   |
|
afrol.com, 17 September - Angola's Foreign Minister, Joćo Bernardo de Miranda, yesterday welcomed the recent initiatives to limit the access of "diamonds of conflict" on the international market. Miranda participated in the UN General Assembly debate about the ole of sanctions, UN reform and globalization. Joćo Bernardo de Miranda said the government of Angola would fully cooperate with initiatives to limit the access of diamonds of conflict. He asserted that it was through the sale of illegally mined diamonds that the rebels led by Jonas Savimbi had reconstituted their "war machine" to launch a large-scale military campaign. Pointing out that persistent insecurity and instability in many regions of the world stemmed in part from a weakness in the international security system, the Minister urged a revitalization and strengthening of the UN system. This included Security Council reform and in UN peacekeeping operations. To this end, he welcomed the recent report on peace operations. Today, there is an embargo on the trade of diamonds originating in Angola or Sierra Leone. A certificate of origin issued by the respective government is needed for the legal sale of diamonds from these countries. However, many diamonds of Angolan and Sierra Leonean origin are marketed from neighbouring countries. Most of the trade is whitewashed through intermediaries, thus continuing to finance the terrorist guerillas of Angola and Sierra Leone. Angolan diamonds, produced in areas controlled by the UNITA, are believed to be marketed mainly through Togo and Rwanda. Sierra Leonean diamonds, produced in areas controlled by the RUF, re believed to be marketed mainly through Liberia and Cōte d'Ivoire, but also through Guinea. Source: Based on UN
|
