Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE63263
2009-06-18 16:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

UNSC CDI SANCTIONS COMMITTEE GROUP OF EXPERTS'

Tags:  EFIN EMIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER XY UNSC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0014
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3263 1691717
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 181655Z JUN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 6569
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 3609
UNCLAS STATE 063263 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EMIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER XY UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC CDI SANCTIONS COMMITTEE GROUP OF EXPERTS'
DIAMOND REQUEST

REF: S/AC.45/2009/GE/OC.107

UNCLAS STATE 063263

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EMIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER XY UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC CDI SANCTIONS COMMITTEE GROUP OF EXPERTS'
DIAMOND REQUEST

REF: S/AC.45/2009/GE/OC.107


1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to send,
through David Biggs in the Secretariat, a letter to the Group
of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1842 of October
29, 2008 concerning Cote d'Ivoire. Resolution 1842 renewed
the measures overseen by the Committee established pursuant
to resolution 1572 (2004) concerning Cote d'Ivoire. Those
measures include an arms embargo, targeted asset freeze and
travel ban for those designated by the Committee, and a ban
on importation by any State of all rough diamonds from Cote
d'Ivoire. The letter to the Group of Experts conveys
information on the steps taken by the United States to comply
with the Cote d'Ivoire diamond ban.


2. BEGIN LETTER:

In response to the May 6, 2009 letter from the Group of
Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution
1842 (2008) concerning Cote d'Ivoire, the United States
wishes to inform the Group of Experts that U.S. authorities
have implemented procedures to control the importation of
rough diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire. As appropriate and
necessary, U.S. authorities communicate with the Working
Group of Diamond Experts of the Kimberley Process, in order
to evaluate whether a shipment in question may contain
Ivorian diamonds. For example, this process was followed in
connection with an April 2009 seizure in New York. Through
these case-by-case communications, and with the direct
assistance of the Working Group of Diamond Experts, U.S.
authorities benefit from the footprint that continues to be
developed by the Working Group.

The United States also notes that, through the State
Department and U.S. Geological Survey, it has assisted the
Kimberley Process Working Group on Diamond Experts in recent
years with the development of a diamond production footprint
specifically for Ghana. This has furthered efforts to help
diamond-importing countries identify the origins of rough
diamonds, particularly from countries, such as those in the
region of Cote d,Ivoire, which export diamonds from
artisanal production.

Additionally, the United States wishes to inform the Group of
Experts that U.S. authorities have carried out the rough
diamond investigations listed below. Please note, however,
that these seizures and investigations relate to alleged
non-compliance with the various provisions of the Clean
Diamond Trade Act, rather than any specific concerns that the
rough diamonds may have originated in Cote d,Ivoire:

- 2009: Three shipments seized: one case resolved through
administrative process, and two cases remain open and pending
within the appropriate administrative processes.

- 2008: Ten shipments seized: five cases resulted in
administrative forfeiture, and five were resolved through
administrative processes.

- 2007: Twelve shipments seized: six cases resulted in
administrative forfeiture, two cases were judicially
forfeited, three cases were resolved through administrative
and judicial processes, and one case remains open in the U.S.
Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

- 2006: Eight shipments seized: three resulted in
administrative forfeiture, four were resolved through
administrative and judicial processes, and one resulted in a
judicial settlement and forfeiture.

END LETTER


3. The Department appreciates the Mission's assistance.
CLINTON