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Diamond exports to resume

[Tajikistan] Women fetching water from the river. James Hill
pakistan women
    ABIDJAN

    Sierra Leone was expected to resume diamond exports on Thursday after a three-month ban aimed at preventing rebels from selling gems to buy weapons.

    A group of international diamond experts is to hand over export certificates and a communications system to the authorities, the BBC said. The equipment is designed to ensure that no diamonds going to the international market come from mines controlled by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) fighters. Such stones have become known as "blood diamonds" because of atrocities carried out against civilians - such as cutting off limbs - in the RUF's quest for the gems.

    The United Nations imposed the ban. A UN team appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently visited neighboring Liberia to investigate allegations that President Charles Taylor was involved in the diamond and arms trade. The United States on Wednesday imposed a travel ban on Liberian officials and their families because of the government's alleged links with the RUF.

    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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