Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KINSHASA1108
2008-12-16 11:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
DRC: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ILLICIT DIAMOND
how-toVZCZCXRO7378 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1108 3511152 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 161152Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8906 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0010 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0018 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 2931 RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE 1387 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0190 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0074 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0013 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 4144 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0062 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001108
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON EFIN ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: DRC: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ILLICIT DIAMOND
ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 126054
Classified By: CCORKEY for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001108
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON EFIN ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: DRC: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ILLICIT DIAMOND
ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 126054
Classified By: CCORKEY for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on December 11 to
Mr. Paul Mabolia Yenga, Kimberley Process Coordinator at the
GDRC Ministry of Mines. Mabolia said the GDRC, as a member
of the Kimberley Process (KP),is aware of its
responsibilities to ensure that diamonds do not enter the
international diamond trade through the DRC's Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). He noted this would not
be the first time Zimbabwean diamonds passed through the DRC
to other countries, referring to the 2007 KP Review report of
diamonds smuggled from the Marange area to South Africa and
the DRC. Mabolia said the size of the DRC and the GDRC's
lack of capacity to control its borders make it very
difficult for the customs and law enforcement agencies to
prevent illegal exports of any kind. Mabolia said the KP
needs more cooperation and controls from the importing
countries because the international airports in the DRC
simply do not have the technology or ability to intercept
illegal diamonds.
2. (C) Mabolia said that of the 137 official buyers working
for the eight comptoirs, the foreign diamond buyers in the
DRC are responsible for most of the illicit diamond
smuggling, specifically naming the Indian, Lebanese, and
Israeli buyers. Mabolia attributed this accusation to the
difficulty Congolese face in obtaining visas and the cost of
air travel, prohibitive to most Congolese. Mabolia said he
has seen no recent indications of an increase in attempts to
certify illicit diamonds by the eight DRC comptoirs, but said
he would forward all of the information and suggestions both
to the Minister of Mines and to CEEC, the authority with
responsibility for implementation of the KPCS. Post will
report any subsequent reactions from the Ministry of Mines or
CEEC.
BROCK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON EFIN ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: DRC: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ILLICIT DIAMOND
ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 126054
Classified By: CCORKEY for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on December 11 to
Mr. Paul Mabolia Yenga, Kimberley Process Coordinator at the
GDRC Ministry of Mines. Mabolia said the GDRC, as a member
of the Kimberley Process (KP),is aware of its
responsibilities to ensure that diamonds do not enter the
international diamond trade through the DRC's Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). He noted this would not
be the first time Zimbabwean diamonds passed through the DRC
to other countries, referring to the 2007 KP Review report of
diamonds smuggled from the Marange area to South Africa and
the DRC. Mabolia said the size of the DRC and the GDRC's
lack of capacity to control its borders make it very
difficult for the customs and law enforcement agencies to
prevent illegal exports of any kind. Mabolia said the KP
needs more cooperation and controls from the importing
countries because the international airports in the DRC
simply do not have the technology or ability to intercept
illegal diamonds.
2. (C) Mabolia said that of the 137 official buyers working
for the eight comptoirs, the foreign diamond buyers in the
DRC are responsible for most of the illicit diamond
smuggling, specifically naming the Indian, Lebanese, and
Israeli buyers. Mabolia attributed this accusation to the
difficulty Congolese face in obtaining visas and the cost of
air travel, prohibitive to most Congolese. Mabolia said he
has seen no recent indications of an increase in attempts to
certify illicit diamonds by the eight DRC comptoirs, but said
he would forward all of the information and suggestions both
to the Minister of Mines and to CEEC, the authority with
responsibility for implementation of the KPCS. Post will
report any subsequent reactions from the Ministry of Mines or
CEEC.
BROCK