UNITED NATIONS, September 9 -- The American civilian employee of the UN Mission in Liberia accused of child sexual abuse until his recent and still mysterious death, Dale Fosnight, was belatedly a topic of discussion in and around the UN Security Council on September 9. Inner City Press asked U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, the Council's president for the month, for her views of the accusations against her country's national, and then asked the UN's head of Mission Ellen Loj for an update on the case.
She said the body was flown to Accra, Ghana for an autopsy, accompanied by the Liberian National Police, whose investigation remains ongoing. She denied, however, that she or anyone she knows in the UN had heard of similar allegations against Mr. Fosnight in Sierra Leone, as has been reported in the local press. Inner City Press asked Ambassador Rice, as transcribed by the UN Mission:
Inner City press: one other thing on Liberia. There is this case where an American civilian employee of UNMIL (inaudible) was under investigation for child sexual abuse while employed by UNMIL -- (inaudible) -- is that something that, I guess, as the U.S. with your interest in peacekeeping, are you aware of that case? And what do you think the U.N. should do to make sure -- (inaudible) --
Ambassador Rice: Well, Ambassador Loj did refer to that in her briefing to the Council. Obviously, the U.S. is gravely concerned about any allegations of sexual violence or abuse. And we take them very seriously. We understand that the government of Liberia and UNMIL are currently investigating those allegations and we await their findings.
Inner City Press asked Ellen Loj for an update on the case. She said "the investigation has been continued... after he passed away, unfortunately. I don't have the investigation done by OIOS yet. I have no knowledge and have not heard anyone in the UN [aware of] similar activities in Sierra Leone, but I'm sure it's part of the LNP [Liberia National Police] investigation."
When she said that the body had been transferred to Accra for autopsy, Inner City Press asked why. Ms. Loj said that until a year ago, Liberia had not capacity. Now they have a former UNMIL staffer, she said, employed by the World Bank.
So again: why was the autopsy not done in Liberia? Loj said she hadn't seen the results of that, either, adding that even she she has she might not speak to the press. The U.S. says they are awaiting the findings. But will the U.S., which speaks of zero tolerance and of transparency, make the findings public? Watch this site.
Footnote: In light of the U.S. statements about the end of impunity and those who have supported war criminals, Inner City Press asked:
Inner City Press: On Liberia, was there any discussion and what does the U.S. think of the truth and reconciliation commission? They were saying that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf should not be involved in public life for 30 years for having supported Charles Taylor. What's the UN, what is the Council's position, and what is the U.S.'s position on that?
Ambassador Rice: Well, the Council didn't discuss that in depth. I think we all recognize that President Johnson Sirleaf is the legitimately elected president of Liberia. The Council expressed strong support, members did in the broadest terms of the government of Liberia's efforts to improve the security situation, strengthen the security sector, enhance the rule of law and implement its poverty reduction and development strategy.
Repurcussions for having supported Charles Taylor, anyone?
