Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe has no blood diamonds: Biti

Zimbabwe has no blood diamonds: Biti
By: Ralph Mutema
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 4:29 am

FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti says the Kimberley Process should certify Zimbabwe's Chiadzwa diamonds as they are not blood diamonds and has admitted that the Government of Zimbabwe is yet to benefit from the sale of the precious gem. Mr Biti also added that Zimbabwe diamonds cannot be classified as "blood diamonds" as the KP is striving to do.

"The Government of Zimbabwe has not received a single cent from the KP. Our diamonds cannot be categorized as blood the case in Zimbabwe," said Mr Biti in Prime Minister Tsvangirai's Newsletter published this week.

Mr Biti also refused to endorse claims by the KP that there are human rights violations, forced labour and smuggling of diamonds from Chiadzwa district in Manicaland.

He said "alleged issues around forced labour, human rights abuses, smuggling and inconsistent records between what has been exported and what is alleged to have been mined" are undermining Zimbabwe's efforts at getting KP certification.

"All these issues must be resolved in the context of the KP process. The KP must allow us to sell our diamonds," added Mr Biti.

"It will be very unfortunate if the KP does not allow us to sell the diamonds because they will be punishing the people of Zimbabwe. We can’t pay for electricity, we can’t pay our civil servants and yet we are history of mankind.

"You cannot punish ordinary citizens because of the omissions and commissions of the elite political leadership."

Mr Biti said if KP fails to certify Zimbabwe's Chiadzwa diamonds, they will be sold without the certification.

"If you have issues with an elite political leadership allow diamonds to be sold but reign in on the political elite because they will still sell diamonds outside the KP at the expense of the poor."

Mr Biti said as Minister of Finance, he was at the receiving end of KP machinations.

"I have to pay civil servants and pay for electricity and other Government expenses."

Zimbabwe Met Revenue Target

Mr Biti also revealed that Zimbabwe had met its revenue collection target.

"We have met our target of US$120 million revenue collection per month but this economy for it to be normal must collect about US$300 million per month."

Labels: KIMBERLEY PROCESS, TENDAI BITI

posted by MrK @ 4:15 AM