Belgium criticised for Zimbabwe blood diamonds stance

A world monitoring group on conflict diamonds says it wants restrictions on the sale of diamonds from Zimbabwe tightened in the face of calls to relax them by diamond companies based in Belgium. Global Witness said last week’s Valentine’s Day holiday coincided with calls by Belgium to ease controls on diamonds from the eastern Zimbabwe fields of Marange, long mired in allegations of killings, human rights violations and corruption. Belgium has argued the controls hurt revenue filtering down to ordinary Zimbabweans. But Global Witness insisted Wednesday that Belgium’s interests were ‘closer to home’ in its diamond centre of Antwerp that promotes diamond gifts at this time of the year. The group warned against what it called “a love triangle” between Belgium, its diamond dealers and Zimbabwe.

(AP)