Governor Thorold Masefield has thrown his weight behind the local Amnesty International (AI) chapter's petition drive against the war in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Masefield promised local AI representative and Sierra Leonian Ayo Johnson and his concerned country woman Ngadi Kamara that he would send the first batch of more than 1,500 signatures to the Diamond High Council in Belgium in a Diplomatic Pouch.

The petition calls for people to stop buying diamonds from rebel held areas of the war torn West African country.

The war has been particularly brutal in that children are often front line fighters and civilians have been targetted with amputations -- often perpetrated by children themselves.

Residents still have until Saturday afternoon to get the petitions, which were provided in last week's Pulse TV Guide in the Bermuda Sun, into special drop boxes at all MarketPlace stores.

They can also sign the Web versions of the petition at www.amnestyusa.org/bermuda and www.geocities.com/diamondaction.

"Individuals can make a difference,'' Mr. Masefield said.

"People can influence governments and, through governments, events. All wars are horrible and we should do everything we can to advance peace.

"Amnesty International is quite right in saying diamond trade is funding the war,'' he added.

"I wish you luck in all that you have done and in your urging people to do something for Sierra Leone. It can make a difference.'' Support: Governor Thorold Masefield, holding a statuette of an amputee created by Kenyan orphans, with Amnesty International's Ayo Johnson and Ngadi Kamara from Sierra Leone.

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