(Rapaport…April 17, 2002) A United Nations panel of experts reports that the ban on Liberian diamond exports has eliminated them from the legitimate diamond market and helped curb their overall production, though some illicit black market trading may still exist. The panel suggests that the ban on diamond trading in Liberia could be lifted with minimal risk if the country established a credible certification system.
The panel will present its report to the Security Council on April 19. The presentation will also include a recommendation to extend the arms embargo against Liberia. The recommendation is based on what the panel described as “credible evidence” that the Liberian government is continuing to buy weapons despite the embargo.