Written question asked by Tony Worthington (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in inhibiting the use of diamond sales for funding the war in Angola.

Answer: Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in inhibiting the use of diamond sales for funding the war in Angola. [96084] Mr. Hain: UN Security Council resolution 1173 of 12 June 1998 imposed a ban on the direct or indirect import from Angola of all diamonds not controlled through the Angolan Government's Certificate of Origin of Origin regime. The aim was to cut off diamond revenues to UNITA, and so reduce their ability to fund continued fighting. The UK implements the resolution through the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998. UN Security Council resolution 1237 of 7 May 1999 established a panel of experts to investigate alleged violations of the sanctions against UNITA, in support of the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. Panel members are paying a series of visits to the region, and will report on how sanctions in relation to UNITA diamonds can be implemented and enforced more effectively. We welcomed the announcement by De Beers on 5 October that they will no longer purchase any Angolan diamonds, and will urge their clients to adopt a similar policy.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 337 c189-90W; 96084
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Armed conflict Import controls UN resolutions Sanctions Diamonds UNITA Angola