African Diamond Council (ADC) States Position On Kimberley Process (KP)

Online, June 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Dr. Andre A. D. Jackson's statement:

"The Kimberley Process Diamond Certification Scheme (KPCS) has routinely facilitated corruption in Africa's diamond industry and at the existing system encourages brutal human rights violations by continuing to certify and disguise illicit diamonds. African Diamond Council (ADC) members can no longer rely on the Kimberley Process (KP) to uphold and elevated level of integrity in the industry's front, center and rear. A World Diamond Council (WDC)-guided Kimberley Process has been repeatedly utilized to manipulate and defraud potential diamond buyers who genuinely rely on this scheme to restore their consumer confidence."

"At present, the Kimberley Process does not support legitimate sourcing of African diamonds and the existing definition of a 'blood' or 'conflict' diamond must be modified to incorporate 'all diamonds mined in consequence of human suffering'. If steps are not immediately taken to re-identify the existing definition during this current KP meeting, the ADC will make a definite recommendation for each and every ADC/ADPA member to relinquish their attachment with KP by withdrawing their membership and support. Furthermore, the ADC would also embark on a full-scale offensive to eliminate KP altogether and initiate a more effective certification process."

"The Republic of Zimbabwe should not be the most pressing issue of the Kimberley Process, since Zimbabwe's suspension from KP will not have a lasting effect with regard to forestalling potential diamond buyers. It is the actual (Kimberley) Process itself that requires a well-organized solution and should be receiving meticulous scrutiny by international NGO's and pressure groups. The World Diamond Council must no longer conceal, deceive or misinform consumers regarding human rights abuses taking place in the African diamond industry. The ADC is applying intense pressure for the release of Farai Maguwu, the incarcerated director of the Center for Research and Development in Mutare (Zimbabwe) who has been an outspoken critic of the government's development of the Marange diamond field. Although Mr. Maguwu has been incarcerated for the last three weeks, I am convinced that Mr. Maguwu will be released subsequent to conclusion of the KP meetings. In the meantime, Zimbabwe will remain a member of the ADC and their diamonds will continue to be sold on the world market until KP (either) reforms internally or if the ADC must seek to install surrogate certification."

"International mining companies have inaccurately overlooked Zimbabwe's diamond potential and several global diamond organizations have been taken aback subsequent to recognizing the government's competence to stockpile more than five (5) million carats rough diamonds. Global diamond mining companies in Africa have reintroduce a rather seedy, but effective trend of pursuing, appointing and erecting passive Africans to administrative positions to do their dirty work for them. The ADC makes a great effort to eliminate those who work to inhibit or discourage sufficient progress at the front end of our industry. At this moment, there are not an adequate amount of consequences for global conglomerates and officials who promote this type of unpardonable conduct, but that is no indication that there won't ever be."

The ADC recently captured the world's attention by shedding more light on the blood diamond issue with the release of their new television commercial to be broadcasted worldwide through the end of 2010. To view the ADC's Public Service Announcement (PSA)/TV commercial, click link >: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/african_diamond_council_conflict_diamonds

Comments and messages for Dr. Andre A. D. Jackson can be sent to: chairman @ AfricanDiamondCouncil.com

About the African Diamond Council: The African Diamond Council (ADC) assembles African Heads of State contained by African diamond producing countries to shape communal diamond policy in Africa. The Luanda-based organization has served as Africa's official diamond governing body since January 2000. Its continental branch, the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) was established in 2006 to enforce ADC's legislation through mining ministers in each Member State.

For additional information about ADC, visit: http://www.africandiamondcouncil.org