Archive for July, 2010
Zimbabwe Diamond Exports Agreement A Convincing KP Victory
by Admin on July 23rd, 2010
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) said the agreement to allow some loose diamond exports from the controversial Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe is “a convincing victory for the Kimberley Process.”
The agreement was reached last Thursday, at the 7th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council in St. Petersburg.
“The agreement was the result of persistence and a readiness to continue talking and listening to one another, for as long as it takes,” said WFDB President Avi Paz in a release published Monday. Paz was closely involved in the negotiations, the release added.
“It also offers conclusive proof of the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process. For nine months the KP blocked Marange exports, until such time that the country could demonstrate that it was in compliance with KP demands. The Kimberley Process showed that it has real muscle and that it is able to achieve results. The Government of Zimbabwe should also be commended for its flexibility and readiness to find common ground with the KP.”
“Just as importantly, the agreement paved the way for the people of Zimbabwe to legitimately benefit from their country’s rich diamond resources. That ultimately is KP’s truest value. All the people who were involved in the agreement can be proud over what they have achieved,” Paz said.
Subpoenaed Naomi Campbell Wants to Postponed Diamond Testimony
by Admin on July 23rd, 2010
Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who allegedly received conflict diamonds from former Liberian president Charles Taylor, is continuing in her efforts to avoid testifying about the incident at Taylor’s war-crimes trial.
After refusing to answer questions about the diamonds at an interview, and later declining a request to provide testimony to the court, on July 1 she was subpoenaed to appear at Taylor’s trial in The Hague.
Campbell has asked to postpone her testimony from on July 29 to August 5.
The model, according to actress Mia Farrow, allegedly received a number of rough diamonds from Taylor while he was financing his reign of terror in neighboring Sierra Leone with diamonds.
In a short interview with ABC News in April, Campbell denied the allegations. When the interviewer continued to ask about the diamonds, Campbell stormed off the set, in the process punching the camera held by the producer.
Prosecutors want the court to hear Campbell’s testimony, as well as Farrow’s and a witness named Carole Taylor, court papers show. Prosecutors want to prove that Taylor “used rough diamonds for personal enrichment and arms purchases,” according to court papers.
Taylor is charged with crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law.
