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FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9271
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MONROVIA 001135 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EMIN ECON PGOV EAID LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: RESULTS REPORT: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KIMBERLEY 
PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME (KPCS) IN LIBERIA 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: UN Sanctions on the Liberian diamond sector were lifted 
in April of this year following the Kimberley Process 3rd Expert 
Review Mission findings that Liberia met the minimum requirements of 
the KPCS. The mission report detailed further preparations necessary 
to ensure that internal controls were effective. From end May to 
early September, the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) 
provided assistance to the Government Diamond Office (GDO), a part 
of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME), targeted to 
support internal controls and procedures prior to lifting the 
government imposed diamond mining moratorium. A hotline for advice 
was installed; a public awareness campaign about new KP procedures 
was conducted in mining communities and some regional offices were 
opened. The GDO website remains under construction and work remains 
on the 'Chain of Custody' process with a supporting database. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
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Background 
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¶2. The Kimberley Process was established as an intergovernmental 
response to conflict diamonds entering the marketing chain. With a 
ban on diamond trading within the neighboring country of Ivory Coast 
still in place, the Liberian model for Kimberley compliance had to 
be more robust than normally accepted and is based on an advanced 
'Chain of Custody' mechanism that is designed to ensure that rough 
diamond production is tracked from extraction to eventual export. 
This system works through a series of 10 regional offices located 
within the formal mining areas of Liberia. Production is verified at 
the regional office where vouchers for rough diamonds are issued to 
mining license holders. The voucher permits the producer to trade 
his diamonds within the network of authorized diamond dealers and 
brokers. The tracking system reinforces the newly constructed and 
equipped Government Diamond Office, the authority that will appraise 
the value for taxation and issue Kimberley Process certificates to 
parcels of diamonds destined for export. 
 
¶3. The Kimberley Process Chairman noted that in Liberia the real 
work would begin following the lifting of sanctions and Liberia's 
formal admission to the KPCS. As sanctions were lifted the previous 
US Geological Service program expired. With key recommendation areas 
incomplete the need for Technical Assistance remains. 
 
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Purpose 
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¶4. OTI financed a short term consultant to support the efforts of 
the Government Diamond Office to comply with key KP recommendations 
prior to the lifting of the mining moratorium, prioritized as a) 
developing import procedures b) continued testing and fine tuning of 
Liberia's KP procedures c) training of database staff d) outreach 
and training activities for staff and stakeholders and e) the 
opening of the remaining regional offices. In addition the 
consultant was tasked to support MLME staff to incorporate other 
government agencies into the work of improved diamond governance, 
continue work on Mano River Union harmonization and become an active 
member of the KPCS Working Group of Artisanal/Alluvial producing 
countries. 
 
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Study Tour 
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¶5. The consultant made an early visit to nine of the regional office 
sites to assess capacity of regional offices and officers as well as 
the level of stakeholder understanding of the new procedures. Of the 
10 targeted, only four regional offices were complete, with staff 
and equipment deployed. Previous community awareness campaigns had 
focused solely on regional office locations. Surrounding communities 
had received little information. 
 
 
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OTI Grants 
---------- 
 
¶6. An expanded campaign to increase mining community awareness of 
new diamond governance procedures was financed under an OTI grant. A 
local theatre group, 'House of Freedom' toured communities around 
the regional office locations delivering focused drama to over 70 
sites. Regional officers and GDO staff also participated in these 
events which greatly improved local understanding. The campaign also 
provided a telephone 'hotline to the GDO', with posters, signboards 
and fliers handed out by immigration to arriving passengers. The 
hotline has been accepted as a KP-recommended best practice for all 
member states. 
 
¶7. Prior to the deployment of the drama group all Regional Officers 
attended a two-day workshop (funded through a second OTI grant)that 
focused on managing regional offices, developing confidence within 
the communities and the working relationship between other MLME 
 
MONROVIA 00001135  002 OF 003 
 
 
field operatives. Confusion over overlapping roles was addressed; 
however, the relationship between Mining Agents, Mineral Inspectors 
and Regional Officers will require continued attention. 
 
¶8. A third OTI grant, still being executed, increases lines of 
communication and transparency. Through the creation of a GDO web 
page it is anticipated that all procedures and license applications 
will be available on line. The networking of the GDO system is 
assisting database operators to have instant access to the system 
designer. 
 
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Achievements 
------------ 
 
¶9. Import Procedures. The Import Procedure was developed, circulated 
and accepted. 
 
¶10. Diamond Tracking Procedures. Test runs continued, mineral 
vouchers reprinted, a hotline for advice developed, KP certificates 
produced, received and specimens circulated to KP together with all 
contact details. The mining moratorium was lifted at the end of July 
and licensing of diamond miners, dealers and brokers commenced. 
 
¶11. Training Database staff. Database procedures reviewed and staff 
continued to update the database with direct assistance from 
database designers. With the lifting of the mining moratorium the 
system was cleared of test information and database staff began to 
enter live data. 
 
¶12. Outreach and Training. Workshops with potential dealers, brokers 
and miners were completed in Monrovia. Regional officers continued 
to brief stakeholders in regional office areas with messages 
reinforced by the House of Freedom drama group. Training workshop 
for all regional officers were held in Monrovia. 
 
¶13. Regional Office deployment. Some problems remain with the 
deployment of UNMIL containers at three original locations. The 
Kavilahun office will now be moved to Bambala, and the location of 
Camp Alpha has been finalized. Weasua remains inaccessible and the 
container originally slated for Camp Alpha will be used to open an 
office in Sinoe. Temporary accommodation has been found in all 
locations and regional officers with necessary equipment have been 
deployed to all locations with the exception of Sinoe. 
 
¶14. Incorporation of other government agencies. A request for the 
Ministry of Finance to supply one customs official to the GDO was 
granted. GDO staff and the customs official held a workshop at 
Robertsfield International Airport to brief customs officials and 
airport security on new procedures. All major border points in 
western and northern Liberia have been visited and representatives 
of government agencies briefed. 
 
¶15. Mano River Union harmonization. The deputy minister made one 
visit to Sierra Leone as part of the Diamonds 4 Development support 
to Mano River Union harmonization. 
 
¶16. KP working group. Liberian representatives participated in the 
Working Group of Alluvial/Artisanal Producers meetings held during 
the KP intercessional in Brussels in June. 
 
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Additional Issues 
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¶18. Independent Diamond Valuer (IDV). A tender document for the 
supply of independent diamond valuation and training services has 
been prepared and forwarded to the Public Procurement and 
Concessions Commission (PPCC). Interim IDV services have been 
provided to the GDO through the USAID GEMAP LIBAMM program to 
support newly trained GDO valuation staff during early exports. 
 
¶19. Budget. The consultant assisted the GDO in the formation of its 
2007 - 2008 budget application. The initial draw down of funds is 
awaiting final authorization within the MLME. Included in the budget 
are substantial salary increases for GDO staff and regional officers 
in keeping with KP recommendations and an allocation to pay for the 
procured IDV services 
 
¶20. Chain of custody. The chain of custody remains potentially 
flawed if it is based on the immediate integrity of all diamond 
miners to report their production to the regional office. It is also 
dependent on all sales transactions being adequately recorded. 
Despite best intentions, the 20 regional officers cannot effectively 
 manage this system on the front line.  There is a need to increase 
the number of regional officers. 
 
¶21. Other training needs. The workshop held with Regional Officers 
included a session to coordinate the activities of all field staff. 
The need to include ministry Mining Agents and Mineral Inspectors 
within training programs was evident to ensure a 'united' front. 
Mining Agents are the start of the mining license trail and Mineral 
Inspectors are responsible for ensuring operations are legal. 
 
MONROVIA 00001135  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶22. First Export. Liberia has recently exported its first diamond 
parcel under KPCS. The parcel consisted of stocks accrued prior to 
the lifting of sanctions and as such were not verified by the chain 
of custody. The discussion on how to handle stocks and even 
uncertified production continues. 
 
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Necessary Actions 
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¶23. Support to Database and Chain of Custody. 
While GDO staff will continue to drive procedures upstream through 
direct contact with dealers and brokers, regional officers will be 
stretched to ensure all production is registered. With Liberia as a 
KP focus nation, a measured package of assistance designed to 
protect and develop the 'Chain of Custody' and the supporting 
database is necessary. 
 
¶24. Benchmarks. There are a series of activities related to KP 
recommendations for which the Government of Liberia is directly 
responsible. An illustrative list includes, but is not limited to: 
 
--GDO budget implemented 
--Additional staff recruited (regional office coordinators and 
additional regional officers for Sinoe) 
--Progress on the IDV tender 
--Action on the Liberian Shipping Registry 
--Invite KP review mission 2008 
 
These items should be tasked as a series of performance benchmarks. 
 
 
¶25. Extension services and benefits: The Diamonds for Development 
(D4D) initiative was developed by the Government of Liberia through 
the MLME in partnership with UNDP, highlighting the development of 
policies that return benefits to mining communities. This program 
must work closely with MLME in support of chain of custody within 
mining areas. 
 
¶26. Presidential Task Force: A task force was established to oversee 
the implementation of the Kimberley Process in Liberia. Remaining 
work is now of a more technical nature and the task force should 
examine its future role. A possibility could be the establishment of 
an oversight board. 
 
BOOTH