From Africa Recovery, Vol.16 #1 (April 2002), page 32

CONFLICT DIAMONDS
'Breakthrough' in global regulation

At an 18-20 March meeting in Canada, representatives of the world's leading diamond exporting and importing states took a major step toward regulating the international trade in diamonds, specifically to stem the flow of gems from war zones in Africa. The Ottawa meeting -- involving governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from more than 37 countries -- is the latest in a series of negotiations begun in Kimberley, South Africa, in 2000. The "Kimberley process," as it is known, aims to set minimum standards for trade in uncut diamonds, some of which finance conflicts.

The Ottawa meeting was described as a "breakthrough" by the chair of the Kimberley process, Mr. Abbey Chikane. It requires countries to establish "effective national controls" to prevent the shipment of "conflict diamonds" by the end of 2002. These include use of certificates of origin and tamper-proof containers for shipment, exchange of information on trade in uncut diamonds and legislation to enforce the agreement. The scheme will support existing UN sanctions on conflict diamonds and seek to protect the legitimate diamond producers from consumer boycotts.

Although NGOs broadly endorsed the Ottawa agreement, Ms. Susan Isaac of Partnership Africa Canada, an NGO umbrella group, noted that "civil society groups are not satisfied with provisions for monitoring and enforcement." For instance, she said, a monitoring team can only be sent to a country if significant evidence of non-compliance is provided. Also, all member countries, including those being monitored, must consent to the mission. Critics of the Kimberley process say it subjects many activities to recommendations rather than mandatory controls.

"Stepping back from the tension and debates, NGOs can be very proud of what has been accomplished -- with obvious caveats," noted a joint statement by NGOs. "Two years ago, the kind of agreement that now exists would have seemed inconceivable."

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