BANK CALLS ON LOVERS TO SIGN DIAMOND PLEDGE

BANK CALLS ON LOVERS TO SIGN DIAMOND PLEDGE Couples dreaming of a white wedding should pause for a moment as the diamond they have purchased may have a dark history. In a bid to help stamp out illegal diamond trading, which has helped to finance many conflicts in Africa, The Co-operative Bank has today (24 September, 2003) team up with Amnesty International, ActionAid and Global Witness to call on lovers everywhere to sign a Diamond Pledge. The coalition is asking anyone buying an engagement ring or other diamond jewellery to probe the origins of the jewel before making the purchase, in order to help eliminate conflict diamonds. The global trade in diamonds is a multi-billion pound industry and it is estimated that up to £200m a year could have been used to fund conflict in Africa. In January this year, the diamond industry introduced a certification scheme known as the Kimberley Process to track the trade in rough diamonds. However, without regular, impartial monitoring, there are concerns that it remains open to abuse by rogue gem traders. The Co-operative Bank and its partners are launching the Diamond Pledge, which calls for regular, impartial monitoring of all participants to the Kimberley Process. Simon Williams, the Bank's Director of Corporate Affairs said: "In this country diamonds symbolise love, happiness or wealth, but in many African states they mean conflict, misery and poverty. We welcome the introduction of the Kimberley Process by the diamond trade but we are concerned that it will not achieve the objective of stamping out the illegal trade in rough diamonds without the introduction of regular, impartial monitoring. Salil Tripathi, from Amnesty International said: "We realise that buying a diamond is a very special occasion. "By simply asking about the origins of a diamond, consumers will demonstrate to jewellers the importance of the Kimberley Process and that in turn will help elevate the importance of the scheme throughout the jewellery trade." Anyone wishing to support the Diamond Pledge should visit The Co- operative Bank's website www.co-operativebank.co.uk/pledge or text their pledge by texting 07786 200500 and sending pledge followed by their name. Ends For further information contact: Date 24 September,2003 Dave Smith Co-operative Financial Services Press Office Tel: 0161 829 5397 Fax: 0161 837 5987 e-mail : dave.smith@co-operativebank.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/24/20030924BIT00190/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/24/20030924BIT00190/wkr0002.pdf