Liberia revises and shortens Firestone rubber contract

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

MONROVIA (AFP) — Liberia's government on Friday cut by 50 years its contract with US giant Firestone, which runs the world's largest rubber plantation in the west African country.

A revised agreement signed Wednesday by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government and Firestone Liberia tightens up on the terms of a deal cut with an interim post-war government, according to a copy made available to AFP.

Firestone's concession to operate has been cut back until 2041, instead of 2091, and the company has also agreed to maintain the rubber tree plantations, covering 400,000 hectares (1,540 square miles), to enable further production when the concession expires.

The American firm has operated in Liberia for more than 80 years and is the largest private employer...