambassador met Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura on February 16 to provided a tour d'horizon of the new U.S. Administration's priorities and the Secretary's stated interest in assistance programs. The Minister had just returned to Sierra Leone on February 13 following a [...] |
2009-02-26 17:57:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR SL |
| 09FREETOWN65 | SL PRESIDENT SAYS THIS IS RIGHT TIME TO NAB GK [...] (C) On February 27, Ambassador met with President Ernest Bai Koroma to discuss pending bilateral issues and relay the new administration's domestic and foreign policy priorities. She was accompanied by DCM and Poloff, and Koroma by Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura. Key bilateral and multilateral [...] |