VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #1709 2452307
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 022249Z SEP 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
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 091709 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPKO LI
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN LIBERIA: SECURITY COUNCIL 
CONSULTATIONS AND OTHER MEETINGS 
 
¶1. (U) The Security Council will meet with countries 
contributing troops and police (TCCs/PCCs) to the UN Mission 
in Liberia on September 3. Council consultations are 
scheduled for September 9.  Also on September 9, Liberia has 
invited UN missions to attend a review of the long-term 
strategy for the Liberia National Police. The Council will 
vote on September 15 on a resolution to renew the mandate of 
the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The resolution will also 
authorize UNMIL to provide logistical and other key support 
to the Government of Liberia for the 2011 general 
presidential and legislative elections, and will specifically 
endorse phase three of the drawdown plan for UNMIL. Voting 
authorization will be sent by a separate cable, since the 
draft resolution is still being discussed by Council experts. 
USUN may draw as appropriate on the points in paragraph 2 for 
the September 3 meeting with TCCs/PCCs, the September 9 
Security Council consultations and expert discussions, and 
the September 9 meeting to discuss support for the Liberia 
National Police. 
 
¶2. (U)  Begin points: 
 
--The U.S. welcomes this opportunity to reaffirm our close 
ties with Liberia, and to thank Ambassador Loj and the 
dedicated peacekeepers of UNMIL for their service and 
sacrifice. 
 
--We endorse the Secretary-General's recommendations that 
UNMIL support the 2011 Liberian presidential and legislative 
elections with the essential logistics and transport 
necessary to move people and elections material around the 
country, by coordinating international electoral assistance, 
and by supporting the Liberian political parties in achieving 
a positive and productive atmosphere before and during the 
elections. 
 
--The successful conduct of these elections will be a key 
step forward for Liberia. 
 
--We welcome the launching of phase III of the drawdown plan 
for UNMIL.  This is a measured, steady approach that will 
ensure a solid security presence while UNMIL consolidates its 
deployment.  The strong police component of this strategy is 
appropriate for this stage of Liberia's transition to 
sustainable peace. 
 
--The security situation in Liberia, while generally stable, 
continues to cause us concern, in particular the continuing 
pattern of relatively minor disputes escalating into violent 
and sometimes deadly confrontations.  There are challenges 
throughout the rule of law sector, with the police, judiciary 
and corrections all vital components in building a just and 
viable system that ensures that all Liberians are treated 
fairly and equally. 
 
--We note with appreciation the work that UNMIL and the 
Government of Liberia are doing to address discrimination and 
violence against women and girls, issues that remain a 
serious problem. 
 
--We thank Council members for their cooperation on the draft 
resolution currently being negotiated.  We hope to adopt it 
next week. 
 
 
TCCs/PCCs 
 
--The U.S. recognizes the invaluable contribution that troop- 
and police-contributing countries make to Liberia's stability 
and progress.  With 62 countries currently contributing 
troops, military observers, and police to Liberia, UNMIL 
represents the truly global nature of UN peacekeeping today. 
We are proud that American military and police personnel are 
serving in UNMIL with citizens from all your countries. 
 
--There has been a dialogue in recent months about how to 
improve communication between the Security Council and the 
TCCs/PCCs, so that your expertise and experience of field 
conditions can inform the Council's discussions of new and 
renewed mandates.  We scheduled the meeting with TCCs/PCCs a 
week ahead of the Council's consultations for just that 
reason.  We are interested in your views, and in particular 
your concerns. 
 
      --What are the biggest challenges you face in UNMIL? 
What do you think should be done to address those challenges? 
 
      Police Assistance: 
 
--Secretary Clinton underscored the value the United States 
places in its relationship with the government and people of 
Liberia by including a stop in Monrovia in her recent visit 
to Africa.  During her time in Liberia, she met with 
President Sirleaf and her cabinet, addressed a joint session 
of the Legislature, and visited the National Police Academy. 
 
--We are proud to be one of Liberia's principal partners, 
with more than $200 million in bilateral assistance in our 
current fiscal year (FY-2009).  In addition, the U.S. has 
provided more than $240 million since 2003 for rebuilding the 
Liberian armed forces.  The United States will continue to 
serve as a partner for Liberia's reconstruction and stability 
in the years ahead. 
 
--We will continue to support the development and 
professionalization of the Liberian armed forces.  However, 
as Liberia continues on its path to sustainable peace and 
long-term stability, we are increasing our attention to the 
critical needs of the police and rule of law sector. 
 
--It is the police who will determine whether Liberians see 
their government as offering them security and access to 
justice. 
 
--The United States has invested more than $7 million dollars 
in developing the 500-member Emergency Response Unit, a 
specialized armed unit with the LNP.  We have also funded 
training, equipping and mentoring for the Special Security 
Service, the executive protection service for President 
Sirleaf and senior public officials. 
 
--We have 15 police officers assigned to UNMIL, including 
four as senior advisors to the Liberian National Police and 
three as key advisors to the development of the Emergency 
Response Unit. 
 
--The United States was also delighted to support the new 
Director of the Liberian National Police in taking an 
academic year in Minnesota studying law enforcement and 
management, before he took up his position in July. 
 
--We look forward to continuing to work with the Government 
of Liberia, with the UN, and with other international 
partners so that Liberia's security sector has the necessary 
support. 
 
--While not directly the subject of this conference, the 
United States also believes that Liberia and its partners 
must support programs focused on the justice sector, rule of 
law and corrections.  In cooperation with the Government of 
Liberia and other international partners, we are providing 
training for judges, magistrates and court personnel, as well 
as technical assistance to the criminal justice system. 
 
--The U.S. is assisting in the establishment of a judicial 
training institute that will provide continuing education for 
judges and other court personnel.  We have also helped to 
strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and 
provided advisors to assist police and prosecutors in 
building prosecutable cases. 
 
 
End points. 
CLINTON