Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"Bloody Diamonds" For Osama
Toogood reports ^ | June 20, 2002 | Toby Westerman

Posted on 06/20/2002 5:14:55 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen

Osama bin Laden's al Qaida and other terrorist groups are reaping vast profits from the illegal sale of diamonds acquired from mines in impoverished African nations, and sold through a vast – but covert – international network, according to German sources.

Diamonds, gold, and even uranium, extracted from the impoverished nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Angola in central and west African nations, are being exploited by questionable financial interests, some of whom have links to terrorist groups, resulting in many millions of dollars flowing into terrorist hands.

The financing of al-Qaida, as well as other terrorist groups, is the subject of a series of articles appearing in Der Spiegel On Line, the Internet version of the German news weekly.

A trail of diamonds, money, and weapons is beginning to unfold, as investigators and researchers begin to untangle a web of secrecy involving a high-stakes black market and multi-million dollar deals.

One of the major players is Liberia, a nation torn by civil strife since 1998 and led by strongman Charles Taylor, who is a close friend of Libyan dictator Muammar Kaddafi.

Although it is a very poor nation whose participation in international trade is minimal, Liberia has a significant role in the diamond trade.

Liberia, despite its poverty and war-torn society, exports approximately 25 times the amount of diamonds it can extract from its own mines, according to a study from "Canada-Africa Partnership," and reported by Der Spiegel.

Diplomats refer to Liberia as the region's "sluice gate" for money, which, in turn, is used by terrorists for arms, ammunition, and explosives, stated Der Spiegel.

UN experts report that bin Laden, as well as the Palestinian terrorist group Hisbolla, profit from the underground diamond trade, which originates in the mines in Congo, Sierre Leone, and Angola. Although there is no specific evidence, the UN experts believe that there is a link between the terrorist groups and certain Lebanese diamond merchants operating in the region.

One of the UN researchers, Johan Peleman, referred to Liberia, Congo, and Sierra Leone as "free trade zones," where the "beneficiaries are...criminal networks and terror groups," reported Der Spiegel.

These groups obtain diamonds and other precious stones "at a fraction of their market value," and then sell them to international gem traders. The next stop for these stones is the Antwerp, Netherlands, market, where most large gem stones are handled.

At each step of the trading process, large profits can be made, with untold sums finding their way into the pockets of international terrorism. Some members of the international intelligence community believe that Antwerp is the "financial hub" of Islamic terrorist groups, according to Der Spiegel.

International authorities recognize that greater control of diamond exports is needed, and by the end of this year stricter controls will be enforced. A certificate from a recognized nation authorizing the transport and sale of raw, uncut diamonds will become required. How effective the certification will prove to be is unclear.

Whatever future regulations may come into effect, al-Qaida, as well as other terrorist groups, have already amassed vast financial reserves.

The al-Qaida terror network alone has amassed a treasury of some five billion dollars, with expenditures of some 20 to 50 million dollars yearly, according to a study by Fredrick Schneider, a professor of Economics at the University of Linz, Austria, and reported in Der Spiegel.

In addition to illegal diamond sales, al-Qaida acquires capital from drug trafficking, and contributions from governments, religious groups, and individuals.

The Der Spiegel report did not identify which governments assist bin Laden.

The total expenditures by some 20 international extremist groups amount to between 270 to 300 million dollars per year.

Illegal diamond sales, drug trafficking, and free-will offerings, however, may not be the only methods al-Qaida uses to finance its operations.

Belgium police are investigating a possible link between the al-Qaida network and the perpetrators of a 192 million-dollar robbery - including diamonds – at the Brussels airport in October 2000.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

1 posted on 06/20/2002 5:14:55 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Stand Watch Listen
This needs some translation.

These groups obtain diamonds and other precious stones "at a fraction of their market value," and then sell them to international gem traders.

Market value being what the diamond cartel (DeBeers, GE, etc.) FIX the prices to be. That is, artificially high.

In addition to illegal diamond sales
How is ANY sale illegal? Sales can only be illegal when the market is not a free market. Here, the sales are illegal because they are outside of the cartel's officially approved, highly price and supply controlled, diamond market channels.

2 posted on 06/20/2002 5:21:35 AM PDT by bvw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stand Watch Listen
"Gosh, I'm sorry honey - I was gonna get you that rock, but then I found out that the profits go to terrorists."

Nah, don't think she'll buy it. Or even if she buys it, I don't think she'll care ;)

3 posted on 06/20/2002 5:32:51 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stand Watch Listen
i don't want to hear anyone suggesting a boycott of diamonds!
4 posted on 06/20/2002 5:35:17 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: general_re
Or even if she buys it, I don't think she'll care ;)

bloody diamonds can be rinsed off.....

5 posted on 06/20/2002 5:36:13 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
It's a matter of principle, don't you see? If I have to give up narcotics because the money goes to terrorists, then it's only fair that others should be called upon to make sacrifices to protect our nation also. Sooooo....

Diamonds are a terrorist's best friend. Boycott diamonds ;)

6 posted on 06/20/2002 6:14:31 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: general_re
no way is this getting off the ground...it is an obvious male ploy to get out from under buying jewelery....; )
7 posted on 06/20/2002 6:18:04 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: general_re
OK! But we should also question why our tax dollars, in millions, are going daily to African nations (really into the pockets of the despots that rule the African nations) that are helping the terrorists. Does that make any sense at all? And how about the millions now being sent to Africa for AIDS treatment? Is that a fair use of our taxes? (oops! that's not PC!)
8 posted on 06/20/2002 6:23:16 AM PDT by Paulus Invictus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
Noooo. Speaking for men in general, we love buying diamonds for our significant others - why, most of us really regret that there aren't more hours in the day for diamond shopping. Nothing makes men happier than writing checks with the word "thousand" on them, for a little piece of mineral that's suprisingly similar to cut glass. Why, sometimes they're so happy that their hands are just trembling and sweating as they sign checks like that...

BUT, what can you do? If that money is going to be used to destroy the American way of life, men will have to sacrifice, and give up the joy they feel when diamond shopping. It's hard, oh so hard, but it's the right thing to do...

9 posted on 06/20/2002 6:24:57 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: general_re
anyone cluing xshub into this scam is dead meat. i have a wedding anniversary this weekend.....
10 posted on 06/20/2002 6:27:12 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Paulus Invictus
exactly why it's important not to see this as an "either/or" situation. I plan to vote against pissing money away unnecessarily, and to stop buying diamonds. That way, all my bases are covered.
11 posted on 06/20/2002 6:28:15 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
So, let me get this straight.

Partisanship ends at the Waters Edge, but...

Patriotism ends just before the knuckle?

12 posted on 06/20/2002 6:29:57 AM PDT by hobbes1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Stand Watch Listen
Diamonds have always attracted criminals: compact, divisible (though at a loss) and virtually untraceable. And a market controlled by a cartel as ruthless as any mafia.
13 posted on 06/20/2002 6:30:41 AM PDT by antidisestablishment
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
anyone cluing xshub into this scam is dead meat. i have a wedding anniversary this weekend.....

Hmmmmmm..You have a Job, I certainly hope, that xshub will also be getting something of equal value, other than the enormous pleasure of your company....

Or are you a one-sided reverse sexist?

14 posted on 06/20/2002 6:32:34 AM PDT by hobbes1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: hobbes1
but he has everything he could ever want....; )
15 posted on 06/20/2002 6:34:51 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
That is Hardly the point. I KNEW you were a sexist.
16 posted on 06/20/2002 6:36:45 AM PDT by hobbes1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: hobbes1
well thank goodness you aren't calling me a feminist!
17 posted on 06/20/2002 6:40:00 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
anyone cluing xshub into this scam...

Scam? No. It's putting aside our own selfish interests for the good of the nation. And even though it's an enormously difficult sacrifice for men to make, etc., etc., it's one we're prepared to make. You do love your country, right?

18 posted on 06/20/2002 6:42:23 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: general_re
hmmm....my birthday is next month...i am prepared to become a super-patriot around the beginning of August. ; )
19 posted on 06/20/2002 6:44:35 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy
bloody diamonds can be rinsed off.....

Unbelievable.

20 posted on 06/20/2002 6:45:17 AM PDT by NeoCaveman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson