2002

Conflict Diamond Issue Still With Us

June 2002

The conflict diamond issue has been a little quieter lately, but it’s not going away. Last week, "60 Minutes" did a story on how Canadian diamonds and how they are "cleaner" than other stones. And recently, the Diamond Registry received a letter from Saint Pius X High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania stating:

"We are writing to simply question you on your awareness of the "conflict diamond" issue … We agree with Amnesty International that a diamond certification system must be established as soon as possible and that it must be effective, transparent and legally binding in all countries. We also believe that effective national legislation controlling the diamond trade must be introduced in all countries which are involved in the trade, or through which diamonds are smuggled. Finally, we support Amnesty in its call for governments to take decisive action to bring to justice those responsible for the trade in diamonds and weapons with the RUF and other human rights abusers.

We urge you to become aware of the problem of conflict diamonds and the abuse that is connected with them. We also urge you to take strong action in support of the Kimberley Process and "clean diamond" legislation."

Our response:

We at the Diamond Registry, a family business since 1961, have worked closely with the U.S. Congress through Linda White of the International Trade Commission (ITC) to help enact legislation that is line with the Kimberley Process and is endorsed by the World Diamond Council. All of our rough suppliers are required to prove country of origin and proper documentation showing that the stones are non-conflict diamonds.

As a survivor of the European Holocaust, who saw all of his classmates murdered, I sympathize with all children who are victims and only wish there were compassionate youth like you when I was younger.

Right now, the Kimberley Process is close to finishing its work. There is a cease-fire in both Sierra Leone and Angola and hopefully this is a sign that people will finally beat their swords into plowshares. Hopefully, by the time you are ready to get your engagement rings, we will have peace on Earth and won’t have to worry about these matters.