Cablegate: Monrovia: Response to Demarche to African States

VZCZCXRO2737
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHMV #0619 2391815
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271815Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1266
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 1551
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0060
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 0363
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 0070

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000619

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, EUR/RUS, AF/W, AF/C AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PTER CO RS TH LI
SUBJECT: MONROVIA: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE TO AFRICAN STATES
ON VIKTOR BOUT

REF: A) STATE 88230 B) BANGKOK 1998

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.

1. (SBU) Charge raised Ref A demarche points with Deputy
Foreign Minister Ambassador William Bull in an August 27
meeting. Bull told Charge that he will discuss the Viktor
Bout situation with relevant Liberian authorities. He noted
the GOL's neutral position regarding the prosecution of
former President Charles Taylor at the Special Court for
Sierra Leone in The Hague, but confirmed that the GOL
understands the significance of bringing Bout to justice.

2. (SBU) Charge stressed the importance of GOL weigh-in with
the Royal Thai Government on the harm that Bout did in
Africa. Bull assured Charge that the GOL will respond to the
fullest extent possible. He also asked Charge if it would be
possible for the USG to share any information on specific
Bout activities concerning Liberia. Bull also noted that the
GOL has no embassy in Thailand and any message will likely be
passed via the Thai Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

ROBINSON

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