A coalition of industry based associations and representatives met Monday with top U.S. State Department officials in Washington to urge tough action by the Kimberley Process to implement the Joint Work Plan to bring Zimbabwe into full KP compliance.

The industry coalition consisted of representatives from the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers of America, Jewelers of America, the Diamond Dealers Club of New York, the World Diamond Council, the United States Kimberley Process Authority, the Responsible Jewelry Council and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

Martin Rapaport and retailer Brian Lieber also participated in the meeting by telephone. Included in the meeting were representatives from civil society including Global Witness, Human Rights Watch, World Vision, the Enough Project and others.

The industry also emphasized their interest in reforms of the KP including establishing a permanent secretariat and changing the decision making mechanisms within the KP to improve efficiencies. The industry also urged the US State Department to increase consideration of enforcement measures by the KP of established instances of non-compliance.

JCK