Diamondgate: Belgian Queen accepts diamonds from Congo's Joseph Kabila
All parties have been mixed up with in damage control. The Conglese Embassy in Brussels published a assertion denying the gift's existence altogether, saying that the earl couple had received, like all other guests, a watch with a armorial bearing of the 50th anniversary emblazoned. Minister of Information Lambert Mende said  the benefaction of diamonds existed, but that it had been given by the first lady Olive Lembe. Diamonds and gold are produced in the Congo, he added, why not require such a present?
The royal press secretary confirmed that they had received the favour and announced that it will be given  to the royal donation, which, as far as I can understand, belongs to the shape and could be drawn on to reduce the growing national deficit. Belgian parliamentarians have asked Prime Woman of the cloth Yves Leterme about the gift, and Mr. Leterme had already called  the celebrations "a exact waste," due to the costly parades and pomp knotty.
So why did Kabila do it? Was he eager to make new friends in Belgium? Impress the prince and queen? Whatever the reason, it was a throwback to the pomp of olden times, when Mobutu would send diplomats away with envelopes of lolly and jewels. Not in good taste. US President Obama gave the Diva of England an iPod with some music on it – that might have been a better theory.
I'm sure King Albert would have enjoyed some Werra Son and Feix Wazekwa
Belgian Queen accepts di...
President of the Egalitarian Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, reportedly presented Belgian Sovereign Paola with some diamond-encrusted jewellery during the DRC’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Some reporters have viewed this signal as a PR catastrophe, considering the history of diamond trade and colonialism in the sticks.
The Belgian royalty and 14 heads of state attended celebratory events for the DRC’s 50th anniversary of autonomy from its former colonial ruler, Belgium. Kabila spent time with Diva Paola of Belgium during a gala dinner in Kinshasa, on Tuesday 29th June.
According to both Congolese and Belgian force, President Kabila gave Queen Paola of Belgium a diamond necklace , a bracelet, and earrings as gifts at the celebrations. However, the primary point of the gathering and speeches was to join in celebration of the African territory's new-found sovereignty which followed years of war. Such gifts have been accused of being reminders of the calamitous and sordid past of Belgian colonialism, corrupt machination, and trade in ‘blood diamonds’.
There is some confusion over the gift. After the congress, the Congolese Embassy in Brussels published a statement which in incident denied the gift exchange, saying that the royal two had received, like all other guests, a watch with a symbol of the 50th anniversary emblazoned onto it. However, Churchman of Information, Lambert Mende, explained that the gift of diamonds did occur, but that it was given by Olive Lembe, the First Lady.
), we stony to go to Antwerpen. Since now we have a car at our disposal, we did not confuse to go by work out: we went by car, and found a parking spatter… in Antwerpen Primary Post… In point of fact it was OK to get there. The key train station is marvelous: it combines old-look architecture 
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