Letter written by Ambassador José Mauricio Bustani, published in the Financial Times on 20 March 2006.

Sir, With reference to your article, "Call to overhaul Brazil diamond certifications" (March 13), concerning allegedly fraudulent diamond certifications issued in Brazil: I would like to state that the ministry of mines and energy of Brazil is carrying out new inspections in all the mining areas for which Kimberley Process Certificates have been granted, including those mentioned in the recent report by Partnership Africa Canada (PAC).

Brazil rejects PAC's allegation that its certification system exists merely to give the impression of adherence to the Kimberley Process, for the manner in which it is implemented allows the government to act against possible frauds. Furthermore, the Brazilian government goes beyond the requirements of the Kimberley Process by granting certificates only when there is documented proof that the diamonds in question have been extracted from authorised sites. This system makes exporters legally and criminally responsible for misleading information they may give.

It must also be emphasised that no representative of the Kimberley Process has mentioned the possibility of Brazil being suspended from its certification scheme. It is our understanding that the improvements being instituted in Brazil's certification process will ensure that we remain one of the 40 countries authorised to sell rough diamonds on the international market.