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			December 13, 2001
			Ambassador Alan Larson
			Undersecretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs
			The State Department
			2201 C Street, NW
			Washington, DC 20520


				Dear Ambassador Larson:
				I am writing to you regarding the issue of conflict diamonds that have now been linked to violent groups like Al Queda 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 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 appealing to you to ensure that the strongest possible bill addressing the issue of conflict diamonds is passed in this session. Such a bill would include at a minimum: · 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,
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