Don’t Trade In Zimbabwe Goods, Says World Diamond Council

(IDEX Online News) - In a reaction to Kimberley Process (KP) Chairman Mathieu Yamba’s statement allowing the export of rough diamonds from Zimbabwe’s Marange fields, the World Diamond Council (WDC) issued a statement asking members of the international diamond community to refrain from trading in and exporting goods from the region until the situation and the status of these goods becomes clearer.

Yamba’s statement allowed the export of rough diamonds from Zimbabwe, subject to oversight by the KP Monitor, while deferring discussion on unresolved issues to the meeting of the Kimberley Process’ Working Group on Monitoring (WGM) in November.

While stating that it welcomed and applauded Yamba’s efforts to bring an end to the apparent impasse that currently exists regarding the status of production and stocks from Marange, the WDC statement also noted: “The WDC understands that a number of KP participant countries, including the United States, Canada, Israel and the European Union are seeking clarity on procedural issues surrounding this release and have indicated that exports should not be permitted until these issues have been explained and resolved."

Despite the polite words by the WDC, IDEX Online has learned a number of KP members, including the U.S., Canada and Australia, have emailed the Chair, strongly criticizing his letter. Currently there are behind the scene efforts to untangle the new situation.