The About-Face

It was as normal an event as it was tiresome. Don't get me wrong – I have great respect for the panel members, many of whom I've known for years and speak with on a nearly regular basis. Of all the statements made during the presentation, one small apology was the real surprise – and the important statement of the event.

On stage at the JCK/Las Vegas World Diamond Council panel discussion, the speakers repeated their long held and familiar stands. Brad Brooks-Rubin, the U.S. State Department official representing the U.S. in the Kimberley Process (KP), made the surprising comments. 

Brooks-Rubin apologized for "some mistakes" that were made by the United States. Nadim Kara of Partnership Africa Canada (PAC), an NGO, also admitted "mistakes were made by all sides."

In the past couple of years, the U.S. has led the stand against Zimbabwe – outside KP and within. For years, it has made no secret that it is interested in ending Robert Mugabe's governance. In the view of many, and although the State Department rejects this notion, it appeared the U.S. brought these wider political issues into the KP.

Not that other countries didn't bring their own agenda to the table, but in this case – if it is the case - it was harmful to the point that it made it impossible to reach a resolution on Zimbabwe.  Certainly Zimbabwe owns its fair share of the blame in reaching an impasse. So, with having two deadlocked parties, without either one trying to reach a real solution, you are well and truly stuck.

Talking later with members of the panel, they expressed deep concern about where KP is today. Their criticism was stark, their outlook bleak and, at best, their hope was limited. Their general view is that some of those actively involved in the talks were somewhat "misguided," and that most people don't care anymore. Some went as far as saying that Zimbabwe took us for a ride.

Some pointed to colossal mistakes by the U.S. and former chair Israel, which set and developed plans without wider consultation, thus failing to form a working coalition. Without getting into the technicalities, the failure was in mixing the wrong ingredients together, and cooking in different kitchens.

Just to underscore this issue, as you are reading this, rough diamonds are slowly and consistently being smuggled out of Zimbabwe. So with all our KP/Zimbabwe weariness, consider the following:

 The about-face that the U.S. made is good news for all, and shows that it has the ability to rise above it all, and make a large correction without losing face. Many are talking about the need for reform in the KP. The first reform is in how we think about it and approach it. Brooks-Rubin is reiterating that, although there are other issues to be addressed, the U.S. does not view Marange's goods as “conflict diamonds” – as defined by the KP.

After the U.S. takes this large step forward, Zimbabwe has a chance to show that it, too, is sensible, and move forward as well in working out a solution – a broad-based, widely agreed upon and practical agreement.

Later this month the members of the KP will meet in Kinshasa – and have an ideal opportunity to finally seal a deal on this long, drawn-out standoff. Let's hope this indeed happens, and nobody finds an excuse to fail to reach an agreement.

Have a peaceful weekend.