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Dirty Diamonds - Angola
Nov 1996 Angola boasts the most dangerous and illegal diamond mines in the world. From an aerial view, hundreds of men work like black ants on the crater ridden landscape. In small groups, bare chested, knee deep in murky water they seive gravel for hours until they spot the glitter of one tiny diamond. In town, we interview an illegal trader who compares diamond dealing to the blood diamond trade in a warzone. He takes out a small paper package from his trouser leg and slowly unwraps a cluster of uncut jewels. He carries them to bribe his way out of any difficult situations. The De Beers diamond cartel is keen to stop the illegal diamond trade. A spokesman maintains that most of Angola's diamonds are smuggled out the country and are therefore denied to the people of Angola. "We would like to develop a first class diamond field and build a proper mining operation. In this way the country can be further developed." Local mining companies depend on private security firms to guarantee their safety. While filming, bandits with grenade launchers and machine guns take our reporter by surprise. After much bargaining, she is finally allowed to leave the area.