Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 12 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 July 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 19 July 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the exclusion of the Republic of Congo from the Kimberley process.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the exclusion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from the Kimberley process. [184225] Mr. Rammell: The expulsion of the Republic of Congo from the Kimberley Process followed a report by a visiting team drawn from others in the Process on the discrepancy between the Republic of Congo's substantial exports of rough diamonds and its limited production. The report concluded that the Republic of Congo failed to meet agreed minimum common standards and was therefore undermining the credibility of the Kimberley Process. We support the decision to expel and stand ready to consider any request from the Republic of Congo for technical assistance to help it meet the standard required and thereby eventually re- join the Process.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 184225; 424 c60W;424 c61W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Armed conflict Certification Trade Democratic Republic of the Congo Diamonds
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk