IRAN, RUSSIA, LIBYA VIE FOR URANIUM IN SIERRA LEONE

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000051

NOFORN
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO AND NEA/FO; P FOR UNDERSECRETARY BURNS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: EMIN PINR PREL IR RS LY SL
SUBJECT: IRAN, RUSSIA, LIBYA VIE FOR URANIUM IN SIERRA LEONE

REF: A. FREETOWN 005

B. 08 FREETOWN 593

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b),(d),a
nd (e)


1. (S/NF) A single source reported that Russia, Iran, Libya,
and others are competing for the mining rights to recently
discovered uranium deposits in Kono, Sierra Leone, and that
key local players have sent out feelers for the best
international offer. The source fears that the Russian
government would even stage a coup to assure control of the
mining rights; while a coup is extreme, the presence of
uranium, an active Iranian mission, a surprise (and still not
fully explained) visit from Libyan President Qadhafi, and
corrupt officials at the top of the Government hierarchy lend
credence to his concerns.


2. (S/NF) An expatriate mining and business executive with
nearly thirty years of experience in Sierra Leone approached
interagency Embassy officers on January 30 to relate his
concerns that uranium deposits in Kono (a region already
famous for its diamonds) could be sold to hostile powers,
including Russia, Iran and Libya. Emboffs had a subsequent
meeting with the individual on February 10. The executive,
married into a well-connected Sierra Leonean family, was
approached by a long-time associate, Alexander Alexie (LNU),
a Russian national. Alexie, claiming he was acting on behalf
of the Russian government in the matter, wanted source's
assistance in securing mining rights for the uranium via
source's family connections, following a failure to secure
them through regular GoSL channels.


3. (S/NF) According to the source, the uranium had been
uncovered by the previous government, and though many
expressed interest, failed for unknown reasons to move
forward with a deal. Currently, the Secretary General of the
Ministry of Mines, Alhaji Osman Boye Kamara, was blocking
Russian attempts to secure the uranium concession. Kamara is
reported to have close relationships with several senior
politicians in the current APC government of Ernest Bai
Koroma, including the Vice President. Alexie believed Kamara
was blocking the deal in favor of other foreign interests.
The source further alleged that the Russians considered
securing the rights (and keep them out of Iranian hands)
critical enough that they were exploring ways to stage a coup
and replace Kamara with officials in the Ministry of Mines
favorable to Russian interests. Allegedly, the Sierra Leonean
Ambassador to Iran was already tasked by Kamara to obtain an
Iranian offer for the rights; Alexie claimed such a deal
would undercut Russian supplies of uranium to (and consequent
leverage over) Iran, and allow Iran unfettered material and
opportunities to refine uranium.


4. (S/NF) The source also reported that a Russian general had
visited Sierra Leone to establish a coastal military presence
that would be located downstream from the mining site (Note:
Kono is over one hundred miles inland.) and allow
surveillance of buying, selling, and smuggling activities in
the area. Qadhafi's recent visit to Sierra Leone, which
Quadhafi himself couldn't explain publicly (reftel A),was,
according to the source, an attempt to insert himself into a
controlling role in the bidding for the uranium concession.


5. (S/NF) Vice President Samuel Samsumana, a Kono native, and
the Attorney General Abdul Serry-Kamal were also implicated
in looking for foreign assistance, with Samsumana tasked by
Kamara to approach the Chinese, and Serry-Kamal assigned to
look into mining companies to do the digging. The source
claimed his fears were confirmed when Serry-Kamal approached
him independently and asked him to find someone to do the
mining, though Serry-Kamal allegedly expressed concerns that
the uranium might fall into the "wrong hands," including the
Iranians, and is thus part of the process to prevent that
from happening.


6. (S/NF) Bio Note: The Government of Iran upgraded its
presence from a consulate to an embassy in mid-2008 and
expanded their "community activities." The Ambassador is Dr.
Nasrullah Maliki. He has been seen in close company with GoSL
leaders, including Chief Justice Tejan Jalloh.


7. (S/NF) Comment: There is uranium in them their hills, and
with the diamond trade continuing its decline due to a
reduction on both supply and demand-sides, is likely being
increasingly viewed as a huge revenue opportunity for the
government. With the heavy reliance on foreign donors for
direct budgetary support and the expected reduction in that
support due to the global financial crisis and resultant
decrease in available donor funds, exchange rate
fluctuations, and a drop in remittances, the government is
looking for quick, liquid solutions to its financial
problems. This imperative for support furthers Sierra Leone's
vulnerability to those with deep pockets and shallow
scruples. Given the robust diplomatic relations with Iran,
Libya, and China, a lucrative exchange of uranium for capital
is increasingly becoming a certainty, rather than a
possibility. Though Qadhafi's surprise visit actually seemed
to vex the Sierra Leoneans, in contrast, Iran is shining in
the spotlight of a strong public campaign surrounding their
support of Islam throughout the country. As reported in
reftel B, the Iranians work their diplomatic connections
convincingly, but are not timid about engaging high-level
government officials to further their own interests. A
back-door deal with the Iranians to mine the uranium in Kono,
a location with little international community penetration
and effective policing, could be easily and clandestinely
managed, from extraction to exportation. End comment.
PERRY