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Iron ore deal 'bad for Liberia' Iron ore deal 'bad for Liberia'
(10 minutes later)
The world's largest steel company, Mittal, has been accused of setting up a state within a state in one of Africa's poorest countries, Liberia.The world's largest steel company, Mittal, has been accused of setting up a state within a state in one of Africa's poorest countries, Liberia.
The investigative group Global Witness say that a deal to mine iron ore allows Mittal to opt out of human rights and environmental laws and is inequitable.The investigative group Global Witness say that a deal to mine iron ore allows Mittal to opt out of human rights and environmental laws and is inequitable.
The country's frail economy is already impoverished by war and corruption.The country's frail economy is already impoverished by war and corruption.
Global Witness calls the deal a missed opportunity for Liberia. Mittal say the contract is being reviewed. Global Witness calls the deal a missed opportunity for Liberia. Arcelor Mittal say the contract is being reviewed.
BBC developing world correspondent David Loyn says Liberia's economy will undoubtedly be strengthened and the contract will provide jobs.BBC developing world correspondent David Loyn says Liberia's economy will undoubtedly be strengthened and the contract will provide jobs.
But Global Witness say the contract means Mittal will be unaccountable to the democratic government and not give it high enough returns. But Global Witness say the contract means Arcelor Mittal will be unaccountable to the democratic government and not give it high enough returns.
Mittal is planning to almost double in size in the next 25 years and half of the ore needed for that expansion is set to come from just one country, Liberia. Arcelor Mittal is planning to almost double in size in the next 25 years and half of the ore needed for that expansion is set to come from just one country, Liberia.
Under the contract, Mittal will be able to opt out of Liberian laws governing human rights or environmental standards and they will pay no tax for five years, in a deal which appears to be renewable by them. Under the contract, Arcelor Mittal will be able to opt out of Liberian laws governing human rights or environmental standards and they will pay no tax for five years, in a deal which appears to be renewable by them.
When they do finally pay tax, it will be at a price set by them.When they do finally pay tax, it will be at a price set by them.
The deal was signed in the last days of Liberia's interim power-sharing government, set up to end 14 years of war.The deal was signed in the last days of Liberia's interim power-sharing government, set up to end 14 years of war.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office in January, has said she will review all contracts signed by the interim government.President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office in January, has said she will review all contracts signed by the interim government.