De Beers calls for tougher controls to eliminate conflict diamonds

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De Beers calls for tougher controls to eliminate conflict diamonds

November 01, 2006

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Johannesburg, South Africa—Echoing the sentiments of Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) and the World Diamond Council (WDC), De Beers Group Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer called on governments to improve controls on diamond imports and exports.

Ahead of next week's meeting of the U.N.-mandated Kimberley Process (KP) in Botswana, Oppenheimer released a statement that highlights the importance of countries working with the industry and participating non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to eradicate any trace of the illegal trade in conflict diamonds.

"As the delegates gather in Gaborone, they must be determined to ensure that participant governments are proactive in the enforcement of import and export controls, that the reports of the 'peer review' missions to monitor such compliance are produced and acted upon swiftly, that governments conduct proper oversight of the industry's self-regulation measures, and that the statistics showing the flow of diamonds between participating countries are published for all to see," he stated.

While Oppenheimer said the KP has been highly successful and that the trade now governs more than 99 percent of the world's rough diamonds, the system is not perfect.

"It is necessary now to re-double efforts to address its remaining shortcomings and strengthen its provisions," he said. "The NGOs, who alerted the world to conflict diamonds, are correct to call for urgent action at this plenary. The proportion—whatever the quantity—of rough diamonds still traded illegally outside the Kimberley provisions must be stopped. Even one diamond that fuels conflict is one diamond too many. The Kimberley Process needs not only to be effective so that diamonds are kept out of the hands of evil people, but be seen to be effective so that consumers can be confident that the diamonds they buy, so often imbued with such emotional content, are free of the taint of conflict."

Oppenheimer also called on the international diamond industry to live up to its responsibility by having "zero tolerance" to ensure that not one diamond of suspect origin enters the legitimate supply chain. To that end, he said every diamond trader must:

* Establish absolutely the provenance of the diamonds they purchase.
* Refuse to buy diamonds without warranties required by the KP.
* Question and double-check the validity of guarantees they are given by vendors.
* Report any suspected breach of KP provisions to the authorities.

"Dealing in conflict diamonds is a criminal offense in every one of the participating countries, and the diamond industry must assist governments to identify, detain and prosecute any person involved in this odious trade," he said.

Oppenheimer also noted the role diamonds have in the economies of diamond-producing countries, with benefits such as education, health care and employment. He said 65 percent of diamonds are from Africa, supporting stable democracies such as Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, and providing over $8 billion in revenues annually.

With that in mind, he added that diamonds are a key component in eliminating poverty.

"Those countries emerging from civil strife depend to a very large extent on their ability to sell their precious mineral resources into the markets of the world to finance post-conflict reconstruction, the rehabilitation of their communities and for essential development. It is through maximizing its natural resources that a sustainable future for Africa and its people can be secured," he stated.

He noted the words of Festus Mogae, president of Botswana, who has said, "For our people, every diamond purchase represents food on the table, better living conditions, better health care, safe drinking water, more roads to connect our remote communities and much more."

Oppenheimer concluded by saying this crucial role underscores the importance of an effective and credible KP.

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