SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS PROHIBITION OF DIRECT, INDIRECT IMPORT OF ROUGH DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE UNTIL 5 JUNE 2003

Security Council

4654^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS PROHIBITION OF DIRECT, INDIRECT IMPORT

OF ROUGH DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE UNTIL 5 JUNE 2003

The Security Council decided this morning to extend the prohibition on direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone for a new period of six months, until 5 June 2003.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1446 (2002), as orally amended, the Council further decided that it would review the situation in Sierra Leone at the end of the period, including the extent of the Government's authority over diamond-producing areas.  Rough diamonds controlled by the Government under the Certificate of Origin regime would continue to be exempt from the prohibition.

The Council emphasized that the Government of Sierra Leone must strengthen its efforts to extend its authority throughout the country, including the diamond-producing areas, and noted with concern that the situation in Liberia remained a threat to security in Sierra Leone, especially the diamond-mining areas.

The prohibition was initially enacted by the terms of resolution 1306, adopted on 5 July 2000, as the Council was concerned at the role played by the illicit trade in diamonds in fuelling the conflict, and at reports that such diamonds transited neighbouring countries, including Liberia.

The meeting began at 11:47 a.m. and was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of Security Council resolution 1446 (2002) reads, as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the situation in Sierra Leone, and in particular its resolutions 1132 (1997) of 8 October 1997, 1171 (1998) of 5 June 1998, 1299 (2000) of 19 May 2000, 1306 (2000) of 5 July 2000 and 1385 (2001) of 19 December 2001,

"Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,

"Welcoming the end of the conflict in Sierra Leone, the significant progress made in the peace process and improvements in the overall security situation in the country, including in the diamond-producing areas with the assistance of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone,

"Emphasizing that the Government must strengthen its efforts to extend its authority throughout Sierra Leone, including the diamond-producing areas, and that the international community should continue providing assistance to reintegration of former combatants, and noting with concern that the situation in Liberia remains a threat to security in Sierra Leone, especially the diamond-mining areas, and to other countries in the region,

"Recalling the role played by illicit trade in diamonds in fuelling the recent conflict in Sierra Leone, and expressing its concern at the current large volume of illicit trade in diamonds and its potential negative impact on the fragile situation in Sierra Leone,

"Welcoming General Assembly resolution A/RES/56/263 of 13 March 2002, as well as ongoing efforts by interested States, the diamond industry, in particular the World Diamond Council, and non-governmental organizations to break the link between illicit trade in rough diamonds and armed conflict, particularly through the significant progress made by the Kimberley Process, and encouraging further progress in this regard,

"Emphasizing the responsibility of all Member States, including diamond-importing countries, for fully implementing the measures in resolution 1385 (2001),

"Taking note of the views of the Government of Sierra Leone on the extension of the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1306 (2000),

"Determining that the situation in the region continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1.   Welcomes the latest report of the Government of Sierra Leone entitled the Fourth Review of the Certificate of Origin Scheme (S/2002/826) of 25 July 2002, including its assessment that the Scheme is helping to curb the illicit trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone;

"2.   Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1306 (2000) shall remain in force for a new period of six months from 5 December 2002, except that, pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 1306 (2000), rough diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone under the Certificate of Origin regime shall continue to be exempt from these measures, and affirms that at the end of this period it will review the situation in Sierra Leone, including the extent of the Government's authority over the diamond-producing areas, in order to decide whether to extend these measures for a further period and, if necessary, to modify them or adopt further measures;

"3.   Decides also that the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1306 (2000), as extended by paragraph 2 above, shall be terminated immediately if the Council determines that it would be appropriate to do so;

"4.   Decides that the Committee established by resolution 1132 (1997) shall continue its consideration of the measures referred to in paragraphs 2, 4 and 5 of resolution 1171 (1998) and present its views to the Council;

"5.   Requests the Secretary-General to publicize the provisions of this resolution and the obligations imposed by it;

"6.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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