Other Facets
The Diamonds and Human Security Project publishes Other Facets, a periodic newsletter about the international effort to end diamond-related conflict.
The following publications of the Diamonds and Human Security Project are available in hard copy format at C$7.00 or US$5.00 from Partnership Africa Canada.
Occasional Paper Series
10. Motherhood, Apple Pie and False Teeth: Corporate Social Responsibility in the Diamond Industry, Ian Smillie, June 2003, 16 pages
Argues that ending the phenomenon of conflict diamonds now and in the future still requires considerable work. Corporate social responsibility in the diamond industry is not about making donations to charity; it is about how and whether private sector firms can help to prevent corruption, state collapse and war.
9. West Africa: Rocks in a Hard Place. The Political Economy of Diamonds and Regional Destabilization, Lansana Gberie, May 2003, 16 pages
Exposes the continuing crises of armed violence in the West African sub-region by highlighting the role and influence of diamonds. Concludes with recommendations for the UN Security Council and the Kimberley Process.
8. Diamonds in the Central African Republic: Trading, Valuing and Laundering, Christian Dietrich, January 2003, 8 pages
Discusses the strong likelihood that conflict diamonds from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere are being laundered through the Central African Republic. Concludes with recommendations for the government of the CAR and for the Kimberley Process.
7. No Problems Here: Success, Complacency and Suspicion in the Indian Diamond Industry, Vinod Kurian, December 2002, 16 pages
Examines the Indian diamond industry, the world's major cutting and polishing centre. While the report finds no direct evidence of conflict diamonds in India, it concludes that the Indian diamond industry - like others - must ensure that effective international mechanisms are implemented to stop the trade in conflict diamonds.
6. War and Peace in Sierra Leone: Diamonds, Corruption and the Lebanese Connection, Lansana Gberie, November 2002, 28 pages
Provides an overview and analysis of the situation in Sierra Leone with respect to the diamond industry since the UN intervention in 2000 and examines the role of Sierra Leone's Lebanese community in the diamond industry.
5. The Kimberley Process: The Case for Proper Monitoring, Ian Smillie, September 2002, 24 pages
Assesses the effectiveness of the proposed Kimberley Process certification scheme for rough diamonds to halt the trade in conflict diamonds. The paper concludes that without regular independent monitoring of all national control systems, the Kimberley Process will create a false sense of security, ultimately placing the entire diamond industry at risk.
4. Hard Currency: The Criminalized Diamond Economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo and its Neighbours, Christian Dietrich, June 2002, 68 pages (summary version also available)
This report links the wars in Angola and the Congo, along with other conflicts in Central Africa, to the massive illicit trade in conflict diamonds. Concludes with recommendations for countries in Central Africa, the United Nations, the Kimberley Process and donor agencies.
3. Diamonds: Forever or for Good? The Economic Impact of Diamonds in Southern Africa, Ralph Hazleton, March 2002, 24 pages
Investigates the extent to which diamonds contribute to development in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, countries which have been the most vocal champions of "prosperity diamonds" or "diamonds for development". The report generated commentary from readers.
2. Fire in the Ice: Benefits, Protection and Regulation in the Canadian Diamond Industry, Ian Smillie, January 2002, 20 pages
A report on the emerging diamond industry in Canada, specifically in the Northwest Territories; describes elements of the Canadian diamond experience which might be of use in other countries, and examines Canada's readiness for an international diamond certification system. The report concludes with recommendations for governments in Canada.
1. Destablizing Guinea: Diamonds, Charles Taylor and the Potential for Wider Humanitarian Catastrophe, Lansana Gberie, October 2001, 16 pages
Traces the development of Guinea's diamond industry and discusses the devastating attacks by Sierra Leonean rebels in 2000 and 2001, arguing that the objective was part of a wider scheme to destabilize the region and to further Liberian President Charles Taylor's regional economic ambitions.
The Heart of the Matter - Sierra Leone, Diamonds and Human Security, Ian Smillie, Lansana Gberie, Ralph Hazleton, January 2000, 88 pages (summary version also available)
This study of the Sierra Leone diamond trade and its international connections demonstrated the centrality of diamonds to that country's brutal conflict. The RUF rebels exchanged diamonds for arms and drugs in brazenly open smuggling operations through Liberia and other countries in the region. The report describes the diamond industry and the chain of intermediaries between miner and jeweler, as it existed at the beginning of 2000. Much has changed since then, in part because of this report and the work of many concerned individuals, organizations and governments.
Note: The full-length version of this report is no longer available in print format.
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