[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24567]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      THE CLEAN DIAMOND TRADE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor 
H.R. 2722 to give it my full support and urge my colleagues to join me 
in passing this important piece of legislation. This bill will improve 
the lives of countless persons in Africa and around the world.
  For too long, the diamond trade has been a source of funds for 
violent rogue leaders and their cronies to purchase the weapons they 
use to terrorize, dominate, and murder innocent civilians in some of 
the world's most desperate countries. The illegal diamond trade has 
also been a significant source of funds for the al Queda terrorist 
organization and Ossama bin Laden. Wars have been fought and entire 
populations have been eliminated in pursuit of this dirty money, but 
today the United States Congress will act to cut off the flow of these 
``Conflict Diamonds.''
  Today, we take the first step to prohibit the importation of conflict 
diamonds and their derivatives into the United States. This will have 
an immediate and major impact on the international diamond market. The 
United States is a major buyer of diamonds, and our importation policy 
will immediately begin to end the trade in conflict diamonds and force 
international diamond brokers to certify that their suppliers do not 
engage in illegal activities.
  I am pleased to see that the United States is taking such swift and 
determined action on this important issue. This is an important day for 
international human rights, and our actions here today will have a 
lasting impact on the lives of millions around the world. Please join 
me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2722.

                          ____________________