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UK Minister points finger at Liberia

    ABIDJAN

    "There is continuing evidence establishing close links between the rebels in Sierra Leone and supporters in Liberia," British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told parliament in London on Tuesday.

    "Liberians are profiting from illegal diamond smuggling," Cook added in a statement outlining Britain's strategy in Sierra Leone which, he said, has three objectives - "to repel the rebels, to restore the peace process and to rebuild" the country.

    The first aim will be achieved by building an effective army, and the second by seeking funds to restore the peace process, Cook said on the eve of a scheduled visit to Sierra Leone, where he was expected to arrive late on Wednesday.

    Rebuilding the country, the third objective, requires bringing its diamond area under the control of Sierra Leone's government and the UN, Cook said.

    [See separate item titled 'SIERRA LEONE: Cook points to Liberia-RUF diamond connection']

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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