Conflict Diamonds Banned

President George Bush signed an executive order on July 30th that puts trade restrictions on uncut diamonds from countries with rebel groups that finance their activities by selling the stones. Since January, more than 50 nations have signed the pact, which is called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The plan is to require tracking of diamonds from mines to stores, verifying their origins and halting the sale of diamonds from areas in conflict.