botswana: Botswana Denies Diamonds Forced Bushmen Off Reserve

The Botswana government has denied that diamonds were behind the controversial relocation of the Basarwa bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and has accused British advocacy group Survival International of a "campaign of deception." The Botswana human rights group Ditshwanelo, which is part of an NGO negotiating team on the future of the Basarwa, has distanced itself from Survival International's campaign which has focused on the alleged role of diamonds and the firm de Beers. Ditshwanelo said this "confrontational" intervention had stalled talks between the government and the negotiating team.