System to curb blood diamonds
2002-11-06 10:37
Interlaken, Switzerland - Fifty-two countries on Tuesday announced that they had formally adopted an international certification system to take effect progressively from January 1 aimed at stopping "blood diamonds" reaching world markets.
They made the announcement in a written statement following a
two-day meeting here to discuss setting up the certification system under the Kimberley Process, launched in South Africa in 2000, to stifle trade in rough or uncut diamonds mined in conflict areas.
Forty-six countries said they would implement the scheme on
January 1, 2003, while six countries - Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Japan, Malta, Thailand and Ukraine - which have only recently
joined the Kimberley Process, pledged to set it up by the end of
2003.
The diamonds are produced in areas of conflict and help finance civil wars in countries such as Sierra Leone, Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo.
"We are glad to announce to you this afternoon that we adopted
the Kimberley Process certification scheme which is the outcome of two years' work," South African Energy Minister, Phumzile Mlambo Ngeuka, told reporters.
Switzerland and South Africa co-chaired the Swiss meeting, which involved governments of diamond trading and producing countries, as well as officials of the diamond industry.
The Kimberley Process is supported by the United Nations and
more than 52 participating countries - including those of the
Southern African Development Community and the European Union,
Switzerland, the United States, as well as the diamond mining and
cutting industries. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA