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04/01/2004:

"'Blood Diamonds' Still Sold by U.S. Retailers"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Major U.S. and international retailers that sell diamond jewelry are failing to follow through on promises to prevent the trade in so-called 'conflict diamonds' that have fueled civil war and violence in several African nations, according to a new report released at this week's annual meeting of the World Diamond Council (WDC) in Dubai.

The report by British-based Global Witness found that of 30 retailers in four major U.S. cities, salespeople in only four that were visited by the group's undercover investigators were well informed about their company's policy and system of warranties to ensure that they did not sell conflict diamonds.