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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Saturday, 10 July, 2004, 15:14 GMT 16:14 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Congo excluded from diamond trade Congo could not explain where its diamonds came from The Republic of Congo has been removed from a list of countries recognised to be dealing legitimately in diamonds. The decision has been taken by the international body set up to curb the trade in so-called conflict diamonds, used to fund wars. The action was prompted by accusations that the west African state was smuggling gems on to the world market. Its suspension from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme means it cannot trade with other member states. Kimberley Process officials said Congo had been unable to explain the origin of the number of rough diamonds it exported. 'Evaded detection' Investigators concluded that it had been smuggling diamonds from other African countries and sending them through Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates to avoid detection. Certain member countries have been wanting to exclude us Louis-Marie Djama, Congo mines ministry Congo's neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has long accused Congo of smuggling diamonds from its territory. "Kimberley Process participants need to have complete confidence that conflict diamonds are not entering the legitimate trade," said Tim Martin, the organisation's chairman. "The removal of the Republic of Congo from the list of participants is necessary to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the KPCS." Mr Martin said Congo would be allowed to rejoin the process "when it is in a position to fully implement the requirements of the certification scheme". Congo has denied all the allegations. "We observe that certain member countries have been wanting to exclude us," Congo mines ministry official Louis-Marie Djama was quoted by Associated Press news agency as saying. Exclusion means Congo cannot trade diamonds with the process' 43 member states, which account for over 98% of the world's diamond trade. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectSudan and Chad agree Darfur movesFund projects 'missing targets'Botswana bushmen seek redressCongo excluded from diamond tradeEx-minister loses genocide appealNew body for Kenya footballAids drugs aim 'will not be met'Togo exile granted travel permitSierra Leone star diesItaly urged to let migrants landAnnan urges calm reform in KenyaClashes near DR Congo gold mineLibya 'threat' on terror suspect'Cocaine ship' seized in TogoNigerian police battle airmenZimbabwe's harvest 'insufficient'SA to host Africa's parliamentPolice shoot Kenyan protestersZimbabwe bishop slams leadersDo you have Aids fatigue?Tourists discover Mozambique beautyA mobile vision for AfricaDo you have a story to tell?Programmes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Conflict diamonds 'still on sale' 30 Mar 04  |  Africa 'Blood diamond' scheme begins 01 Jan 03  |  Africa Diamonds fuel CAR conflicts 31 Oct 02  |  Africa Blood diamonds 19 Oct 01  |  Correspondent RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Kimberley Process World Diamond Council Global Witness Congo government The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Sudan and Chad agree Darfur moves Fund projects 'missing targets' Botswana bushmen seek redress Congo excluded from diamond trade News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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