World Federation of Diamond Bourses president Avi Paz
continued his string of provocative
press statements on June 27, when he declared in a news release that miners,
like BHP, that require membership in the Responsible Jewelry Council are
erecting an “unreasonable barrier to fair trade.”

When “smaller and medium-sized companies find themselves
under increasing economic pressure, this is one artificially constructed
obstacle that we should not have to contend with,” Paz said. “I would suggest
that the legal counsels of the major rough diamond producers examine this
matter urgently.”

Paz further argued that the WFDB Mark offers the same
assurances as RJC membership.

WFDB members “are subject to the stringent by-laws and regulations of their
respective bourses and, in extension, of the WFDB,” he said, questioning “why
bourse membership, and by extension the WFDB Mark, would not be a good enough
an indication that an individual or company adheres to ethical and responsible
rules of conduct?”

The RJC declined comment on Paz’s remarks.

JCK