News / International
KP Chairman insists Zim diamonds can be exported
02 Apr 2011 at 13:04hrs | Views
The Chairman of the Kimberley Process (KP), Mathieu Yamba, last month insisted that Zimbabwe can export diamonds from the controversial Marange diamond fields, despite international protest over the decision.
Yamba said that Zimbabwe could begin shipping diamonds from Marange "with immediate effect," making a reported unilateral decision. The decision has since been questioned by KP members, including Canada and the US, who called for a consensus agreement before Zim exports resume.
But Yamba told the Bloomberg news service this week that the KP will not reverse its decision, despite the objections raised by other members. Yamba said that a review will be conducted at future meetings of the KP.
Exports from Zimbabwe were barred in 2009 over human rights abuses at the Marange fields, abuses that are reported to be ongoing. The KP, tasked with ending the trade in 'blood diamonds', has come under pressure to ban Zimbabwe completely from trade. The group has instead taken a lenient approach to dealing with the country, allowing two monitored diamond exports to take place last year.
This was meant to pave the way for an agreement by all members, which would allow full exports to resume. But no agreement has been reached despite KP policy dictating that decisions must be consensual.
Meanwhile, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu has said that Yamba's decision proves Zimbabwe is adhering to the rules. "We are going ahead because we are compliant," Mpofu told Bloomberg.
He said complaints by Western countries are "political games," adding: "They are bent on frustrating our economic development. Zimbabwe has acted responsibly and will continue to act responsibly."
Yamba said that Zimbabwe could begin shipping diamonds from Marange "with immediate effect," making a reported unilateral decision. The decision has since been questioned by KP members, including Canada and the US, who called for a consensus agreement before Zim exports resume.
But Yamba told the Bloomberg news service this week that the KP will not reverse its decision, despite the objections raised by other members. Yamba said that a review will be conducted at future meetings of the KP.
This was meant to pave the way for an agreement by all members, which would allow full exports to resume. But no agreement has been reached despite KP policy dictating that decisions must be consensual.
Meanwhile, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu has said that Yamba's decision proves Zimbabwe is adhering to the rules. "We are going ahead because we are compliant," Mpofu told Bloomberg.
He said complaints by Western countries are "political games," adding: "They are bent on frustrating our economic development. Zimbabwe has acted responsibly and will continue to act responsibly."
Source - Byo24News
