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<title>KIMBERLEY PROCESS ON DIAMONDS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial"><strong>March 18, 2002 No. 41</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media representatives are advised that Canada will host the next meeting of the inter-governmental Kimberley
Process on diamonds and armed conflict in Ottawa, from March 18 to 20, 2002. A news conference will be held
on Wednesday, March 20, following the conclusion of the meeting.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Kimberley Process was initiated by South Africa in May 2000 to develop an international certification
scheme for rough diamonds to prevent conflict diamonds from entering legitimate markets. The meeting is
expected to bring together approximately 150 officials from over 35 diamond producing, exporting, importing
and processing countries, as well as representatives from the diamond industry and non-governmental
organizations. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Media opportunities are scheduled as follows:</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Official opening of plenary session</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday, March 19, 2002</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Time:</strong> 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Location:</strong> Main Hall, Room 183, Government Conference Centre</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">2 Rideau Street</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ottawa, Ontario</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Kimberley Process news conference</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Date: </strong> Wednesday, March 20, 2002</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Time: </strong>1:00 - 1:30 p.m.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Location: </strong>Sussex Lounge, Government Conference Centre</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">2 Rideau Street</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ottawa, Ontario</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Please visit <a href="www.kimberleyprocess.com">www.kimberleyprocess.com</a> for more information on the Kimberley Process.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For more information, please contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221042534/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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