ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13213Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13213

Additional Measures With Respect To Prohibiting the Importation of Rough Diamonds From Sierra Leone

This executive order expands an existing national emergency blocking rough diamond imports from Sierra Leone by also prohibiting direct or indirect importation of all rough diamonds from Liberia, regardless of origin. The measure targets Liberia's role as a transit hub for Revolutionary United Front blood diamonds and implements UN Security Council Resolution 1343. The prohibition took effect immediately at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 23, 2001.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 28829

Impact dates

  1. Treasury/State to promulgate rules and regulations as necessary

  2. Order effective: import prohibition takes effect

Key directives

  • Prohibit direct or indirect importation of all rough diamonds from Liberia, regardless of origin, effective May 23, 2001
  • Prohibit transactions that evade or attempt to violate the import ban
  • Authorize Treasury Secretary, in consultation with State Secretary, to promulgate implementing regulations and employ IEEPA/UNPA powers
  • Direct all federal agencies to take appropriate measures to carry out the order, including modifying or terminating existing licenses

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Import prohibition effective May 23, 2001 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
  • All rough diamonds from Liberia barred from U.S. entry regardless of actual origin

Near term (90d)

  • Treasury/State Department implementation of regulations and licensing framework
  • Agency review and modification of existing licenses

Long term

  • Ongoing enforcement of Liberia diamond sanctions
  • Potential expansion of sanctions regime based on regional developments

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit regulatory deadline specified; 'as may be necessary' leaves timing uncertain
  • Certificate of Origin regime for Sierra Leone diamonds remains in place while Liberia transit route is severed—potential for smuggling rerouting
  • Liberian government complicity finding may escalate bilateral tensions but no further sanctions specified
  • Evasion prohibition (Section 2) creates broad liability for U.S. persons with limited guidance on compliance scope
Executive Order 13213: Additional Measures With Respect To Prohibiting the Importation of Rough Diamonds From Sierra Leone · Executive Orders