December 20, 2001
The U.N. Security Council says it is still concerned over the role of illicit diamonds in the conflict in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone has been ravaged by war since 1991, when the rebels launched terror campaign aimed at taking control of the government and lucrative diamond fields.
A week ago, a stalled disarmament programme in Sierra Leone's eastern diamond fields got under way again when a leader of the Revolutionary United Front ordered his fighters to lay down their arms.
The council said it welcomed the significant progress in peace efforts in Sierra Leone, the disarming programme and the efforts of the government to extend its authority over the diamond-producing areas.
But in a resolution it expressed "continued concern at the role played by the illicit trade in diamonds" in the conflict.
More than 37,000 combatants on all sides of the 10-year civil war have turned in their weapons since a ceasefire was signed late last year, according to U.N. figures.
The so-called "blood diamonds" or "conflict diamonds" have been targeted by the international community since revelations that rebel groups in Sierra Leone and Angola bought their weapons through diamond sales.
More Information on Diamonds in Conflict
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