21.   The diamonds were sold in Munich, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium, officials said.

22.   The industry also promised severe penalties for dealers who break the rules and buy or sell blood diamonds.

23.   The United States and Britain have charged that Liberia is still playing a key role in helping the rebels sell diamonds and buy arms.

24.   Those agreements are designed to formalize the relationship between De Beers and its customers, known as sightholders, for buying and selling rough diamonds.

25.   Until now, De Beers has sold rough diamonds to jewelers to be cut and polished.

26.   De Beers would start selling diamonds in Russia under the accord, and Russian cutters would get the right of first refusal for ARS gems, Interfax reported.

27.   Nothing concrete has so far emerged, observers say, but they believe Russia is henceforth likely to sell fewer diamonds to De Beers.

28.   Recently, this producer, now owned by the mining giant RTZ-CRA, said it did not intend to continue selling its diamonds through De Beers.

29.   Russia and Botswana have agreed to exchange information regularly to harmonise methods of selling diamonds in order to ensure equitable sharing of the market, a report said Monday.

30.   The London-based CSO sells diamonds from the mines of De Beers and from other main world producers, such as Australia, Russia and Namibia.