President Bush Signs Bill Banning Conflict
Diamonds - June.2003
U.S. President George W. Bush recently signed legislation passed by the
Congress that bans the import of illegal diamonds that finance civil wars in
Africa. The law brings the United States under the international scheme called
the Kimberley Process that prevents conflict diamonds from entering the
legitimate stream of commerce.
"Diamonds are critical to the economic growth and development of African
and other countries, so preserving their legitimate trade is an important
foreign policy objective," the President said in a statement.
The industry praised the President’s action. "The industry is proud to
have played an active role in the progress achieved so far," said a joint
statement issued by World Diamond Council chairman Eli Izhakoff and
executive director Matthew Runci. v | 
