UN (MODEL) Opening Speech - Republic of Congo - Economic Committee - Diamond Trade

 We must remember that these stones comprise of a very small percentage of the legitimate diamond industry whose trade is crucial in many of the emerging economies. It is true that the current estimates are that conflict zones account for only 1% of the market but in a multi billion dollar industry this means that there are hundreds of millions of dollars available to purchase arms in these conflict zones. Delegates the world is falling apart. Stones are smuggled across the border of diamond producing countries such as countries such as Liberia which does not have diamond resources, but exports about 2000 billion dollars worth of diamonds annually, whereas countries such as Congo from where diamonds are smuggled lose out. Sierra Leone is an alarming example of the illegal trade in diamonds. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has relied on such trade to finance its military campaigns. The civil populations have been the victims of tragic waves of violence. Angola is another case. Over the past decade, the illegal trade in diamonds has made more than $3 billion for UNITA. This money has enabled it to continue its armed struggle. The third case is that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The pillage of that country’s economic riches, especially diamonds, is fuelling continued armed conflict. It has become increasingly apparent that lust for these riches is one of the motives for the presence of foreign troops in the Congo, in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country, just as it is today one of the main reasons for the RUF’s armed rebellion in Sierra Leone and, indeed, that of UNITA in Angola.

Civil war still rages the country for control of the diamond fields. Millions have died or become homeless. In January 2003, forty nations signed "The Kimberley Process" - an effort to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. But illegal diamonds are still finding their way to market. It is up to the consumer to insist that a diamond is conflict-free. The democratic Republic of Congo is at still not at peace! 200,000 child soldiers still work as rebels. It is time to now stop and think of solutions which will enhance peace. One area that has not yet been thoroughly addressed is the issue of diamonds mined from territory under foreign military occupation. This problem affects, for example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which sees much of its diamond revenue siphoned off by others. But let us not fool ourselves into thinking that acting in this regard in these select areas alone will solve the problem. This is not just an African problem, or an Asian problem, or a European problem: it is a global problem, and it requires a universal solution.