Naomi in Diamond war Trial

SUPERMODEL NAOMI CAMPBELL could
be called to testify at a war crimes
trial over claims an African president
gave her an uncut "blood diamond".
Liberian leader Charles Taylor is said to
have made the gift following a
reception shortly after taking office.
Taylor - accused of arming rebels in
neighbouring Sierra Leone in return for
uncut gems - is now on trial in Holland.
He denies
ever
possessing the
diamonds. But
prosecutor
Brenda Hollis
says British
beauty
Naomi's
testimony
would provide
"direct
evidence" he
was lying. Ms
Hollis also
wants actress Mia Farrow to testify.
In a written statement to the UN-
backed court, WOODY ALLEN's former
wife said she was at the reception
with Naomi, hosted by NELSON
MANDELA in South Africa in September
1997.
She said the next morning Naomi told
her that two or three men had woken
her by knocking on her door and
"presented her with a large diamond
which they said was from Charles
Taylor".
Another witness said she heard Taylor
declare that he was going to give
Naomi diamonds and saw them
delivered.
"Blood diamonds" are those mined in
rebel-held regions of Africa and sold to
fund warfare.
A court spokesman said Naomi denies
being given any. The model - 40
tomorrow - has apparently told
prosecutors through her lawyer that
she was "concerned for her safety" and
"did not want to involve herself in the
case".
Her London publicist declined to
comment.
The hearing is being held in
Leidschendam, Holland, after being
moved from The Hague last week.
Taylor, 62, is charged with 11 counts of
murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery
and the use of child soldiers and
terrorism.
Around 120,000 people died in Sierra
Leone's decade-long civil war, with
rebels cutting off the hands or arms of
thousands more.