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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Marange, Chiadzwa and other diamond fields and the Kimberley Process - Index of articles
Canada rejects statement on Zimbabwe diamonds
Government
of Canada
June 27, 2011
John Baird,
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, today announced that Canada
has rejected a statement by the Chair of the Kimberly Process.
The administrative
notice, issue late yesterday, incorrectly states that a compromise
was reached at the Kimberly Process Intersessional Meeting held
June 20-23, 2011 in Kinshasa regarding exports from Marange
diamond fields in Zimbabwe.
"Contrary
to the Chair's Notice, key concerns were not addressed and
Canada, and like-minded states, did no endorse the proposal submitted
by the Chair," said Minister Baird.
"The notice
was issued in contravention of rules and procedures of the Kimberly
Process. We are advising the Canadian diamond industry against trade
in Marange diamonds.
"In light
of the Zimbabwean military's brutal crackdown on miners in
December 2008, Canada continues to call for supervised exports from
Marange mines and a credible monitoring arrangement. Without these
systems in place, Canada refuses to go along with the plan to certify
Zimbabwe's diamonds.
"All diamond-producing
countries stand to lose if the Kimberly Process is rendered ineffective.
Canada will continue to work to address the fundamental weakness
of the Kimberly Process and find a credible solution that is satisfactory
to all stakeholders.
"Marange
diamonds should benefit the people of Zimbabwe. One important step
towards this goal is to ensure that the diamonds are properly and
credibly certified through a strong Kimberly Process."
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