DATE=8/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/LIBERIA / TAYOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265508
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is denouncing as ridiculous
a report that it is involved in a plot to assassinate
the leader of Liberia, President Charles Taylor, who
is accused of helping rebels in neighboring Sierra
Leone through diamond smuggling. Correspondent Nick
Simeone reports Washington is renewing a threat to
isolate the Liberian leader if his government does not
stop dealing in Sierra Leone diamonds.
TEXT: The United States and other countries accuse
Liberia's leaders of enriching themselves with
millions of dollars in diamonds from neighboring
Sierra Leone in exchange for providing rebels there
with food and weapons. In May, documents found in the
home of Sierra Leone's rebel leader, Foday Sankoh,
indicated he was shipping diamonds through Liberia
with President Taylor claiming much of the profit.
Last month, the Liberian president was given a very
public warning by Washington, during a visit by
Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering, to stop
trading in illicit diamonds. But he continues to do
so, according to State Department spokesman Phillip
Reeker.
/// REEKER ACT ///
There is continuing strong evidence that Liberia
has been the primary patron of the Revolutionary
United Front (R-U-F) in Sierra Leone.
/// END ACT ///
This, despite a United Nations ban imposed last month
on the sale of Sierra Leone diamonds mined in rebel-
held territory.
/// REEKER ACT TWO ///
We haven't seen anything to suggest the illegal
trade in diamonds and arms in support of the RUF
has ceased.
/// END ACT ///
Sierra Leone's civil war began nine years ago and can
be traced to the war in neighboring Liberia, where, at
that, time Charles Taylor was a leader of the
country's largest rebel group, with ties to other
groups in the region. As Liberian president, Mr.
Taylor denies helping arm Sierra Leone rebels, who
have killed and maimed thousands of civilians and
refuse to turn in their weapons to United Nations
peacekeepers.
But a day after the United Nations voted to establish
a war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone, U-S officials
are now warning the next step may be sanctions against
Liberia if its alleged trade in illicit diamonds does
not end. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/ENE/JP
15-Aug-2000 16:16 PM LOC (15-Aug-2000 2016 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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