News / National
MDC-99 joins Zanu-PF's sanctions chorus
07 Apr 2013 at 21:57hrs | Views
MDC 99 has called on the European Union and the United States to unconditionally lift the illegal sanctions they imposed on diamond mining companies.
The party's secretary for International Relations, Mr Robert Matenga, said the embargoes were impacting negatively on local people.
"These sanctions are hurting our people," he said.
"We want them to be removed in totality . . . that includes removing them from diamond mining companies.
"These sanctions are not only hurting our economy, but our people as well, they must be lifted."
Mr Matenga applauded Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu for standing his ground in fighting the West who wanted to block the sale of the country's diamonds on the international arena.
He said other countries now appreciated that the Chiadzwa gems were of great quality.
This followed attempts by some European countries to influence the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme not to certify the gems.
Last year, the KPCS cleared the Chiadzwa diamonds to be sold without having to consult monitors Abby Chikane and Mark Van Bockstael.
Despite the KPCS clearance, the European Union and United States have maintained the illegal sanctions on the country's gems thereby impeding the full gain expected.
The party's secretary for International Relations, Mr Robert Matenga, said the embargoes were impacting negatively on local people.
"These sanctions are hurting our people," he said.
"We want them to be removed in totality . . . that includes removing them from diamond mining companies.
"These sanctions are not only hurting our economy, but our people as well, they must be lifted."
Mr Matenga applauded Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu for standing his ground in fighting the West who wanted to block the sale of the country's diamonds on the international arena.
He said other countries now appreciated that the Chiadzwa gems were of great quality.
This followed attempts by some European countries to influence the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme not to certify the gems.
Last year, the KPCS cleared the Chiadzwa diamonds to be sold without having to consult monitors Abby Chikane and Mark Van Bockstael.
Despite the KPCS clearance, the European Union and United States have maintained the illegal sanctions on the country's gems thereby impeding the full gain expected.
Source - TH
