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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000931 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV IV
SUBJECT: UN/COTE D'IVOIRE SANCTIONS: GROUP OF EXPERTS BRIEF 
UN SANCTIONS COMMITTEE 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Cote d'Ivoire Group of Experts (GOE), a 
UN-mandated group charged with monitoring implementation of 
UN sanctions in Cote d'Ivoire, on 8 October delivered to 
members of the UN Security Council Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions 
Committee a report documenting continued deficiencies and 
violations in the sanctions regime involving customs, civil 
aviation, arms, finance, diamonds, and individual sanctions 
components.  The GOE offered recommendations to address these 
problems and to improve the regime, and Committee members 
agreed to draft a series of communications--including to the 
UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), to the Chair 
of the Kimberly Process, and to UN member states--drawing 
their attention to the GOE's recommendations. END SUMMARY. 
 
EXPERTS REPORT POOR IMPLEMENTATION 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU)  UN Security Council Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions 
Committee members on 8 October received a briefing from the 
Cote d'Ivoire Group of Experts (GOE) on its final report 
covering activities since the GOE's midterm report of 14 
April 2008.  In its presentation, the GOE emphasized that it 
often has not received full cooperation from UN member states 
in getting all the information it needs to conduct its 
investigations and that the United Nations Operation in Cote 
d'Ivoire (UNOCI), which the GOE notes is central to 
implementing the sanctions regime, has failed to ensure full 
implementation of sanctions. The GOE said in particular: the 
UNOCI Embargo Cell is not conducting customs inspections; 
arms inspections are incomplete, illicit weapons have made 
their way into the country, and disarmament of former 
combatants lags; diamonds are leaving Cote d'Ivoire in 
violation of the diamond embargo; military expenditures 
continue while Ivorian authorities and banking institutions 
are failing to cooperate fully; and a number of assets freeze 
violations have occurred while the Government of Cote 
d'Ivoire and neighboring states exhibit a serious lack of 
awareness and understanding of the sanctions regime. 
 
POE RECOMMENDATIONS 
------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The GOE offered recommendations to address the 
issues revealed in the report. On customs, the GOE 
recommended that UNOCI prioritize efforts to establish a 
Joint Inspection Unit with Ivorian Customs and that a 
significant customs capacity be introduced into the Embargo 
Cell to undertake inspections and sensitization. On arms, the 
GOE recommended that UNOCI enact an efficient 
information-sharing mechanism, adopt comprehensive standard 
operating procedures in discharging its mandate, and 
follow-up on cases of arms movement highlighted in the 
report.  The GOE further encouraged the Sanctions Committee 
to review whether there are grounds to consider dual-use 
exemptions to the arms embargo beyond those enumerated in 
resolution 1572. On civil aviation, the GOE recommended that 
UNOCI continue to monitor the use of Ivoirian Air Force 
equipment and maintain surveillance at airport facilities. On 
diamonds, the GOE recommended that the Kimberly Process 
assist Cote d'Ivoire in establishing an internal mechanism to 
govern the diamond trade and that Mali, Belgium, and Israel 
initiate investigations into possible violations of the 
diamond sanctions.  On finance and individual sanctions, the 
GOE recommended that all UN member states facilitate the 
GOE's access to information and take all necessary steps to 
implement the individual sanctions and investigate violations. 
 
SANCTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMENT 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Sanctions Committee members largely expressed their 
support for the GOE's efforts in all areas.  France 
underscored the fragility of the situation in Cote d'Ivoire 
and the importance of UNOCI's full and consistent involvement 
in the sanctions regime.  The French representative also 
noted his delegation would look into addressing the issue of 
dual-use exemptions as France drafts a resolution renewing 
sanctions on Cote d'Ivoire, set to be considered later this 
month (NOTE: The Cote d'Ivoire sanctions are scheduled to 
 
 
expire on 31 October. END NOTE.). The Indonesian 
representative on two separate occasions emphasized that 
sanctions are preventative--not punitive--measures, welcomed 
what Indonesia saw as signs of progress, and noted the 
Government of Cote d'Ivoire's "good intentions." 
 
¶5. (SBU) The South African, Belgian, and Burkinabe 
representatives addressed GOE references to their countries. 
South Africa noted that Pretoria is working to address GOE 
claims that South Africa's Imperial Armour in January 2007 
appears to have sent protective gear to Cote d'Ivoire, noting 
an investigation into the matter and offering additional 
information in an effort to reaffirm its willingness to 
cooperate fully.  Belgium affirmed that it took note of the 
GOE's recommendation to initiate an investigation into the 
activities of Belgian companies and individuals mentioned in 
the report and would follow-up on the matter. The Burkinabe 
representative noted that Burkina Faso has cooperated with 
the GOE and expressed surprise at the GOE's listing of his 
country as non-responsive, to which the GOE responded that 
they were still awaiting Burkina Faso's reponses to a few 
remaining correspondences. 
 
DPKO WEIGHS IN 
-------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) A DPKO representative presented to the Committee 
UNOCI Media and Arms Embargo Monitoring reports from the 
month of August, noting that UNOCI has been unable to 
complete inspections and that a few, including inspections of 
the presidential perimeter, have been rejected by the 
Government of Cote d'Ivoire.  In response to the GOE 
recommendations, he said UNOCI has contacted Ivorian customs 
twice with no response regarding efforts to establish a Joint 
Inspection Unit and suggested that the UN Security Council 
remind Cote d'Ivoire of its responsibilities.  The 
representative also touched on cases of sexual exploitation 
and abuse in the country, noting many cases of violence but 
very few prosecutions.  He said UNOCI is attempting to raise 
awareness on the issue and is working with nongovernmental 
organizations to set up victims assistance. 
 
NEXT STEPS 
---------- 
¶7. (SBU) Following the presentations, the Committee members 
agreed the Chairman would draft letters to DPKO, the Chair of 
the Kimberly Process, and the permanent representatives of 
Mali, Belgium, and Israel drawing their attention to the 
recommendations in the GOE report. The Committee also agreed 
to emphasize the need to implement sanctions fully via a Note 
Verbale to all UN member states.  The Chairman of the 
Sanctions Committee plans to circulate a statement regarding 
the situation in Cote d'Ivoire to the President of the UN 
Security Council for 27 October, several days before 
sanctions and the GOE's mandate are set to expire. 
 
¶8. (SBU) The full GOE report has been mailed to IO/PSC. 
Please email Lorraine Konzet (konzetl@state.gov) at the USUN 
Sanctions Unit to request additional copies. 
Khalilzad