[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  MOVING TOWARDS A CLEAN DIAMOND TRADE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank 
Representatives Hall, Wolf and Houghton for putting together this 
compromise bill with the Administration. It is important that we enact 
legislation to reform the conflict-driving diamond trade, and this is 
an important first step.
  Mr. Speaker, for years terrorist bands masquerading as political 
rebels have been using income from the illicit trade in diamonds to 
fund their attacks on civilian populations. The scars that they have 
left are deep. They are seen every where on the mangled limbs and faces 
of men, women and children on the streets of Monrovia and Freetown.
  As appalling as the profiteering of these groups, is the commercial 
support that they have received from brokers in the legitimate diamond 
trade in what we refer to as the developed world. While some of thee 
traders have dealt unknowingly in these blood diamonds, others have 
consciously taken advantage of their market position to ``launder'' 
these tainted goods. There is a clear need to establish a system which 
punishes those that are supporting terrorist bands that profit from 
diamond trading, and prevent dirty diamonds from entering the market 
which make legitimate dealers unwittingly complicit.
  The substitute for H.R. 2722 that we have before us is not perfect, 
but it is an important first step in creating such a system. Moreover, 
passing this bill will send a clear signal to those states, industries 
and NGOs participating in the Kimberly Process, that the United States 
is serious about Clean Diamonds. I am confident that this bill will 
help move the Kimberly agenda forward, and that concrete steps to 
implement a verification system will be agreed to by all participating 
parties. This, after all, is the key. A verification system will not 
work unless it has the support of all those concerned.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to continue to work 
towards making the diamond industry one that supports trade and 
economic development without compromising human rights.

                          ____________________