The report by the US Agency for International Development underlines the difficulty of enforcing an international embargo in Sierra Leone diamonds, as proposed on Tuesday by the British government. The British government wants the UN Security Council to approve an embargo within weeks, which would be qualified by a scheme to allow the export of diamonds certified as coming from government-controlled areas in Sierra Leone. The rebel Revolutionary United Front, which controls most of Sierra Leone's diamond-producing areas, has used the proceeds from illicit sales to buy weapons. The US State Department yesterday gave the British government proposals a cautious welcome. There seems to be consensus that it is easier to ascertain the identity of a mixed 'parcel' of stones of same origin, as opposed to a single stone or stones of mixed origin.
Smugglers deal in dollars.
If legitimate buyers cannot deal in dollars, or freely convertible currency, this creates the first and most powerful disincentive to legality. Cook to visit Freetown today Robin Cook, British foreign secretary, will arrive in Freetown, the Sierra Leone capital, today to discuss future UK commitments to the country with President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, Mark Huband reports from Freetown. British forces were deployed in Sierra Leone last month to evacuate hundreds of foreign nationals as they escaped fighting when rebels attacked government troops and took nearly 500 United Nations peacekeeping troops hostage. Mr Cook is expected to use his one-day visit to reassure Mr Kabbah's fragile government that the marines' departure will not compromise the security of Freetown. If you appreciate the information we provide, please support our work.