The World Federation of
Diamond Bourses issued a statement May 26 urging members of the Kimberley
Process to resolve their internal disagreements on the issue of rough diamond
exports from Zimbabwe and allow the country to export rough diamonds from all diamond
mining areas in the country, including Marange.

“The KP, due to the
deadlock in its decision-making process…is about to cause irreparable damage
throughout the entire to supply pipeline of our industry and trade, and
threatens the livelihood of literally millions of people throughout the
international diamond and jewelry sector ” said WFDB President Avi Paz in
a statement.

Paz emphasized that the
current impasse is causing damage to the reputation of the diamond and jewelry
sector, but also for a significant part of the economic hardship that continues
to befall the people of Zimbabwe.

“While the diamond
industry and trade is in a position to contribute to the betterment of many
Zimbabwean citizens, the inaction of the KP, its members and its experts is now
the major stumbling block toward real progress,” the WFDB president said. “In
addition, if the KP remains indecisive on ZIM, there is a real danger that the
relevance of the KP itself will be at stake.”

Meanwhile, the WFDB
president stressed that along with its strong statement, it had instructed all
members of the WFDB to continue to follow the KP’s and the WFDB’s clear
directives not to trade in rough diamonds without the proper KP certification.

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