October 20, 2000
--- Sierra Leonean Government to Resume Diamond Exports
As of October 12, the government of Sierra Leone can resume diamond exports after lifting a 3-month ban. The government has begun issuing specially printed certificates and operating an electronic system for monitoring compliance with the UN embargo on the sale of conflict diamonds. The certificates and the equipment are designed to ensure that no diamonds going to the international market come from mines controlled by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF).
--- De Beers in Talks to Resume Angolan Operations
The Financial Times reports that De Beers is negotiating a deal with the Angolan government that could reestablish rights to Angolan diamonds and secure mining and marketing rights over new diamond deposits discovered by De Beers. Both sides hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible. In February, Angola gave all marketing rights to ASCORP (Angolan Selling Corporation), a joint venture between the state diamond company, Sodiam, and Israeli-Russian businessman Lev Leviev. This move effectively pushed De Beers out, leaving them with only mining prospects in Angola. Gaspar Cardoso, chairman of De Beers Angola, said that De Beers has found 50 new kimberlite sites since 1998 and thinks some are diamond rich. Evaluating and mining these sites depend on reaching a global deal.
--- Liberia Retaliates with Visa Ban
In response to the United States visa ban on Liberian dignitaries, Liberian president Charles Taylor said his country would refuse entry visas to U.S. government officials, their spouses and families. In a statement, Reuters quoted Taylor as saying, "We want to state categorically and emphatically that we reject the accusation coming from the USA about gun running and diamond smuggling."
More Information on Sierra Leone
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