'Blood diamonds' accord under fire

[emad]

From BBC News:

New measures aimed at curbing the trade in conflict diamonds have been criticised by non-governmental organisations(NGOs). Representatives of more than 60 countries and leaders of the diamond industry have agreed to introduce a system where individual countries volunteer for their diamond trading activities to be independently monitored But the NGO's say the system is not tight enough to stop trade in the so-called "blood diamonds". "No agreement is credible without a mandatory monitoring system and the Kimberley Process is no exception," said Bethan Brookes from Action Aid. "This is a loophole through which conflict diamonds can slip," she said.

The Kimberley Process was set up to curb the flood of diamonds out of countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia, the proceeds of which perpetuated the bloodshed there. Nevertheless the BBC's Hilary Andersson in Johannesburg says the agreement reached in the South African resort of Sun City is still a breakthrough in the fight against the trade in illegal diamonds.

According to the agreement those diamond producing countries can request independent monitoring visits. The Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both countries with huge trades in diamonds, have agreed to request such visits. The idea is that these visits might give countries with bad records a clean bill of health that will help promote the legal diamond industry. The agreement is a watered-down version of a proposal to introduce forced monitoring of countries under suspicion. A system put in place in February already requires that rough diamonds must have a certificate confirming their country of origin.

Blood diamonds have helped fund the activities of the Angolan Unita movement and of the RUF in Sierra Leone, a rebel group accused of horrific atrocities. Zimbabwe's government is also suspected of enriching top officials through the illegal diamond trade.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3230627.stm

[Skittles]

1. WHY DO PEOPLE BUY DIAMONDS????????????????????

WHY??????????????????????????????? Why are people rooked into wearing these nasty things???????????????????????????????

[emad]

2. "Girls' best friend" - Marilyn....

Plus they look kinda sparkly....

[Desertrose]

3. diamonds...?? Hmmm...well, they're the hardest of any gemstone...

therefore they have many uses.....the smaller non-gem quality are used for cutting blades,etc

Many reasons...a sign of great wealth to flash some sparklies....
they are practically indestructable.....they last longer & are easier to conceal than paper currency.... their value almost always appreciates.....

hey...its also my birthstone! :)

But its so sad- again - how some people put money, power & greed ahead of human decency.....

Peace
DR

[Fleshdancer]

4. ignorance

Most people just don't know. I remember several years ago when I found out about blood diamonds, it shocked the hell out of me. Now, every time I see them, all I can think about is slavery. There's no sparkle pretty enough to justify it.

If I really want a diamond, I'll do the research and make sure it comes from Canada.

[GinaMaria]

5. Estate pieces

My engagement and wedding band are turn of the century and were bought from an antique wholesaler in New York. He doesn't deal in 'new' diamonds. The prices are better, the workmanship outstanding, the style unique and the cut will most likely be something that just isn't done anymore. Best of all, the diamond industry doesn't make a cent off the sale.

[Skittles]

6. ALL DIAMONDS SUCK

IT'S JUST F***ING GLITTER.

[calimary]

7. The best stuff is ALWAYS the old stuff, GinaMaria.

I agree with you about that. Besides, it helps keep pawn shops open, and sometimes those are the only places where somebody down on their luck can get a little cash.

[bleedingheart]

8. Why do people buy anything they can't eat, wear or sit under?

Diamonds can at least be sold... why do people buy beanie babies..that's the question?

[DulceDecorum]

9. Diamonds are the upscale version of

the pet rock.