from: http://www.aci.net/kalliste/ Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.aci.net/kalliste/">The Home Page of J. Orlin Grabbe</A> ----- Diamond Market Diamond Wars in Africa Death is forever. A diamond company with concessions in war-torn Congo estimated to be worth more than $1bn, and which has links with the Zimbabwe and Congo governments, wants a London listing. The planned listing by Oryx, a Cayman Island-registered company, is certain to trigger questions about the extent to which trade in diamonds may be fuelling wars in Africa. Oryx's ownership of the concession in the Congo marks the first international agreement involving profit-sharing between two governments allied in Africa's most serious conflict. The disclosure comes as the British government steps up international efforts to stop the trade in diamonds from conflict zones ranging from Sierra Leone to Angola and Congo. Zimbabwe's military intervention in Congo since 1998 has cost President Robert Mugabe's government millions of dollars, straining the country's economy. In an effort to recover costs of the war, the Zimbabwe government and army have become involved in commercial ventures in the mineral-rich Congo. The success of the diamond venture, in which Zimbabwe is the main beneficiary, could prove critical to Mr Mugabe's cash-strapped government, which faces parliamentary elections next month. Oryx has a joint venture with companies owned by the Zimbabwe and Congolese governments. Details of the deal are revealed in Friday's edition of Africa Confidential, the London-based fortnightly newsletter. The Stock Exchange is understood to have investigated the planned listing of Oryx on the Alternative Investment Market, London's lightest regulated equity market, but has so far withheld judgment on the company. Oryx on Thursday night claimed that the output of the concession could not count as "conflict diamonds" because the area is not controlled by rebels. Oryx intends to list on June 13 through the reverse takeover of Petra Diamonds, a mining group already listed on AIM. The move allows the company to raise money or fund acquisitions through its paper. When Petra Diamonds announced the takeover of Oryx, it said that central and s outhern Africa hosted some of the best diamond deposits in the world and the directors believed that the potential rewards were substantial, even in the face of political challenges. According to the Petra announcement, the proposed executive chairman of the enlarged group is Thamer Al Shanfari, 32, who is described as a graduate of the Colorado School of Mining. The deputy managing director is Geoffrey White, 39, a science graduate with experience of business projects in Oman. One of the proposed non-executive directors is Ambassador Frances Cook, a former US state department official with a background in African affairs. Dr Moses Anafu, another proposed non executive director, is special adviser on political affairs in the Commonwealth Secretariat. Petra said Oryx had the commercial right to exploit its Congo concession south west of Mbuji Mayi. But DeBeers, the dominant world diamond producer, cast doubt on whether exclusive concessions could be granted in such an unstable region. The Financial Times, May 26, 2000 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
