Written question asked by Tony Worthington (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 14 February 2000 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 with De Beers to restrict the sale of Angolan diamonds that may be funding the purchase of armaments.

Answer: Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with De Beers to restrict the sale of Angolan diamonds that may be funding the purchase of armaments. [109254] Mr. Hain: I and my officials are in regular touch with De Beers about the problems of the illicit diamond trade funding the UNITA movement in Angola. I welcomed De Beers statement on 5 October 1999 that they would not buy diamonds from Angola beyond those they were contracted to from the Angolan Government, and I have asked for both their views and those of other diamond traders on how an effective certification scheme could be implemented to stop the sale of diamonds in breach of UN sanctions. This statement should send a clear message to UNITA that the international community condemns their return to conflict.

Secondary information