6.1. Belgian diamond traders
In November 1999, the HRD started a public awareness action with a petition "No diamonds for Arms", addressing the Belgian diamond merchants, which postulates not to trade diamonds coming from Angolan rebels.
By signing the petition, the diamantair declares:
"We fully endorse and accept the sanctions nr. 1173 and 1176 (Sanctions against Angola) declared by the United Nations. We pledge not to trade in these diamonds. We pledge not to accept the blood-money that comes from it.
We support the efforts of Ambassador Fowler, chairman of the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations, and the practical work of the expert panel led by Ambassador Mollander. Both are intended to force the warring parties to resume a peaceful dialogue and to solve their differences through negotiation.
All of us, through our daily efforts, make the Antwerp World Diamond Centre the biggest and most important market. We accept the responsibilities that this first position holds. We plan to act upon it!"
The action ended in April 2000 after more then 1.000 diamantaires had signed the petition.
6.2. Belgian Diamond Bourses
The HRD petition was supported by a Resolution of 23 November 1999 signed by the President of the Federation of Belgian Diamond Bourses and its four member-diamond bourses (Beurs voor Diamanthandel CV, Antwerp Diamond Club CVBA, Vrije Diamanthandel NV, Antwerpsche Diamantkring CVBA).
In the Resolution, they express their concern about the conflict in Angola and urge their members to comply with the UN resolution.
Any member, knowingly selling or buying prohibited goods is expelled from the diamond bourse. His name and photograph are published in all diamond bourses world-wide.
6.3. Belgian diamond banks
The Belgian diamond banks (Antwerpse Diamantbank, ABN-AMRO, Artesia) have advised all their clients in a letter of July 2000 that diamantaires found to be trading in conflict diamonds will have all banking facilities withdrawn :
"(The bank) therefore stands firmly behind all United Nations resolutions and government and industry efforts to end this illicit diamond trade. It has adopted a policy of not being involved in the financing or any other form of assistance associated with the trade of illicit diamonds. As such, finance and any other forms of assistance will continue to de restricted to those diamonds only which have been cleared by the relevant authorities, in compliance with all regulations existing at a given point in time.
The difficulties to control and stop the trade in diamonds emanating from these conflict areas are complex and have been the focus of much discussion. While new resolutions and regulations may be forthcoming it requires the determination and commitment of each person and company involved in the diamond trade to put effectively an end to this illicit trade. This notice is given to insure that you, as a customer of (the bank) take notice of the bank policies towards the trade of illicit diamonds and you will further undertake not to enter into any transaction involving diamonds that you know or should be aware are illicit.
Please note that a breach of your obligations will entitle the bank to terminate your existing relationship."
6.4. Belgian rough diamond traders
In July 2000, the Belgian Association of Rough Diamond Traders (Vereniging voor Handelaars in Ruwe Diamant) unanimously decided to add the following new rules in their bylaws.
- Any Association member found to be trading in these conflict diamonds will be summarily expelled from the Association, reported to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and exposed to the appropriate authorities.
- From the earliest date possible, the members are urged to adhere to and print the following clause on all their sales invoices and consignment memoranda :
"We hereby declare that all appropriate measures have been taken to determine that none of the diamonds listed above, to the best of our knowledge and belief, have originated in any Country currently under sanctions by the United Nations as of the date these sanctions were first ratified."