ns on hold due to their frequent and unpredictable attacks. DiamondWorks solved this problem with their connections with several security firms. One in particular, Executive Outcomes (EO), forced RUF out of many large and important diamond-mining regions. With 200 imported soldiers, air support, and sophisticated communications equipment, EO pushed the RUF back from Freetown within a week, and within another month had cleared the major diamond areas of Kono as well. (PACNET) One reason that not many diamond-mining businesses have flourished in Sierra Leone is due to the fact that there is close to no security. In fact it is recommended by the government that foreign companies establishing themselves in Sierra Leone to provide their own protection. The resurgence of internal warfare in 1999 brought another substantial drop in GDP. The fate of the economy in 2000 depends on the mid-1999 peace accord holding and the rebels reopening territory under their control. (CIA Fact Book) There is much debate over what should be done, security wise, in Sierra Leone. This diamond rich country could potentially become extremely prosperous if the proper policing was available. Organizations such as EO could be very helpful to the economy of Sierra Leone if they were permanently placed to hold rebel groups back from the new diamond producing businesses. Due to the fact that there is not a monopoly company in Sierra Leone, such as DeBeers, there is plenty of opportunity for smaller firms to establish themselves. In the absence of a governmental capacity for self-protection, and in the absence of effective mechanisms for international protection, private security firms and mercenaries may be seen by some as the way of the future. (PACNET)There are other steps being taken in order to calm the situation in Sierra Leone. [U.N. Security] Council members made the remarks in a statement following the first periodic closed-door review of a resolutio...
