Clean Diamond Trade Act (H.R. 2722)
PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES AND AMBASSARDOR
IMMEDIATELY AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THE Clean Diamond Trade Act (H.R. 2722)
Legislative Update:
We are in the last days of Congress and in the final hours which will determine if we can pass a Clean Diamonds bill that will actually prevent conflict diamonds from being sold in the US. Legislation aimed at ending the trade in conflict diamonds is in danger of failing for a second year despite evidence proving that groups like Al Qaeda and the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone were financing their operations through the illicit trade (In case you missed it, see Washington Post Article from Friday, Nov 2, 2001.) The Clean Diamond Trade Act (H.R. 2722) is currently stalled in the Trade subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee. The bill is in danger of failing due to opposition from the Bush Administration. The subcommittee held a hearing on October 10, and a mark up for revisions and edits to the text will probably occur between now and Thanksgiving. I have included a sample letter below.
***By next Wed.,Nov 21, we need you, the heads of your organizations and your constituents to voice your concern over this issue, by making faxes to at least one or all of the following 4 offices, who currently need the most pressure: ***
1) Amb. Robert
Zoellick,
US Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
20508
Ph:
(202)-395-6890
Fx:
(202)-395-4549
2) Amb. Alan
Larson,
Undersecretary of State for Economic and Business
Affairs
The State Department
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
20520
Ph:
(202)-647-7575
Fx:
(202)-647-9763
3.) Rep. Bill Thomas
Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
2208 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, D.C.
20515
Ph: (202)-225-2915
Fx:
(202)-225-8798
4.) Andy Card
White House Chief of Staff
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C.
20500
Ph:
(202)-456-6798
Fx:
(202)-456-1907
Urgent Action:
It is essential that this bill contain the strongest possible
measures In order to ensure that conflict diamond are eliminated and are never
again used to fund groups like Al Qaeda and the RUF and that it be passed in
this session of Congress, as we may not get another chance. The people of Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia
and the victims of the September 11 attacks deserve no less. I you have
questions, or need more information, please feel free to call or e-mail
me. Thanks to all of you for your
efforts.
Best,
Rory Anderson
World Vision
Ph:
(202)-608-1863
e-mail:
randers@worldvision.org
SAMPLE LETTER:
Ambassador/Mr./The Honorable _______
United States House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Dear Amb/Rep./Mr.:
I am/My organization is am writing to you regarding
the issue of conflict diamonds that have now been linked to violent groups like
Al Qaeda and the Revolutionary United Front
As you know the Clean Diamonds Trade Act (HR 2722) is
currently before the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and means Committee.
The bill is supported by the US and international diamond industry, a coalition
of Over 150 human rights, humanitarian and faith groups, as well as a broad
bi-partisan group of members of Congress in both the House and the Senate.
I am/We are very concerned that this legislation will
not be passed before Congress adjourns this year, allowing Al Qaeda and the RUF
to get their hands on millions of dollars of diamonds and engage in more
atrocities.
I am/We are appealing to you to ensure that the
strongest possible bill addressing the issue of conflict diamonds is passed in
this session. Such a bill sould include implementing at a minimum:
· essential
elements of a global certification
system
· the use of
tamper-proof packaging
· mandatory
and auditable chain-of-warranties with tough criminal penalties for violations
of the law
·
standardized and public records
· robust
international auditing
I urge you to help end the trade in conflict diamonds
and look forward to hearing from you on this issue.
Sincerely,
[Your name/organization]