VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHCL #0271 0151659
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151659Z JAN 08
FM AMCONSUL CASABLANCA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7940
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0015
INFO RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8189
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0003
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 2953
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0214
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 2310
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 2073
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0641
UNCLAS CASABLANCA 000271
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR IO/PSC, G/TIP AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KPRO MO
SUBJECT: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS: MINURSO
REF: A) 07 STATE 115894
B) STATE 02709
1. (U) This cable responds to a request for information on
MINURSO's efforts to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) and sexual
exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving UN peacekeeping mission
personnel in the Western Sahara and Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote
d'Ivoire. This message was cleared with Embassy Rabat and
represents coordinated Mission views.
2. (SBU) According to the Government of Morocco (GOM), TIP and SEA
are not a problem with the MINURSO mission in the Western Sahara.
In discussions with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA), Poloff was informed that MINURSO personnel have cooperated
fully with the GOM in efforts to deal with illegal migrants and
trafficked persons found in the Western Sahara. Furthermore, the
GOM is satisfied with MINURSO's efforts to control SEA and TIP in
the region.
3. (SBU) MINURSO Civil Affairs Officer, Claire Bamber, reported
that in 2007 there was one case of misconduct involving a Pakistani
peacekeeper and a local civilian. The case was reported and
thoroughly investigated. MINURSO ordered the Pakistani officer be
sent home as a result of the investigation. The incident has been
fully reported to the UN and the Security Council.
4. (U) In July of 2007 Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire were
accused of sexual abuse involving underage girls. The GOM fully
supported UN efforts to investigate the accusations. An inquiry
team, consisting of UN investigators and Moroccan army officers, was
unable to unearth any conclusive evidence of abuse. No formal
charges have been filed.
5. (U) MINURSO's Head of Mission and Special Representative of the
Secretary General for the Western Sahara, Julian Harston, strongly
SIPDIS
endorses the UN's zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual
exploitation and abuse. To further enhance the mission's already
strict policies, MINURSO welcomed, in February 2007, its first
Conduct and Discipline Officer. The officer will further develop a
mandatory training program regarding sexual abuse and exploitation.
6. (U) Mission was unable to locate any reports, other than the one
listed about by MINURSO, of SEA or TIP- involving MINURSO personnel.
We believe that the general public perceives no problem of this
nature with MINURSO.
GREENE