Crime hits movement of diamonds

Belgium is the global centre for diamond trading

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Belgium's multi-billion dollar diamond industry is being hampered by restrictions at Brussels international airport imposed following recent robberies.

As a result of the theft of diamonds from a Sabina airways aircraft earlier this month, the airport imposed a 24-hour ban on the transport of diamonds.

But a spokesman for the Diamond High Council (DHC), the industry's trade group, said on Thursday that the ban had now run to 10 days.

With no solution in sight, he said the industry might have to consider switching its business to another airport, possibly Amsterdam.

On average some $65 million of diamonds pass through Brussels airport daily on their way to and from dealers in Antwerp.

Six months ago thieves made off with five crates of diamonds from a Lufthansa plane parked on the tarmac at Brussels.

In each case valuables were taken from the aircraft worth thousands of dollars.

Although no-one was hurt on either occasion, the airlines are worried about possible future casualties, said a Sabina spokesman.

The DHC spokesman said: "We need to have a solution by next Tuesday and if we don't have the prospect of a solution (at Brussels) then we have to begin investigating other alternatives, which could consist of other domestic and foreign airports."

The airlines will only be able to resume transport if the Brussels government provides satisfactory new security arrangements.

The results of investigations into improving security to and from the aircraft, which began after the first incident, are expected on Friday.

If the proposals are satisfactory, flights carrying the gems will be resumned on Tuesday. If not, the DHC says that Brussels airport may by-passed altogether by dealers.

Global diamond sales hit a record last year of $25.8 billion, nearly nine percent higher than 1999, with many of them originating in Antwerp, the world's largest diamond trading centre.

Antwerp handles 80 percent of world trade in rough diamonds and controls 50 percent of trade in the cut gem.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Diamond High Council
Brussels Airport Official Website

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