Diary From bin Laden Associate Shows al Qaeda Link to Tanzanite
The Wall Street Journal ^ | Thursday, January 24, 2002 | GLENN R. SIMPSON and ROBERT BLOCK
LONDON -- The diary of a former personal secretary to Osama bin Laden reveals that al Qaeda may have been using a popular blue gemstone to help finance its operations as early as 1995. The day planner of Wadih el Hage, who was convicted last year of conspiracy in connection with the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, provides the strongest documentary evidence to date of al Qaeda's involvement in the tanzanite trade.
Bought, Sold by Militants Near Mine, Tanzanite Ends Up at Mideast Souks
Wall Street Journal | November 16, 2001 | Robert Block and Daniel Pearl
A trade group called the Tanzanian Mineral Dealers Association denies that Mr. bin Laden's al Qaeda has any role in the tanzanite trade. But in the bars and cafes that dot the streets of Tanzania's mining community, the radical connections are no secret. According to miners and local residents, Muslim extremists loyal to Mr. bin Laden buy stones from miners and middlemen, smuggling them out of Tanzania to free-trade havens such as Dubai and Hong Kong.
Bin Larden benefitting from Tanzanite sales
Wall Street Journal | 11-16-01 | Robert Block and Daniel Pearl