Cablegate: Sierra Leone - Human Rights Vetting for Vehicle

VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #8233 0271627
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271620Z JAN 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 1610

UNCLAS STATE 008233

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MASS PHUM SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE - HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE COURSE

REF: FREETOWN 12

1. The Department of State has reviewed its files and finds
that it possesses no credible information of gross violations
of human rights by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces
(RSLAF) Forward Reconnaissance Unit, Joint Forces Command, or
its Commander, LTC Al-Hassan Bangura, who will be
participating in vehicle maintenance and driver training in
February 2010.

2. Commander
Name: Al-Hassan BANGURA
Rank: LTC
DOB: 8-8-1964
POB: Moyamba Town, Sierra Leone

3. Unit
Forward Reconnaissance Unit
Joint Forces Command
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces

4. POC is LtCol Leslie Bryant, USAF Defense Attache or
Thomas Bednar, Defense Liaison Officer, Defense Attache
Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

5. Embassy Freetown has reviewed its files and found no
information concerning gross human rights violations or
criminal activity by the individuals. Embassy is reminded
that it must maintain a record of its vetting results for the
following sections: Political, Regional Security and
Consular. Records should be maintained in the Political
Section.

6. Embassy Freetown is authorized to report this information
to the appropriate officials in the following language:
"Embassy reports that, as of this date, the Department of
State has no credible information regarding gross abuse of
human rights on the part of the named individuals."

7. If at any time Embassy becomes aware of any information
regarding incidents that could be deemed to be credible
information of gross violation of human rights by any
personnel involved in this training, Embassy should so inform
the Department and not proceed with the training.
CLINTON

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