From BBC Online

Sierra Leone rebels probe al-Qaeda link


The RUF is worried by claims of al-Qaeda links

By Mark Doyle in Abidjan
A rebel group in Sierra Leone says it is setting up an internal inquiry into
allegations that some members may have sold illicit diamonds to Osama Bin
Laden's al-Qaeda terror network.

Al-Qaeda is blamed by Washington for the attacks on the US on 11 September.

At first the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) denied the allegations, which
were published in the Washington Post newspaper.



Illegal diamond mining is rampant in Sierra Leone

But a senior figure in the movement, Omrie Golley, has now told the BBC that
it is possible some RUF members may, in his words, have unwittingly dealt
with al-Qaeda.

He said the allegations were extremely serious and that his movement would
find out the truth about them.

The newspaper said the RUF had sold millions of dollars worth of
illegally-mined diamonds to men now named by the FBI as members of al-Qaeda.

The gems were then resold by al-Qaeda for huge profits, the paper said, or
used as a convenient secret repository of wealth in case the network's bank
accounts were frozen.

Credible report

The Washington Post report appears credible to anyone who has followed the
lawless trail of diamond smuggling in west Africa.

The Sierra Leone rebels, and others in the region associated with them, have
been shown in the past, including in United Nations reports, to be deeply
involved in criminal activities.

The RUF is clearly concerned about the public link with al-Qaeda.

Rebel officials have now begun saying that the RUF members named in the
newspaper report as having sold illegal diamonds to men on the FBI wanted
list are no longer part of the rebel movement.



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