NGO: 9/11 Commission Wrong on al Qaeda-Diamond Connection

Global Witness claims the US commission which is investigating the events leading to the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001 is wrong when stating in its interim report that al Qaeda did not fund itself through diamond trafficking, adding the report “will damage international efforts to ensure that rough diamonds are not used to fund terrorism”.

The commission is investigating US intelligence ahead of the attacks, government preparedness for such an attack and the immediate response to them. The commission, officially called The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, is also mandated to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks.

According to Global Witness, its own year-long investigation into al Qaeda's involvement in the diamond trade and how “al Qaeda cells had strategically used diamonds for profit and to launder targeted funds,” shows that members of al Qaeda were involved in the diamond trade in Africa.

The NGO says it’s preparing a detailed submission to the 9/11 Commission on the involvement of al Qaeda operatives in the diamond trade. 

“Until all sectors of the diamond industry, particularly the medium to small rough diamond traders based in west and central Africa with buying partners in Europe, take this issue more seriously, the continued possibility exists that terrorist groups will use the highly profitable and lucrative rough diamond trade to launder money and raise funds," said Yearsley.