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UN on Sierra Leone embargo |
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The United Nations Security Council has reminded
all countries of their legal duty to prohibit the import of rough diamonds
from Sierra Leone. In a statement, the council noted that a panel of experts
had reported widespread violations of the international embargo on such
imports, imposed in July with the aim of cutting off a source of revenue for
rebels in the country. The panel, which reported its findings last month,
recommended extending the embargo to Liberia, whose president, Charles
Taylor, has close ties to the rebel movement in Sierra Leone, the
Revolutionary United Front. The Council is now studying a draft resolution to
prohibit all imports of diamonds from Liberia until the United Nations
certifies that President Taylor's governnent is no longer involved in the
illicit trade of diamonds and arms in the region.
Friday, 5 January, 2001, 23:21 GMT |