Greatgem Documents Disclosure (United States Agency for International Development)

January 24, 2024 RE:  USAID FOIA No. F-00130-24 (Acknowledgment Letter) Dear Mr. Johnson: Thank you for your letter dated January 24, 2024, requesting information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552.  The tracking number for your request is F-00130-24.  Please use this number when corresponding with our office. At this time, we are in the process of perfecting your request.  A perfected request for records reasonably describes such records and is made in accordance with published rules stating the time, place, fees (if any) and procedures to be followed.  This process includes reviewing the request for clarity and fee category determination and related commitment to pay, if applicable. Once your request is perfected, you will be notified of the FOIA Specialist assigned to process your case.  If you have questions, please contact us at .  Please cite the above-referenced number when corresponding with our office. (mailto:foia@usaid.gov) foia@usaid.gov Thank you. Sincerely, Sophia Williams
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division

February 02, 2024 USAID FOIA Request No. F-00130-24 (Immediate Action Required)
Dear Mr. Johnson:
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  This is in response to your January 24, 2024 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.  Specifically, you requested All memos and emails regarding Greatgem Corporation, incorporated in the Seychelles on July 21, 2010. (Date Range for Record Search: From 7/21/2010 To 12/31/2023). Clarification The FOIA requires that requests describe the records sought with sufficient detail to allow an agency employee familiar with the subject area of the request to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort.  The FOIA was not intended to reduce government agency staff to researchers or full-time investigators on behalf of FOIA requesters.  In this instance, your request does not adequately describe the records sought; therefore, we are unable to process it at this time.  If you wish to pursue your request, please provide as much information as possible, such as: how the subject matter relates to USAID, USAID personnel involved up to 5 names and the email domain for Greatgem Corporation.
Fees
You did not indicate an amount you are willing to pay to process your FOIA request. You requested a 100% fee waiver based on the following reasons: “1.) There is a high probability that Greatgem Corporation is a shell company established by high ranking officials in the Zimbabwean government, specifically presidential advisor Martin Rushwaya 2.) Greatgem Corporation is used by Zimbabwean presidential advisor Rushwaya and others to hide conflict "blood" diamonds to fund security forces and other off budget financing 3.) Conflict "blood" diamonds are used to fund terrorism, organized crime and cause instability in Africa 4.) US citizens purchases diamonds at high prices, typically for wedding celebrations 5.) US citizens have the right to know information regarding the diamond supply chain 6.) US citizens have the right to know whether their purchase funds terrorism, organized crime and instability 7.) Disclosed information regarding Greatgem will lead to greater understanding by the American public and can utilized by US journalists and US academics for further review and study The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.” Please note that while the FOIA does not require the requester to state the purpose of a request, this information is beneficial when determining a FOIA requester's fee category. Requesters are ordinarily required to pay for search, review, and/or duplication of responsive records. According to 22 CFR 212.14(k)(2)(i) “ The subject of the request must concern identifiable operations or activities of the Federal Government, with a connection that is direct and clear, not remote or attenuated Your fee waiver for this request will be denied according to 22 CFR 212.14(k)(2)(i) since it doesn’t pertain to the U.S. Federal Government but rather a foreign government. Because your request does not meet the criteria for a fee waiver and you are not considered to be a commercial or educational requester you will be placed in the "all others" fee category. See 22 C.F.R. 212.14(b)(8) .  As such, you will be charged for search ($40 USD per hour); the first two (2) hours will be free.  You will also be charged for duplication ($0.10 USD per page); the first 100 pages will be free.  There will be no charge for review. You must confirm your willingness to pay up to $100 USD in the "all others" fee category.  If we do not receive a response within 10 days of this communication, your non-response will be considered as a withdrawal.  Accordingly, your request will be closed and no further action will be taken on it.
Request on 10-day Hold
Your request has been placed on hold for 10 days pending your response to the information requested regarding clarification and fees: (1) written response clarifying the types of records you seek--as articulated above--within 10 days from the date of this communication, (2) confirming your willingness to pay $100 USD to process your request in the "all others" fee category.  If we do not receive a response from you within 10 days from the date of this communication, we will consider the non-response as an indication that you are no longer interested, and will close your FOIA request. This is not a denial of your request. Once we receive this information, your request will be perfected. You will be notified of the FOIA Specialist assigned to process your case. If you have questions, please contact us by email at foia@usaid.gov.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Sophia Williams
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division