Industry says it wants to eliminate conflict diamonds

The World Diamond Council (WDC), which represents all segments of the diamond industry, reaffirmed on Wednesday its commitment to eliminating the destructive trade in conflict diamonds. “The industry is committed to stamping out conflict diamonds, and we will work with all interested parties to accomplish this goal,” WDC Executive Director Matthew Runci said. Runci added that the WDC was working to encourage prompt consideration by Congress of a draft bill, approved by industry representatives from 13 countries who met in London last month, that would create an enforceable solution to this problem. “The prospects of enacting effective legislation will improve greatly if the industry and other interested parties can unite in support of one sound bill,” Runci said. “We have been striving to find common ground and will continue to do so,” he added. In order to be effective legislation must create a “certificate of origin” regime that is consistent with the realities of the diamond production, processing and distribution systems, Runci said. He added that the interests of African countries which depended heavily on diamond exports but were not involved in illicit traffic, such as Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, should not be damaged. Strong international cooperation, in collaboration with the UN, was needed, Runci said.