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Article

2 Nov 2006

Author:
Charmian Gooch, Director, Global Witness, letter to Financial Times

Exaggerated progress on conflict diamonds

Contrary to the claim in your article "Gem trade hits back at Hollywood"...the Kimberley Process is a government-run scheme that aims to stop rough diamonds from funding conflict. It was not set up by the diamond industry, but was established by governments in response to a concerted civil society campaign. The system of warranties your article refers to is a voluntary chain of custody the diamond industry was forced to commit to in support of the Kimberley Process. But, despite the millions killed in diamond-fuelled wars, the industry has failed to implement it...Instead of delivering on its commitments, the industry, led by De Beers, has been spearheading an aggressive public relations campaign attacking the film Blood Diamond. It is vastly overstating the progress made to combat conflict diamonds.