HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 c338W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on links between Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and the conflict diamonds trade in Sub-Saharan Africa. [15406]

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of al-Qaeda in the illicit trade in diamonds in Sierra Leone. [16232]

Peter Hain

Two stories have recently appeared in the media alleging links between Osama Bin Laden and the trade in illicit diamonds. There is little doubt that terrorist organisations, like other criminal groups, have over the years, traded in illicit diamonds to generate funds for their activities. The Kimberley Process was designed to devise a way to break the link between the illicit diamond trade and armed conflict. Urgent completion of its work on an international certification scheme for rough diamonds would also help curb other illegal sales, including those which fund terrorists.