WDC Calls for Continued Dialogue

The World Diamond Council (WDC) on Thursday called for all parties involved in the Kimberley Process "to continue productive dialogue and cooperation," as participants of the Process released their announcements after talks at the KP Intersessional this week failed to reach an agreement on the exports of diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange fields.

Speaking on behalf of the diamond industry, the WDC said "There was disappointment that consensus agreement could not be reached," adding that it calls on all KP stakeholders "to redouble their efforts to bring about a solution acceptable to all."

Eli Izhakoff, president of the WDC, said the organization "has long been calling for sensible and appropriate reforms and greater cooperation within and between governments."

Two of the NGOs involved with KP, Partnership Africa Canada and Global Witness, said the lack of consensus among KP members over the diamond exports "was welcomed by the KP civil society coalition today as the 'least bad' outcome."

Alan Martin from Partnership Africa Canada said he is troubled by the Zimbabwean authorities' "aggressive attitude towards human rights campaigners." One of the topics raised by the NGOs was the arrest of human rights activist Farai Maguwu.