WDC Reiterates Support for Conflict Diamond Definition Change

The World Diamond Council has reaffirmed its “strong support” for the Kimberley Process chair’s proposal to widen the definition of conflict diamonds.

Kimberley Process chair Gillian Milovanovic, who represents the United States in the certification scheme, has proposed expanding the definition to include gems that are directly related to armed conflict or other situations of violence. 

“We also hope to see progress in this respect, and call on all KP participants to engage in a constructive discussion so that the issue may be resolved,” said WDC president Eli Izhakoff in a statement. “We urge the governments of the other KP member countries to…institute the reforms that the Kimberley Process so urgently needs, including the establishment of a permanent administrative support mechanism, the implementation of a more rigorous peer review system, and improved information exchange with international law enforcement agencies.” 

The WDC board of directors also gave the green light to a proposal by WDC president Eli Izhakoff to establish a steering committee to examine the restructuring of the World Diamond Council in terms of membership, financing, and administration in order to upgrade the functioning and efficiency of the organization in its second decade of operation. WDC vice president Andrew Bone was appointed to head the steering committee.

  

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JCK News Director

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