Military

DATE=10/25/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / CONFLICT DIAMONDS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268412

BYLINE=NATALIE WILLIAMS

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A two-day conference (EDS: Wednesday and Thursday) in London is trying to rally global support for action against the international trade in so-called conflict diamonds. As Natalie Williams reports from London, this latest round of discussions follows a South African conference on what African countries are doing to slow the trade of conflict diamonds.

TEXT: The British government is calling for support for an international certification scheme for diamonds. The aim is to stop the gems from being illegally mined and sold by rebel armies in Africa who then use the money to buy arms and fuel conflicts.

It is the second conference about conflict diamonds in just over a month. Both gatherings are searching for ways to end illegal diamond mining and smuggling. Campaigners say that already this year, the illegal diamond trade has injected four billion dollars into the war in Angola. Other warring rebel groups in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reportedly earned close to 30 million dollars from diamond smuggling this year.

British Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain says he is hopeful that an international certification scheme for diamonds can get the backing of the international community and the general support of all nations concerned about the problem.

/// HAIN ACT///

One of the reasons why we need an international mechanism - and one suggestion has been a treaty through the United Nations, but that's still to be pursued and agreed - is to give an international cover for those countries which are operating the system properly and to stop anybody as it were, slipping outside the system and abusing it.

///END ACT///

The certification scheme already has the support of the newly established World Diamond Council. But Council President, Elie Issackov, told British radio that the diamond industry is willing and able to police itself.

///ISSACKOV ACT///

First of all, we have just finished preparing import and export verification systems - or controls if you will - where every rough diamond that is going to be exported is going to be sealed by government officials, verify that it is conflict free, and every importing government will make sure that those diamonds came from countries that does have rough controls.

///END ACT///

Britain is hoping the certification scheme will be adopted by December in time for the Christmas and New Year's holiday buying season, when the purchase of diamonds traditionally increases. (Signed)

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