Sierra Leone Diamonds

HL Deb 04 July 2000 vol 614 cc127-8WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have evidence that diamonds are being exported illegally from Sierra Leone via Liberia; and what means exist for identifying such diamonds when offered on world markets. [HL2991]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

There is considerable evidence of the illegal export of Sierra Leone diamonds via Liberia. At present there are no established means for identifying such diamonds when offered on world markets. The UK is pressing for a UN Security Council ban on the import of all Sierra Leone diamonds except those accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by the Government of Sierra Leone and for an exploratory hearing of the UN Sanctions Committee, which would involve other countries in the region, to assess the role of diamonds in the Sierra Leone conflict.