Supermodel called to testify in Taylor trial

PROSECUTORS have asked judges to call supermodel Naomi Campbell as a witness in the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

Lawyers have filed a motion saying they want Campbell to testify at The Hague about uncut diamonds Taylor allegedly gave her in South Africa in 1997.

In a motion filed yesterday, they say Campbell told prosecutors through her lawyer that she was "concerned for her safety" and "did not want to involve herself in the case".

In January, prosecutors alleged Taylor gave the model the diamonds following a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela, accusing him of taking gems to South Africa to buy weapons.

"That is totally, totally incorrect," Taylor had replied.

Prosecutors allege that Taylor provided arms and ammunition to rebels during Sierra Leone's civil war in exchange for diamonds. He denies the allegations.

The prosecution also wants actress Mia Farrow to testify about the alleged gift. Farrow says that Campbell told her about the diamonds.

Taylor faces a number of charges including murder, rape, enslavement and conscripting child soldiers.

He is the first former African head of state to appear before an international tribunal and has pleaded innocent to all charges.

The Liberian war ended in 1996 with 200,000 dead.

Taylor became president after a campaign memorable for the macabre anthem: "You killed my ma, you killed my pa. I'll vote for you."