Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE, REUTERS) Zim to withdraw troops from diamond fields

Zim to withdraw troops from diamond fields
by Nelson Banya
07/07/2009 00:00:00

ZIMBABWE is to make a phased troop withdrawal from poorly secured diamond fields in the eastern part of the country after a Kimberly Process review team -- mandated to monitor and regulate diamond trade globally -- called for "immediate demilitarisation" following a visit to the region.

The Kimberly Process team also wants the Zimbabwe government to put measures to stop smuggling in Marange fields.

Zimbabwe deployed troops to seal off the Marange diamond fields in 2008 to clamp down on illegal mining and smuggling after some 30,000 panners descended on the area. Human rights groups accuse the army of committing atrocities in the fields.

Last week Human Rights Watch released a damning report alleging that about 200 people had been killed during a military crackdown in the diamond fields.

Zimbabwe's deputy mines minister Murisi Zwizwai, whose department has denied charges of killings by soldiers, said the army would be gradually pulled out of the diamond fields, which cover 66,000 hectares.

"We agreed to remove soldiers but it will be done in phases while proper security settings would be put in place," Zwizwai said after meeting the Kimberly Process team.

The Zimbabwe government also asked for assistance in modernising the Chiadzwa diamond mining operations in Marange, currently being conducted by the under-funded state firm Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

Industry experts say official diamond sales account for less than 10 percent of Zimbabwe's mineral earnings, but have the potential to join gold and platinum among the country's main earners if the government clamps down on smuggling.

Zimbabwe's unity government, formed by rivals President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in February, is battling to raise $8,3 billion to rescue the country's economy after years of contraction and hyperinflation.

Western donors, whose financial support is seen as key to economic recovery, remain sceptical and have demanded broad reforms and an end to rights abuses before providing aid. - Reuters

Labels: BLOOD DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:03 PM