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TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
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UNCLAS STATE 102941 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR LI
SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF MANDATE OF UN MISSION IN LIBERIA: 
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS 
 
REF: STATE 95744 
 
¶1. The Security Council is scheduled to vote on September 
29 for a resolution that will renew the mandate of the UN 
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), slightly accelerate the pace 
of military drawdown, and add two formed police units (240 
officers) to the mission's authorized strength.  USUN is 
authorized to vote in favor of the resolution.  The text 
follows in paragraph 2. 
 
¶2.  Begin text of resolution: 
 
The Security Council, 
 
Recalling its resolutions and statements by its President 
concerning the situation in Liberia and the subregion, in 
particular its resolutions 1777 (2007), 1750 (2007), 1626 
(2005), and 1509 (2003), 
 
Welcoming the Secretary-General's report of 15 August 2008 
((-S/2008/553)) and taking note of his recommendations, 
 
Further welcoming the continuing efforts of the Government 
of Liberia to improve governance and security and combat 
corruption, as well as the important measures taken by the 
Government to consolidate its  control over Liberia's 
natural resources and build a stronger economy, 
 
Commending the Government of Liberia for the adoption of 
its first national poverty reduction strategy for 
2008-2011 and calling on the international community to 
collaborate with the Government in implementation of this 
strategy, 
 
Noting with appreciation the steps being taken to 
facilitate national reconciliation and conflict 
management, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund, 
 
Noting the progress made in rebuilding, equipping, and 
deploying the Liberian National Police and restructuring 
the Armed Forces of Liberia, and in developing a national 
security architecture, acknowledging the challenges that 
remain, and encouraging the Government of Liberia, in 
cooperation with the international community, to expedite 
its efforts in these fields, 
 
Further noting the continuing need for support from United 
Nations police advisors to the Liberian National Police as 
reflected in the report of the Secretary-General, 
 
Expressing its appreciation for the continuing support of 
the international community, the Economic Community of West 
African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), 
 
Commending the work of the United Nations Mission in 
Liberia (UNMIL), under the leadership of the Special 
Representative of the Secretary-General, for its 
continuing and significant contribution to maintaining 
peace and stability in Liberia, and welcoming the close 
cooperation between UNMIL and the United Nations Operation 
in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI), as well as with neighboring 
Governments, in coordinating security activities in the 
border areas in the subregion, 
 
Noting with appreciation the progress made to date in the 
reintegration of ex-combatants, welcoming the contribution 
being made by the UN Development Program, UNMIL, 
international partners, and the National Commission on 
Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and 
Rehabilitation, and recognizing that there continues to be 
a need for formal sector employment, 
 
Recognizing the significant challenges that remain in the 
consolidation of Liberia's post-conflict transition, 
including consolidation of State authority, massive 
development and reconstruction needs, the reform of the 
judiciary, extension of the rule of law throughout the 
country, and the further development of the Liberian 
security 
forces and security architecture, in particular the 
Liberian National Police, and noting that crimes of 
corruption and violence, in particular with regard to 
exploitation of Liberia's natural resources, threaten 
to undermine progress towards those ends, 
 
Welcoming the progress achieved on the broad benchmarks 
laid out in the Secretary-General's report of 12 September 
2006 and core benchmarks presented in the 
Secretary-General's reports of 9 August 2007 and 19 March 
2008, welcoming UNMIL's continuing efforts to promote and 
protect, in cooperation with the Government of Liberia, 
the rights of civilians, in particular children and women, 
calling on Liberian authorities to continue to cooperate 
with the United Nations country team and civil society, in 
order to achieve further progress in these areas and in 
particular to combat violence against children and women, 
including gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and 
abuse, and recalling its resolutions 1674 (2006) and 1612 
(2005), as well as resolutions 1325(2000) and 1820 (2008) 
on women, peace and security, 
 
Reiterating the continuing need for UNMIL's support for 
the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, 
 
Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to 
constitute a threat to international peace and security in 
the region, 
 
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United 
Nations, 
 
¶1.  Decides that the mandate of the United Nations Mission 
in Liberia (UNMIL) shall be extended until 30 September 
2009; 
 
¶2.  Reaffirms its intention to authorize the 
Secretary-General to redeploy troops, as may be needed, 
between UNMIL and UNOCI on a temporary basis in accordance 
with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005); 
 
¶3.  Endorses the Secretary-General's recommendation for a 
reduction of an additional 1,460 personnel deployed as part 
of UNMIL's military component and for the streamlining of 
the current four sectors into two, during the period 
October 2008 to March 2009; 
 
¶4.  Further endorses, with immediate effect, the 
Secretary-General's recommendation for an increase of 240 
in the authorized number of personnel deployed as part of 
UNMIL's police component in order to provide strategic 
advice and expertise in specialized fields, provide 
operational support to regular policing activities and 
react to urgent security incidents, as well as his plans 
for internal adjustments in the composition of the police 
component within the overall ceiling, including an increase 
in the number of formed police units; 
 
¶5.  Requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor 
progress on the core benchmarks detailed in paragraph 66 of 
his report of 8 August 2007 (S/2007/479) and in his report 
of 19 March 2008 (S/2008/183), and any subsequent 
refinements of the benchmarks that may be recommended by 
the Secretary-General or his Special Representative, to 
report on that progress to the Security Council by 15 
February 2009 and, in view of the extent of that progress, 
to recommend to the Security Council no later than 15 
February 2009 any further adjustments to UNMIL's military 
and police components as appropriate, and to include in 
his report, in consultation with the Government of 
Liberia, long-range scenarios for a phased drawdown and 
withdrawal of UNMIL's troop contingent, as the situation 
permits and without compromising the security of Liberia; 
 
¶6.  Further requests the Secretary-General, in 
consultation with the Government of Liberia, to develop 
further detailed benchmarks to measure and track progress 
towards the achievement of security in Liberia, and in 
that context to include in his 15 February 2009 report and 
in subsequent reports thereafter a comprehensive 
assessment both of the progress made towards building the 
capacity of the Liberian National Police and of the 
contribution of UNMIL towards that goal, and to make 
recommendations on possible adjustments needed to UNMIL 
police training or concept of operations as appropriate; 
 
¶7.  Expresses its intention to review by 31 March 2009 the 
Secretary-General's recommendations described in paragraph 
5 above; 
 
¶8.  Further requests the Secretary-General to provide by 
15 August 2009 a report covering progress made on the 
issues addressed in paragraphs 5 and 6 during the period 
February 2009-August 2009; 
 
¶9.  Decides to remain seized of the matter. 
 
 
End text of resolution. 
RICE