Freetown 10/10/69
Visited S.L.S.T. offices and were given a very interesting slide show.
Mr McNaulty was very convincing and I consider I.D.M. (illicit diamond mining) to be wrong. The country has undertaken to allow S.L.S.T. to mine for diamonds in 2 restricted areas on the undertaking that they pay the country 60% of the value of the diamonds mined. S.L.S.T. undertook the contract and obviously they expect to make a profit. I.D.M. is cutting down on this profit and this should not be allowed. S.L.S.T. could have gone to a politically more stable country and made profits and have been welcomed. However they came here because the profit would be higher, but nevertheless their contract should be honoured.
On the other hand the government know S.L.S.T. cannot pull out due to the high level of investment made in the country and are allowing I.D.M. to take place at the moment to put them in a better bargaining position with S.L.S.T. and thereby get a better percentage of S.L.S.T. profits.
Visited Fourah Bay College in the afternoon and Mr Doyle showed us around with the VSO man (Dennis). Gave lecture to students in the evening arriving at 20:30 instead of expected time of 20:00.
Went to a Soul Dance. Seeing Barry at 10:45 on Thursday.
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