Inbrief

‘Blood’ diamonds are the target of a draft regulation from the European Commission requiring uncut stones imported into the EU to have a certificate stating the country of origin. The measure supports EU policy on conflict prevention by making it harder for rebels in African countries to sell uncut stones worth an estimated £4.4billion ($6.8bn). The regulation will take effect in 2003, if backed by member states. More than 85 per cent of world trade in uncut diamonds is in London and Antwerp.