The United Nations applauded further progress in Liberia's forestry sector but said more needs to be done to reform the diamond mining industry before the world body will lift sanctions against the country's export of rough diamonds, regarded as “blood diamonds” because they help finance conflict.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) “urged the Liberian Government to accelerate the implementation of the necessary reform measures, including stronger management and effective verification and accountability mechanisms, so that Liberia can soon join the Kimberley Process,” an international certification process, according to a statement, read by current council president Kenzo Oshima, of Japan.
While “encouraged” by steps Liberia has recently taken to assert greater control over diamond industry, the Council said “more needs to be done for Liberia to establish a Certificate of Origin Regime for export of Liberian rough diamonds,” the statement added.
The statement was issued after the Council was briefed by Ambassador Ellen Løj, chair the a UN sanctions committee, that is backed by a five-member expert panel monitoring the sanctions regime which was first imposed on Liberia in May 2001.
The statement also noted the Council's wish to lift the ban on diamonds “as soon as possible, so that revenues from the diamond sector can benefit the Liberian people.”
A previous ban on the export of round logs and timber from Liberia was lifted by the Council on June 20, when it also voted unanimously to renew for six months until 20 December 2006 - the ban on the direct or indirect importation of Liberian diamonds.
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