World Diamond Council Calls on KP to Strengthen Administration

by Admin on June 23rd, 2010

The following is the address delivered by Eli Izhakoff, the president of the World Diamond Council (WDC), to the participants of the 2010 Intersessional Meeting of the Kimberley Process (KP) that is being held in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 21, 2010.

Mr. chairman, delegates, distinguished guests:

It is my pleasure to be able to address you here in Israel at this important meeting of the Kimberley Process. At the outset, I would like to thank our Israeli hosts for organizing this event. In particular, I would like to congratulate the new KP chairman, Mr. Boaz Hirsch.

Yesterday, as a prelude to this Intersessional Meeting, a group of us — including representatives of government, industry and the NGO community — met to consider the manner in which the Kimberley Process should evolve, so that it continues to meet the challenges thrown up at it more than ten years after the conflict diamond crisis first raised its ugly head. The role that will be played in this regard by the KP chairman will be critical. Since he has assumed the KP post, I have been impressed not only by Boaz’s rapid mastery of what clearly is a complicated subject, but also at his open mind and his readiness to consider and implement change.

To bring about change, we require decisive but deliberate leadership, where the goal is to amend what is necessary, without undermining those qualities and elements that have brought us success in the past. Boaz, I am confident, is cognizant of this and I believe that under his chairmanship, the KP will be ready to meet the challenge.

Before I fully address the issue of change and evolution, let me first comment on what clearly has been the most pressing issue of the past year and that is the situation in Zimbabwe.

Our goal as human beings is to ensure that the citizens of Zimbabwe are able to go about their lives without their basic rights being violated. It is for this reason that the World Diamond Council (WDC) raised its voice to demonstrate against the recent detention by the Zimbabwe authorities of nongovernmental activists. This clearly was an uncalled for and patently unjust attempt by the country’s government to suppress criticism. Such actions need to be condemned clearly and without equivocation.

We call today for the immediate and unconditional release of Farai Maguwu.

The World Diamond Council issued its statement as an organization that is concerned both about what is happening in Zimbabwe and with the provision of basic human rights in diamond producing countries. The Kimberley Process will continue to pay dividends if we keep our eyes on the ball and in the case of Zimbabwe, that means monitoring carefully what is happening in Marange. We will not rest until this diamond-producing area is operating for the benefit of all the country’s citizens.

There are those who feel that the Kimberley Process is not fulfilling its mission or possibly that its mission is not properly defined. I will say this: I do not for one moment suggest that the KP is above criticism, nor that the KP cannot be improved. Indeed, I believe that there is much to be done and I will elaborate about that in just a moment. However, we should never overlook what has been achieved, nor should we underestimate how much skill was required to create this delicate coalition involving government, business and civil society, which, in the space of just a few years, managed to cut the percentage of conflict diamonds in the market to just a mere fraction of what it once was.

Yesterday, we discussed the evolution of the Kimberley Process and the choice of the word “evolution” was deliberate. Beings evolve in nature because of environmental changes and when they do, they maintain those elements that ensure their stability, while eliminating or changing other elements that were ineffective or detrimental to their survival.

The same must be true of the Kimberley Process.

I received this week a very comprehensive working paper that had been put together by my good friend Ian Smillie. On a personal note, I am so delighted that Ian has chosen to remain involved in this subject to which he has already made such a very significant contribution.

In his paper, Ian makes a number of proposals. Several involve issues that we at the World Diamond Council have been raising for the past couple of years at least.

These are our recommendations:

First, it is imperative that the administration of the KP be strengthened and this requires the establishment of a professional staff that will manage its day-to-day affairs. The current system, by which KP is managed on a part-time basis by, admittedly, a very talented and committed group of individuals, does not properly serve a mechanism on which so many people depend. Furthermore, because the KP chair is transferred annually from country to country, it is important that a professional administration be maintained. Like a government whose civil service keeps the wheels turning even when the elected leadership changes, so should the Kimberley Process operate.

Second, we should look at amending the current decision-making process, which, at present, requires absolute consensus for a resolution to pass. We understand that the consensus requirement has played a role in maintaining the KP coalition, but it also has created a situation in which a single participant has the power to block progress, without even having to declare the reason for doing so. The Kimberley Process should consider methods of amending its system of voting so that, on the one hand, it can act more decisively and, on the other hand, still maintain the greatest degree of harmony among participants. In the past, there have been suggestions about a super-majority, such as a two-thirds or 75 percent rule. This could provide a viable solution.

Third, the KP should reform its rules on the publication of internal reports, with the goal being full transparency of all its actions and conclusions. I would note that at the Kimberley Process panel discussion that took place at the JCK Show in Las Vegas at the beginning of this month, criticism was voiced about a decision to close the Intersessional Meeting to the press.

I do not suggest that we have anything to hide, but with a closed-door policy, we do give the impression that we are concealing something. I appreciate that there may be instances in which matters are best handled discreetly, but the general approach should be one of openness. I would point out that all meetings of the World Diamond Council, including the upcoming one in St. Petersburg, are open to the press. Not only do we not keep the media outside, but we invite them in to follow our proceedings.

Fourth, we urge our constituents — and here I refer to the diamond industry leadership and the members of the various diamond centers around the world — to vigorously enforce the chain of warranties, which is an integral part of the Kimberley Process. In this respect, we call for the involvement of key industry bodies, like the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, the International Diamond Manufacturers Association and CIBJO, as well as the governments in the various countries, to oversee this effort.

In summary, we call on all participants to support the Kimberley Process so that it continues to fulfill successfully its most precious mission. At the same time, we urge a careful review of the KP system, so that it is properly equipped to meet the challenges thrown up at it seven years after it was first implemented. We also emphasize that, whatever amendments are introduced to the KP system, they be evolutionary. Our environment has changed and so should the KP, but whatever is introduced should serve to strengthen the alliance between government, business and civil society that provided the Kimberley Process with its strength right from the very beginning.

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Martin Rapaport Begins Three-Day Protest Fast Outside Kimberley Process Meeting

by Admin on June 23rd, 2010

Martin Rapaport, Chairman of the Rapaport Group, has begun a three-day fast outside the Kimberley Process (KP) meetings. The water-only fast began at sundown on Sunday, June 20 and will continue until sundown on Wednesday, June 24, following the close of the KP meetings in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Rapaport is fasting to protest the issuing of Kimberley Process Certificates for blood diamonds and to draw attention to the fact that it is unethical for the diamond and jewelry trade to rely upon the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) or System of Warranties to ensure that diamonds are not involved in severe human rights violations, such as murder, mutilation, rape and forced servitude.

Martin Rapaport’s statement:

“The Kimberley Process (KP) is aiding and abetting severe human rights violations as it certifies, legalizes and legitimizes blood diamonds. Corrupt governments have turned the KP on its head. Instead of eliminating human rights violations, the KP is legitimizing them.

“The diamond trade and consumers cannot trust the Kimberley Process, its system of warranties or those that promote the Kimberley Process as an assurance of the legitimate source of diamonds. We must face the fact that the Kimberley Process is a politicized, government-controlled initiative that is incapable of eliminating human rights violations in the diamond sector. It’s time for the World Diamond Council (WDC) and responsible NGOs to withdraw from the KP.

“The solution is outside the KP. The diamond trade must take full responsibility for how and where it buys its diamonds. It must stop hiding behind the KP and recognize that it has moral and ethical obligations that transcend national and international laws. While governments cannot enforce international human rights standards due to sovereignty issues, diamond traders can use their purchasing power to enforce such standards. The key to understanding this issue is that, in the end, our diamonds are only as good as we are.”

Comments and messages for Martin Rapaport can be sent to Martin @ Rapaport.com.

For additional information about this issue, visit www.diamonds.net/zimbabwe.

About the Rapaport Group: The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing value-added services that support the development of free, fair and competitive global diamond markets. Established in 1978, the Rapaport Diamond Report is the primary source of diamond price and market information. Group activities include publishing, research and marketing services, Internet information and diamond-trading networks, global rough and polished diamond tenders, diamond certification, quality control, shipping and financial services.

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MindBodyGreen.com Features Dreams of Africa by Whiteflash

by Admin on June 23rd, 2010

Dreams of Africa Funds Relief for Children

Debra Wexler, Dalai Lama and Betty Williams

As an esteemed partner with World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI), WhiteFlash.com created a highly successful charitably focused collection known as Dreams of Africa. The partnership came about to meet the vision to build safe and nurturing environments for children who need a second chance in life and to give children affected by the illicit trade of rough diamonds the chance for a brighter tomorrow.

“While other companies offer commercially produced ‘green rings’ and conflict free jewelry, what makes us different is that 100% of our profits go to those who really need help. Our Dreams of Africa are not for partial peace. They are for total peace” said Debi Wexler, CEO of Whiteflash.com.Wexler along with WCCCI’s founder Betty Williams are jointly working towards building safe and nurturing environments for children “who need a second chance in life. If we start teaching peace at the beginning of these young children’s education, we will help these children to shine like brilliant diamonds for the world.”

The Dream of Africa Collection was developed to inspire youth on a global front by supporting efforts to provide educational opportunities and build stability for those children who have been victimized by the illicit trade of conflict-diamonds throughout the world. Amazingly, which has grabbed the attention of celebs and VIP’s, 100% of all profits from the new Collection goes to support the healthcare and educational development of child victims of conflict diamonds in effected countries. These funds help children who have suffered from blood diamond conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia and other African countries. “We need consumers to understand that there is a huge difference between blood diamonds and conflict-free diamonds,” said Wexler. “Not all diamonds are ill-gotten. When diamond mining is undertaken in the correct manner, without child labor or government conflict, the profits build infrastructure and serve as a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people. As a socially responsible design company in the diamond industry, we believe it is our duty to support children who have suffered under blood diamond conflicts and to create awareness in order to combat such illicit diamond trade.”

Whiteflash introduced Dreams of Africa to such luminaries as the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in September 2006, at the largest-ever gathering of Nobel Peace Prize winners on American soil, where we selected the WCCCI, established by Nobel Laureate Betty Williams. Whiteflash began this endeavor to support the WCCCI’s commitment to providing safe havens and educational opportunities for children. Whiteflash hopes that their Dreams of Africa collection and education on conflict free diamonds will help in the creation and support to provide a second chance for these children to be educated about peace.

Dreams of Africa

Whiteflash.com and WCCCI will work to establish the first learning center, headquartered in Italy, which will provide scholarships for children from Sierra Leone and other locations across Africa, and to instill values of peace and understanding during these children’s early education. Italy’s government donated land to build the learning center.

Whiteflash was the first online jewelry retailer to be awarded membership to The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP).To learn more about or buy conflict-free diamonds visit Whiteflash.com

About Us:
Whiteflash is the first company in the U.S. to specialize in the coveted Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur founded Whiteflash in 2000 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows. Whiteflash A Cut Above® (ACA) is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows loose diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. In addition, Whiteflash offers original handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom designed engagement rings and diamond jewelry.

Do you like conflict-free diamonds as much as we do? Here’s your chance to win this Dreams of Africa Diamond Pendant (worth $280!) from Whiteflash. All diamonds at Whiteflash are certified conflict-free. Here’s how you can enter

In 50 words or fewer, let us know why conflict-free is important to you!

Yep, that’s it!Just email us at giveawaypendant@mindbodygreen.com and let us know why buying conflict-free is important to you.

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Enter to Win this Dreams of Africa Conflict-Free Diamond Pendant (Worth $280!)

by Admin on June 18th, 2010

Dreams of Africa Pendant

Do you like conflict free diamonds as much as we do? Here’s your chance to win this Dreams of Africa Diamond Pendant (worth $280!) from Whiteflash. All diamonds at Whiteflash are certified conflict-free. Here’s how you can enter

In 50 words or fewer, let us know why conflict-free is important to you!

Yep, that’s it!

Just email us at giveawaypendant@mindbodygreen.com and let us know why buying conflict-free is important to you.

Our winner will be announced on June 30th.

Whiteflash.com introduces the Petite Dreams of Africa™ diamond pendant, part of a designer line of jewelry to raise awareness for and bring financial relief to children in Africa, particularly those affected by the illicit trade of rough diamonds. 100% of the profit from sales of this conflict-free diamond pendant will be donated to the World Centers of Compassion for Children International to provide children the chance for a brighter tomorrow. Set with Whiteflash A Cut Above® diamond melee, in several variations.

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Zimbabwe’s Diamond Mining Companies Government Cohorts, Claims PAC

by Admin on June 18th, 2010

Zimbabwe’s political and military leadership is closely tied to the companies mining the Marange fields and, through the continued use of violence, is accumulating personal wealth, according to a report by Global Witness.

The NGO further accuse the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for failing to effectively address the issues related to Zimbabwe.

“Over the past three years, the national army has visited appalling abuses on civilians in Marange’s diamond fields,” said Global Witness campaigner Elly Harrowell. “Nobody has been held to account for these crimes, and now it turns out that the joint venture companies nominally brought in to improve conditions are directly linked to the [ruling] Zanu PF and military elite. Thanks to the impunity and violence in Zimbabwe, blood diamonds are back on the international market,” he accused.

The Global Witness report describes the role played by Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu, accused of blocking oversight of the joint venture mining companies, Canadile Miners and Mbada Diamonds.

Mpofu allegedly appointed allies as board members. Mbada Diamonds is chaired, for example, by Robert Mhlanga, former Air Vice-Marshal and prosecution witness at Morgan Tsvangirai’s treason trial, the NGO said.

NGOs are raising the Zimbabwe issue just ten days before the KP is scheduled to meet in Israel to discuss, among other things, the possibility of allowing the export of diamonds from the Marange fields.

NGO Partnership Africa Canada also released a report, examining the political economy of the diamond industry in Zimbabwe.

“The investment deals have been done with scant regard for legal process against a background of violence and intimidation, and are dangerously lacking in transparency. This leaves the door wide open for state looting and corruption, and raises the very real possibility of internationally certified diamonds financing renewed political violence in Zimbabwe,” said Harrowell.

Instead of suspending Zimbabwe, members of the Process have settled on a weak compromise agreement, repeatedly breached by Zimbabwean authorities, Global Witness accused.

Global Witness is calling to suspend Zimbabwe from the KPCS until it can prove its diamonds are not bankrolling violence. This should include an immediate withdrawal of the army from the diamond fields. The NGO is further demanding to suspend the introduction of new investors into Marange until the legality of current joint ventures can be established, and effective oversight implemented.

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Kimberley Process Intersessional to Open in Tel Aviv on Monday

by Admin on June 18th, 2010

Israel will host the Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting on June 21-23 in Tel Aviv. A central issue on the agenda is the progress of the Joint Work Plan (JWP) on the export of diamonds from the Marange area in Zimbabwe, a heated topic that is attracting global attention.

Israel is charring the KP in 2010, and Boaz Hirsch is serving as the chairman of KP. Chairing countries host the Intersessional and Plenary Meetings. The 2010 Plenary will be held on November 1-4 in Jerusalem.

The JWP on Marange was agreed upon at the last Plenary Meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia. It was set up to ensure and supervise the implementation of the KP minimum standards in the Marange area of Zimbabwe. A report by the KP Monitor to the Marange area, Abbey Chikane, is scheduled to be delivered during the first day of the meetings.

Israel is promoting additional topics aimed at consolidating and fortifying the efficiency of the KP. One such topic is the formation of an administrative team that would aid in maintaining and transferring knowledge from year to year as chair are replaced.

Another issue is the revival of the cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on enforcement, according to the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI).

In a meeting between Hirsch and the secretary general of the WCO, a joint team was established to draft a multi-annual work plan for collaboration between the two international bodies. A report on the progress of the joint team is scheduled to be presented at the Intersessional Meeting.

In addition, a seminar on enforcement of border control will be held adjacent to the meeting. The seminar, an initiative of the U.S., Canada and Civil Society representatives, will be attended by customs representatives from various countries.

Traditionally, the Intersessional Meetings are a time for JWPs to report on their progress since the last meeting, and vote on topics that have usually been agreed upon in advance during preliminary, unofficial discussions.

Zimbabwe’s Marange fields is a loaded issue that has been the focus of numerous discussions and dominated the Intersessional Meeting last year. It is expected to dominate next week’s meeting as well.

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U.S. to Maintain Pressure on Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s Diamonds

by Admin on June 18th, 2010

In a statement that somewhat clarifies the U.S.’s position on diamond exports from Zimbabwe, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that President Robert Mugabe and a “ruling clique” is benefiting from loose diamonds while the people of Zimbabwe are suffering.

“It’s a very sobering situation,” Clinton said in an answer to a question at a State Department seminar on Sub-Sahara Africa. “We are also looking to link democratic and economic performance by encouraging that the government be held accountable and working with those who are attempting to do so. But it’s a very sobering situation.”

“It’s a very sad one indeed because the ruling party, the ruling clique within that party continues to benefit from aid, benefit from the diamond trade, benefit from corruption to a very significant degree,” she said, adding “People are suffering.”

A State Department official told IDEX Online that the U.S. would like to find away that would allow the export of diamonds.

The U.S., according to Clinton, is “trying to walk a line between supporting the people, keeping the pressure on the Mugabe leadership, working with South Africa to try to get that message across.”

“At the same time, the President just renewed sanctions against 220 individuals and entities associated with the Mugabe regime. So these are what we call targeted sanctions that go to whether they can travel, what kind of investments or bank accounts they can have that we can reach

“I’m not going to stand here and say we have some perfect formula, because it’s extremely difficult to try to do what we’re doing, and [make] a difference for the people of Zimbabwe, but we’re going to persist in doing so.”

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Chikane OKs Zimbabwe’ Exports According to Leaked Report

by Admin on June 14th, 2010

Zimbabwe has satisfied minimum requirements of the KPCS for the trade in rough diamonds,” concludes KP Monitor Abbey Chikane in his report about the country’s Marange fields. The report, leaked to a couple of newspapers, has angered a number of groups, including an NGO that is part of the Process.

Chikane’s report, yet to be officially published, was drafted following his visit to Zimbabwe to review the status of the Marange fields and the diamonds produced in the region. According to The New York Times, Zimbabwe had met the minimum required standards to trade in rough diamonds and that he was “ready to supervise export arrangements.”

Further, Chikane advocated that the army, which is accused of the human rights violations that were the pretext for his mission, continue guarding the diamond fields until the police could be trained for the task.

The report rose an irate response from Global Witness, which stated that the “State-sponsored violence and human rights abuses are still taking place,” contrary to “claims made in [the] leaked report.”

Global Witness doubted the credibility of the report, however it did not explain what about it was not credible.

The NGO continued to connect the report to Chikane’s meeting with activist Farai Maguwu. Maguwu presented to Chikane a report by the police about its activities in the Marange area, apparently in violation of KP.

Maguwu turned himself into police custody after his house and office were raided by the police and his brother arrested. Authorities claim he stole the document.

Stephane Chardon, Chairman of the Kimberley Process Working Group on Monitoring (WGM), confirmed that the Monitor’s report was submitted, but declined to comment on its content, “It is an internal report,” he said. “We will discuss its conclusions and will make a decision about the recommendations.” Chardon did not say if the conclusions will be adopted at the upcoming KP meeting in Israel later this month.

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Diamond Trading Company Cautions Sightholders Not to Buy Marange Goods

by Admin on June 14th, 2010

In a message to its clients on Wednesday, the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) warns its Sightholders that any purchase of goods from Zimbabwe’s Marange region “will be deemed in contravention of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme,” until they are approved by KP Working Group on Monitoring (WGM).

The DTC is alerting its Sightholders to exercise “heightened awareness and proper due diligence” in regards to rough diamonds mined at Marange fields.

Recently Zimbabwe exported rough diamonds from the Marange fields to Dubai with KP certificates. The country later claimed that it believed it was allowed to do so because the goods were from an old stockpile, and not included in the KP ban.

The details of this export appear in a leaked report by the KP Monitor, Abbey Chikane. In the report, Chikane states that the country apologized for the mistake, adding that any exports made before the final approval of the KP, even if accompanied by a KP certificate, are not permitted.

In a message titled “Zimbabwe Goods,” the DTC further warns its client of reputational challenges that “commercial relations with Zimbabwe’ may cause. The letter accompanied by a press release issued by the World Diamond Council (WDC).

Following is the letter to Sightholders:

“Dear Sightholder

Many of you will be aware of the complex and fluid situation in Zimbabwe.

In the last few days, unconfirmed reports have suggested that there will soon be an export of goods originating from Marange. As you know, the Kimberley Process (KP) has appointed Abbey Chikane, as Special Monitor to supervise and approve the export of goods from this region. Mr Chikane reports to the KP’s Working Group on Monitoring (WGM) and he is not permitted to allow Marange exports without the authority of the WGM.

We have been informed by the Chair of the WGM that no authorisation has yet been given to validate the export of goods from any source in Marange. Until this is forthcoming any purchase of goods from Marange will, therefore, be deemed in contravention of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

We strongly advise caution and discretion when purchasing goods throughout the region and ensure that any parcels you view do not contain goods of Marange origin.

Finally, extensive media coverage of events in and around Marange indicates that commercial relations with Zimbabwe present a challenge to the reputation of individual businesses and of diamonds in general. We, therefore, advocate heightened awareness and proper due diligence in this regard.

We will keep you informed of further developments.”

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Win Dreams of Africa Diamond Earrings from Whiteflash (Worth $275!)

by Admin on June 4th, 2010

Do you love living, better, healthier, and greener? Here’s your chance to win these Dreams of Africa Diamond Earrings (worth $275!) from Whiteflash. All diamonds at Whiteflash are certified conflict-free. Here’s how you can enter In 75 words or fewer, let us know what living better, healthier, greener means to you.

Yep, that’s it!Just email us at giveawayearrings@mindbodygreen.com and let us know what living better, healthier, greener means to you.

Our winner will be announced on June 15th. Whiteflash introduces the Dreams of Africa™ diamond earrings, part of a designer line of jewelry to raise awareness for and bring financial relief to children in Africa, particularly those affected by the illicit trade of rough diamonds. 100% of the profit from sales of these conflict-free diamond earrings will be donated to the World Centers of Compassion for Children International to provide children the chance for a brighter tomorrow. Set with Whiteflash A Cut Above® diamond melee.

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