Zwick: I Don’t Have an Agenda on Africa

A heated exchange occurred between Eli Izhakoff, chairman of the World Diamond Council, and Ed Zwick, producer and director of the Blood Diamond, after Zwick challenged the diamond trade to right, what he called, the wrongs of the past 75 years of taking West Africa's bounty and giving little or nothing in return.

Speaking at the Rapaport International Diamond Conference, Zwick noted more than once that he, “May be the one person here without an agenda.” Izhakoff, taking exception to laying the blame wholly on diamantaires, called Zwick to task. Zwick, interrupting Izhakoff commented, “I'm trying to provoke you, to inspire you.” “You do, you do provoke me Mr. Zwick,” replied Izhakoff.

When asked about his motivation for appearing at a conference Zwick replied, “How can I pass up the opportunity to join in a discussion with people who are able to do the most good on an issue I care greatly about?”

The stated goal of the one-day conference, held Monday during the JCK Invitation show in New York, was to find practical measures to help the more than one million artisanal diggers of West Africa who are currently living in extreme poverty, due to failed economies where natural resources are not used for local development.

“Remarkable things can be accomplished when industry, NGO’s, and government set aside their differences and work together for the common good,” Martin Rapaport said. “The big idea is that the only way to change the situation in Africa is by creating real jobs, sustainable economic development and the only way to create jobs is by bringing in the private sector.”

During a discussion about Sierra Leone, Ernest Blom, president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, observed wryly, “Isn't it somewhat arrogant and presumptuous to debate and discuss the fate of a nation like Sierra Leone without anyone present here in attendance representing Sierra Leone?”

During a midday press conference, protestors planned to picket the conference over the diamond industry's alleged failure to help Africa, but the hordes of protestors failed to materialize. An unidentified organizer blamed the low numbers on the extreme cold weather saying, "We don't need a lot of people, a half-dozen is fine.” The protest went on as planned for the cameras, albeit in a somewhat diminished fashion.