VZCZCXYZ0016
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0489 1662005
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 152005Z JUN 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2085

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC KUNR UNGA
SUBJECT: UN RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR WALLACE'S INQUIRY ON 
RECENT ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT AT UNMIT 
 
 ¶1. USUN is transmitting a June 5 letter from Assistant 
Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jane Holl Lute 
 
SIPDIS 
answering Ambassador Mark Wallace's May 11 inquiry into 
recent allegations of misconduct at the UN Integrated Mission 
in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). 
 
¶2. Text of June 5 letter from Assistant-Secretary General 
Jane Holl Lute: 
 
Begin text: 
 
Excellency, 
 
Thank you for your letter dated 11 May 2007 expressing 
concern on recent media reports of possible trafficking in 
persons and other sexual exploitation violations by UN 
personnel assigned to the UN Integrated Mission in 
Timor-Leste (UNMIT). 
 
The reports referred to were two articles published on 7 May 
2007, entitled "UN turns blind eye to use of Timor brothels" 
in The Age by Lindsay Murdoch and "UN under fire for turning 
blind eye to peacekeepers' misconduct" in The Sydney Morning 
Herald. 
 
The Conduct and Discipline Team (CDT) in UNMIT, in 
consultation with the mission Chief of Staff (COS), the Chief 
Public Information Officer (PIO) and the Spokesperson, has 
taken the following measures to address the issues raised in 
the articles: i) re-broadcasting the UNMIT media policy 
reminding staff of the procedures for dealing with the media, 
and ii) sending a broadcast message to staff reaffirming the 
conduct expected from UN staff, the obligation to report 
specific cases of misconduct, the protection available for 
"whistle blowers", and the drunk driving policy. 
 
The CDT in UNMIT sent a fact-finding team to the location in 
question and found it to be a stall.  There had been no 
evidence of the location acting as a brothel prior to the 
articles' publication and there are presently no signs of 
illegal activity, but UN Police (UNPOL) has been advised to 
continue to patrol the area.  In addition, the staff 
member(s) who provided information to the journalist, Mr. 
Murdoch, remain unidentified.  As a best in UNMIT and other 
missions, as soon as allegations are made, a preliminary 
investigation or fact-finding mission is undertaken, and 
appropriate action is taken accordingly. 
 
To further facilitate these types of investigations, CDT in 
UNMIT has created a task force along with UN police and UN 
Security in order to set as off-limit or maintain control 
over locations where illicit business, including gambling, 
transactional sex, and use or trafficking of illegal drugs, 
is conducted and tolerated.  There are currently 30 such 
locations under investigation.  The mission will periodically 
review and update the list of "off-limits" locations, as well 
as check the locations regularly for suspected violations. 
 
CDT in UNMIT continues to implement DPKO's zero-tolerance 
policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse through 
prevention, enforcement and remedial action.  There are 
currently three staff members in UNMIT CDT, including a 
Chief, one Conduct and Discipline Officer and one 
Administrative Assistant who deal on a daily basis with 
receiving and processing of complaints and allegations; 
counselling of victims; liaising with partner offices and 
agencies; conducting training on sexual exploitation and 
abuse for staff; preparing and revising material for 
dissemination and; coordinating and meeting with senior 
leaders, including the Special Representative of the 
Secretary-General on issues of conduct and discipline. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
With Conduct and Discipline Teams established in most of pur 
peace operations, we will remain vigilant in addressing 
sexual exploitation and abuse and ensuring that UN personnel 
adhere to the standards of conduct set out for them.  We are 
thankful for your concern and support on these issues and we 
will continue to keep you updated on our work. 
 
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Signed, 
 
Jane Holl Lute 
Assistant-Secretary General 
for Peacekeeping Operations 
WOLFF