Maravi

(HERALD) Diamond exports face new threat

Diamond exports face new threat
By Hebert Zharare

THE plot to criminalise Zimbabwe’s diamond sector thickened this week with a Canadian-based organisation, Partnership Africa Canada, imploring the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to redefine the term "blood diamonds" so that it covers gems mined in Chiadzwa.

The lobby comes ahead of a key intercessory meeting of the KP in Tel Aviv, Israel, next week where Zimbabwe will present its case and how it has been unfairly treated. The Government will also outline how the continued denial of KP certification is slowing down economic transformation.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu yesterday dismissed the PAC report, pointing out that Zimbabwe had complied with all KP requirements.

The KPCS regulates international trade in diamonds.

Minister Mpofu said: "We are a principled country. These people (PAC) have employed some locals to demonise their country. They are working against the people of Zimbabwe.

"We are going to deal with those peddling falsehoods to international organisations legally. These people are very lucky that they are in Zimbabwe.

"In some of these Western countries you cannot peddle State secrets to hostile organisations and get away with it," he said.

In its June report titled "Diamonds and Clubs: The Militarised Control of Diamonds and Power in Zimbabwe", PAC claims Government-sponsored smuggling of diamonds and human rights violations in Chiadzwa.

"Blood diamonds are diamonds involved in murder, mutilation, rape or forced servitude. PAC endorses this definition and calls on the KP to adopt it at the earliest possible opportunity," part of the report reads.

The Canadian organisation said the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds failed to encapsulate Zimbabwe.

"(The) definition is outdated and needs changing. It erroneously assumes all governments are legitimate and does not recognise that such governments in whole or part could engage in acts of terror or criminality as egregious as any rebel movement."

PAC said the KP had lost direction and credibility.

Irish Aid, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the International Research Centre among others funded the compilation of the 32-page report.

KP monitor for Zimbabwe Mr Abbey Chikane of South Africa recently adjudged the country to be in compliance with their minimum requirements.

Government in May banned the export of all diamonds until Chiadzwa diamonds got KP certification.

Apart from Mbada Holdings and Canadile Miners, who are exploiting the Chiadzwa resource, Murowa Diamonds and River Ranch are also into mining of the gemstones elsewhere in Zimbabwe.

Minister Mpofu yesterday said: "When Mr Chikane came here for the first time, he produced a report against us and we never complained.

"This time we have complied with the requirements and we are going by that. We will not listen to anyone."

PAC said Mr Chikane "sold out" Farai Maguwu — an NGO worker facing criminal charges in the courts for peddling confidential State information — by alerting police to what he was up to.

However, Minister Mpofu responded: "Let the law take its course. If we interfere and order his release, they are the same people who will also complain."

PAC, in its report, recommended that the KP suspend Zimbabwe immediately and that mining licences given to Mbada and Canadile be revoked.

"The United Nations Security Council should place an immediate embargo on Zimbabwean diamonds until such a time as there is legitimate and competent governance of the country’s diamond resources."

The attempt to use the UN Security Council to push Western agendas in Zimbabwe is not new and last year one such effort was thwarted by Russia, China, South Africa and other progressive members of the international community.

Labels: CHIADZWA, DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, OBERT MPOFU

posted by MrK @ 1:38 PM