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Due to the high value, relatively small size, and concealable nature of diamonds, the trafficking in diamonds and other precious gems could represent a simple and essentially risk- As such, the FBI recognizes the potential systemic vulnerabilities. in the current prevention of conflict diamond trafficking, and that the region and its resources require further monitoring. Currently there is an indication that trafficking of. conflict diamonds occurring throughout Africa may be'derivatively supporting the Lebanese terrorist group Hizbollah' through. religious-based contributions. This is based on the general understanding that Lebanese diaspora communities throughout Africa. control much of the diamond trade, as well as other export-import businesses. Many of these Lebanese are Shiite-Muslims with close monitoring of the situation is warranted. The official diamond trade in Sierra Leone has grown from 1.4 million dollars in diamond exports in 1999, to 6.5 million dollars in 2000, 26 million dollars in 200l, 4l.7 million dollars in. 2002, and 33.4 million dollars during the first five months of 2o03. The Sierra Leonean Police, the U.s. Embassy officials in Sierra. Leone, and U.N. Special Court personnel, opined that the majority of diamonds are illegally smuggled out of the country and that the total of official and illicit diamonds exported from Sierra Leone on. a yearly basis is estimated to be an amount up to 30o million dollars. While the Fbr's investigation did not show any connections. between al Qaeda and the trafficking of conflict diamonds, the risk of terrorist groups using such precious stones as alternative financing methods for laundering, transporting, or profit-generating purposes remains high. Additionally, other terrorist networks may currently benefit significantly from fund raising efforts directed. at those who are profiting from the diamond trade. As such, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. intelligence community, as well as their counterparts in other countries and international organizations need to be actively engaged to monitor what is. occurring throughout Africa in the movement and trade of precious minerals and gems. course of investigation - a confusion between the al Qaeda organization and the Hizbollah organization. Many individuals interviewed during this investigation freely interchange the terms Hizbollah and al Qaeda. 15