Smiling all the way

Botswana will now market diamonds but De Beers' latest move may not please the neighbours

Smiles wreathed the faces of President Festus Mogae and the De Beers' Chairman, Nicky Oppenheimer, as they confirmed the De Beers-Botswana diamond partnership for the next quarter of a century. The deal, signed in Gaborone at the end of May, followed nearly two years of tough negotiation and gives Botswana, a leading producer, a new role as a leading marketer. Mogae can hand over to his Vice-President, Lieutenant General Ian Seretse Khama, in 2008, claiming to have secured the country's economic future

Article Tags:
Festus Mogae, Nicky Oppenheimer, Ian Seretse Khama, Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Israeli, Lev Leviev, Canada, South Africa

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