A top Rwandan government official questioned the need for a UN investigation into claims that Rwanda and Uganda are engaged in looting diamonds and gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The accusations are "groundless", presidential aide Amri Sued Ismael told reporters late Wednesday after the UN investigation team arrived here for talks with President Paul Kagame.
The government in Kinshasa has accused Rwanda and Uganda, which back rebel movements fighting DRC President Laurent Kabila, of robbing the country of its natural resources, primarily diamonds and gold.
"We are happy that there is an investigation team here to see if (the accusations) have not been a diversionary tactic from the beginning for those who want the war to be perceived differently," Sued said.
"Diamonds are probably being taken here and there. ... They have always been gathered, but the war offers a perfect opportunity for smugglers," he said.
"These smugglers are not necessarily state condoned, they have always been there. ... Kabila himself has been a diamond gatherer, so it is really a surprising issue," he added.
Safiatou Ba-N'Daw, head of the investigation set up in August by the UN Security Council, said her team "had work to do and that is what we're trying to do".
After investigations in DRC and Uganda, the team was set to travel to Burundi, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia.
They are to hand in an interim report in December and a final report is due early next year, said Ba-N'Daw, who is from Ivory Coast.
Last month, Kagame charged that some Rwandan soldiers and civilians were involved in illegal practices in DRC – KIGALI (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
