[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2003]


Security Council Ends Ban On Import of Rough Diamonds

United Nations (New York)
NEWS
June 5, 2003
Posted to the web June 5, 2003
New York
Citing the Government of Sierra Leone's increased efforts to control and manage
its diamond industry and ensure proper control over diamond mining areas, the
United Nations Security Council today announced its decision drop its ban on
precious stones from that country.
The Council's President for June, Ambassador Sergey Lavrov of the Russian
Federation, also cited Sierra Leone's full participation in the Kimberley
Process as among the reasons the 15-nation body agreed not to renew the three-
year old embargo, which expired at midnight yesterday.
The Kimberley Process is a negotiating procedure to establish minimum
acceptable international standards for national certification covering the
import and export of rough diamonds. It also includes participation by the
European Community and countries that produce and trade in the stones, industry
representatives and civil society.
"Members of the Council commended the Government's efforts to strengthen and
improve their management of the diamond industry," Ambassador Lavrov said in a
press statement, adding that they encouraged Freetown to continue these efforts
and to work closely with UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in ensuring the
security of the diamond mining areas.
He stressed that Council members agreed to continue to pay close attention to
the diamond sector of Sierra Leone because of its importance to the future
stability and security of the country.

   

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