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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #5568 0762350
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 172333Z MAR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 025568 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
PARIS FOR KANEDA 
LONDON FOR LORD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPKO LI
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN LIBERIA: SECURITY COUNCIL 
CONSULTATIONS, MARCH 19, 2009 
 
 ¶1.  (U) The Security Council will hold consultations on 
Liberia on March 19, 2009.   USUN may draw on the talking 
points in paragraph 3 for the U.S. delegation's remarks. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SRSG Loej will brief on the recommendations on 
drawdown of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) contained in 
the February 10, 2009 Secretary-General's report.  As USUN is 
aware, the UK and French missions pressed hard for 
accelerated drawdown when UNMIL's mandate was last renewed. 
UNSCR 1836 of September 29, 2008 called for a review of the 
drawdown proposal, measured against benchmarks of progress, 
in the February 2009 report.  The review concluded that the 
security situation remains volatile and that the Liberian 
government and institutions are not yet able to assume full 
responsibility.  The SYG recommended that the current 
drawdown plan remain in force, with no acceleration in the 
pace of drawdown. The U.S. fully supports the 
Secretary-General's recommendations, which were based on the 
well-informed and thorough review of the situation on the 
ground by SRSG Loej and her military, political and civilian 
advisors. 
 
¶3. (U) Begin talking points: 
 
-- The historical, long-standing ties between Liberia and the 
United States are well-known, and cherished by both 
countries.  We are proud to be Liberia's partner. 
 
-- In U.S. Fiscal Year 2008 our assessed share of UNMIL's 
costs was $155 million. 
 
-- To date, the U.S. has invested around $215 million in 
helping Liberia to build its new Armed Forces.  American 
funds have trained 2,000 soldiers, building not only 
Liberia's capacity to address security threats, but also 
promoting civilian direction and respect for human rights. 
 
-- We have also worked to build capacity at the Ministry of 
Defense, down to the most basic units of management.   We 
provide funding for contract and military trainers/advisors, 
equipment and supplies, and infrastructure construction and 
repair. 
 
-- The U.S. supports police programs for Liberia through 
UNMIL, and we are currently developing a more robust 
bilateral program for near-term implementation. 
 
-- The international community has responded more than once 
to crises in Liberia that have affected stability throughout 
the entire sub-region.  The U.S. believes that a careful, 
steady approach to helping Liberians rebuild their 
institutions and lay a solid foundation for the future is a 
prudent investment. 
 
-- The U.S. appreciates the detailed and careful 
recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report 
on adjusting and refining the benchmarks for progress used to 
measure UNMIL drawdown.  These are clear and reasonable 
goals, using concrete technical and legislative actions to 
mark progress.  We strongly support the recommendations 
outlined in the report. 
 
-- We thank Ambassador Loej for her briefing.  She and her 
staff have provided the Secretary-General with a 
well-informed and thorough review of the situation on the 
ground. 
 
-- We would like to note with appreciation the continuing 
cooperation between UNMIL and the Government of Liberia 
on issues related to protecting women against violence and 
abuse. 
 
--The United States applauds the hard work, in difficult 
circumstances, that UNMIL accomplishes every day to assist 
the people and country of Liberia.  We praise the leadership 
of SRSJ Loej and thank her and her team for their steadfast 
commitment. 
 
Begin Questions: 
 
-- The U.S. is concerned about continuing violent 
demonstrations by ex-combatants arising from 
misunderstandings over benefits.  Could Ambassador Loej 
describe what the Liberian Government is doing to better 
communicate the facts to ex-combatants, and how UNMIL could 
help? 
 
-- We also note that the report expressed concern about 
cross-border drug trafficking, with implications for 
increased activity by organized crime networks and a risk of 
a resumed substantial flow of light weapons.  Have UNMIL's 
joint patrols with the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) 
or exercises and liaison with the Sierra Leonean authorities 
revealed any substantial evidence of increased arms 
trafficking in the sub-region? 
 
End Questions. 
CLINTON