Adopted by the Security Council at its 4168th meeting, on 5 July 2000
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President
concerning the situation in Sierra Leone, and in particular its resolutions 1132
(1997) of 8 October 1997, 1171 (1998) of 5 June 1998 and 1299 (2000) of 19 May
2000,
Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty, political
independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 19 May 2000
(S/2000/455), and in particular its paragraph 94,
Determining that the situation in Sierra Leone continues to constitute a threat
to international peace and security in the region,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
A
Expressing its concern at the role played by the illicit trade in diamonds in
fuelling the conflict in Sierra Leone, and at reports that such diamonds transit
neighbouring countries, including the territory of Liberia,
Welcoming ongoing efforts by interested States, the International Diamond
Manufacturers Association, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, the Diamond
High Council, other representatives of the diamond industry and non-governmental
experts to improve the transparency of the international diamond trade, and
encouraging further action in this regard,
Emphasizing that the legitimate diamond trade is of great economic importance
for many States, and can make a positive contribution to prosperity and stability and to the reconstruction of countries emerging from conflict, and emphasizing further that nothing in this resolution is intended to undermine the legitimate diamond trade or to diminish confidence in the integrity of the legitimate diamond industry,
Welcoming the decision taken by the member States of the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at their Abuja summit on 28-29 May
2000 to undertake a regional inquiry into the illegal trade in diamonds,
Taking note of the letter of 29 June 2000 to its President from the Permanent
Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations and of its enclosure
(S/2000/641),
1. Decides that all States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit the
direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to their territory;
2. Requests the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure, as a matter of
urgency, that an effective Certificate of Origin regime for trade in diamonds is in operation in Sierra Leone;
3. Also requests States, relevant international organizations and other bodies
in a position to do so to offer assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone to
facilitate the full operation of an effective Certificate of Origin regime for Sierra Leone rough diamonds;
4. Further requests the Government of Sierra Leone to notify the
Committee established by resolution 1132 (1997) (“the Committee”) of the details of such a Certificate of Origin regime when it is fully in operation;
5. Decides that rough diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra
Leone through the Certificate of Origin regime shall be exempt from the measures
imposed in paragraph 1 above when the Committee has reported to the Council, taking into account expert advice obtained at the request of the Committee through the Secretary-General, that an effective regime is fully in operation;
6. Decides that the measures referred to in paragraph 1 above are
established for an initial period of 18 months, and affirms that, at the end of this period, it will review the situation in Sierra Leone, including the extent of the Government’s authority over the diamond-producing areas, in order to decide whether to extend these measures for a further period and, if necessary, to modify them or adopt further measures;
7. Further decides that the Committee shall also undertake the following
tasks:
(a) To seek from all States further information regarding the action taken by
them with a view to implementing effectively the measures imposed by paragraph 1
above;
(b) To consider information brought to its attention concerning violations of
the measures imposed by paragraph 1 above, identifying where possible persons or
entities, including vessels, reported to be engaged in such violations;