KP Update Brings up Vice Chair Issue

(IDEX Online News) - Members of the Israeli diamond exchange had a Kimberley Process refresher today (Thursday) together with a group of diplomats. Among the issues that were discussed, listeners got a behind the curtains glimpse into the politics of the KP, hearing about the failure to elect a KP vice chair and bring Zimbabwe into the fold.

A large number of IDE members were joined today by a group of ambassadors and economic counsels at the IDE to hear an update about the KP. One of the speakers, World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff, said that the failure to elect a vice chair for the organization is "unprecedented and unacceptable." He was referring to the recent vote that blocked the sole candidate, the U.S., from the position. He went on saying that there are currently informal talks to try and resolve this issue.

Izhakoff also briefly discussed the current impasse with Zimbabwe, saying that KP Chair Mathieu Yamba is trying to trigger some negotiations with Zimbabwe after it rejected the latest version of the Jerusalem Agreement.

"Multilateral talks are taking place to resolve the issue," Izhakoff said.

Among the speakers talking about KP were IDE President Avi Paz, Israel Diamond Manufacturers President Moti Ganz and Cameron's ambassador to Israel. The speakers highlighted the importance of the Process and the role Israel plays in forming, shaping and leading it.