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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0420 0352253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 042244Z FEB 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 010420 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SL XA XY
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: TALKING POINTS FOR FEBRUARY 9 UNSC 
DEBATE 
 
¶1.  USUN may draw from the talking points in para 2 for the 
February 9 UN Security Council debate on Sierra 
Leone.  It is separately requested that USUN meet with the 
United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in 
Sierra Leone(UNIPSIL) Executive Representative Michael von 
Schulenberg (who will be in New York Feb. 9-13).  End action 
request. 
 
¶2. Begin points: 
 
-- The United States commends the work of UNIPSIL for all the 
support it has provided to the government and people 
of Sierra Leone in helping the nation transition into a 
stable, prosperous, democratic country.  The United 
Nations has played a vital role in stability in this 
post-conflict nation, especially through its Police and 
Democracy and Governance programs. 
 
-- As a key supporter of the Peace Building Commission, the 
United States is pleased to see that Sierra Leone, 
with the UN's assistance, has completed a number of priority 
projects and begun implementation of others. 
 
-- The United States welcomes the "Joint Vision" joint 
planning initiative as it is an important step in 
achieving the full potential of the integrated mission 
concept. 
 
-- We are particularly satisfied with the role UNIPSIL will 
play, along with ourselves and other partners, in 
monitoring the Anti-Corruption Commission under new, strong 
leadership at President Koroma's instruction. 
 
--  The United States commends the Government of Sierra Leone 
for its efforts to reform its justice system, 
promote anti-corruption efforts, and increase human rights 
and the rule of law. 
 
-- The United Nations programs have been essential to the 
international community's ability to work harmoniously in 
various parts of the country. 
 
-- We note the important leadership role the UN/ERSG took 
during the 2007 and 2008 national and municipal 
elections.  With the availability of UN helicopters and vans, 
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other Chiefs of 
Mission were able to meet with provincial political leaders 
and organizations in a timely fashion. 
 
-- The presence of international monitors and observers was 
critical to ameliorating potentially violent 
situations and to ensuring gender equity through support of 
women's forums across the nation. 
 
-- UN Radio has also been essential in transmitting 
information to rural communities on elections, women's 
rights, health, and education.  We support the transfer of 
this service to the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation 
(SLBC), especially in light of the draft legislation that 
ensures the service will continue operating under 
international standards. We support the use of the 
unallocated PeaceBuilding funds for the development of 
this national public broadcasting service for Sierra Leone. 
 
-- We welcome the efforts of the Mano River Union (MRU) 
Secretariat's recent summit held under the chairmanship of 
Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.  UNIPSIL assistance 
was critical in both organization and transportation in order 
to allow this still-fragile state 
to bring together sub-regional leaders. The MRU summit 
addressed border security and Confidence Building Measures 
sorely needed as Sierra Leone continues to face potential 
incursion along its Yenga border with Guinea. 
 
-- Concurrently, along with donors, strengthening the 
Economic and Social Sectors is carried out by entities 
such as UNDP and UNICEF as well as WFP.  The United States 
works closely in food security and health as well as 
education with its UNIPSIL partners. 
 
-- We continue to be concerned about the increased use of 
Sierra Leone as a transshipment point for drug trafficking 
of illegal narcotics from South America to Europe.  We 
welcome UNIPSIL's collaboration with the Sierra Leone Drug 
Interdiction Task Force, and continue to offer our assistance 
in addressing this threat to Sierra Leone's 
security.  We welcome a regional approach to addressing 
security issues, in particular narco-trafficking. 
 
-- We also welcome the efforts of the UN system to coordinate 
with the World Bank and Government of Sierra 
Leone on developing a system of monitoring and controlling 
international ship movements. 
 
-- The recent global financial crisis heightens the need for 
donor coordination in Sierra Leone.  In concert with 
UNIPSIL, we look forward to formalizing such coordination 
working in tandem with key Government officials, including 
President Koroma and his Cabinet. 
 
-- The security of Sierra Leone is critical to the security 
of the MRU Basin and to West Africa.  Safety and 
stability create the atmosphere for growth education and 
respect for human rights. 
 
-- The United States fully supports UNIPSIL, and welcomes the 
permanent appointment of Michael Schulenberg as the 
Executive Representative of the Secretary General.  We urge 
the UN to quickly staff vacant UNIPSIL positions. 
CLINTON