WA: WA diamonds certified to stop terrorist activities

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WA: WA diamonds certified to stop terrorist activities

By Liza Kappelle

PERTH, Feb 18 AAP - West Australian rough diamonds are being certified as part of aworldwide bid to stop the illegal trade in so-called conflict diamonds which are usedto fund war and weaponry in Africa.

Uncut diamonds which are illegally mined in rebel-held areas of Angola, the Congo andSierra Leone have been dubbed blood or conflict gems because they are sold illicitly tofund insurgent activity in these war-torn areas.

In a bid to halt the illegal trade, the United Nations called in 2000 for the introductionof an international certification scheme to confirm the country of origin of any exporteddiamonds.

About 50 nations, including Australia, Angola and Sierra Leone have agreed to complyand begin certifying their legally-mined rough diamonds, the WA Department of Industryand Resources' David Norris said.

"Australia like many other countries recognises it's an issue that we have to attendto," Mr Norris said.

"Diamonds are just so small, and valuable, and easily concealed that rough diamondtrade can occur fairly easily in places like central Africa.

"Other countries need to be careful about what's entering and leaving their shores."

There will be a ban on trading rough diamonds that are not certified.

Since January 1 this year, all uncut diamond exports from Australia have had to meetthe scheme's requirements.

The illegal trade of blood diamonds is estimated to make up four per cent of the globalrough diamond trade.

WA diamonds account for 20 per cent of the world's total mine production, and 99.6per cent of Australia's output of the gems.

Diamond sales in WA are worth about $450 million a year.

AAP lk/ldj/ts

KEYWORD: DIAMONDS