[jatgoodwin]

Except the diamonds discussed in the article are from Botswana, where the article states "the firm paid the Botswanan government eighty-five million dollars in taxes, and nearly thirty million in royalties, on profits of about a hundred and eighty-five million."

Seems pretty good deal for the Botswanans.

[arczyx]

To be fair, paying the government in taxes and royalty does not mean that the diamond is not obtained through exploitation of the local population while the corrupt officials took the money (this sometimes happened in my country).

I don't really know about Botswana though, if those money actually go to the Botswanans then good for them.

[grecy]

> I don't really know about Botswana though, if those money actually go to the Botswanans then good for them.

Botswana is probably the best run and least corrupt country in Southern Africa (maybe all of Africa). They've never had a war of any kind, are incredibly friendly to everyone regardless of skin color, etc. etc.

They are famous for tricking the British into giving them mineral rights before they were granted independence, and have used that money wisely the benefit the local people. Huge success story, and fantastic country.

[tacheiordache]

We, Romanians are very emotionally attached to Botswana’s currency. It means in Romanian, the most important thing men pride themselves with.