Let's wish Kimberley luck!

[Regular Guy]

They're having at it again...

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1464102&SM=1

...in Jerusalem

Reports I've read are that the US and others may propose, to mixed reaction, a two tier system, with a new tier called something like "Kimberley Plus," recognizing what would be considered the good behavior of not committing rights abuses (i.e. murder, rape), and leaving in place the remaining "non-plus" category, where committing not to trade money for guns still holds the line, and gets the certificate. Whether or not, in doing so, they're renaming but bootstrapping upon what could be considered the "intellectual property" of Rappaport's current guidelines seems to be not the point.

I don't think there's any accounting now for Zimbabwe as a small problem, giving the new understanding of their coming diamond output.

Per the topic title...let's wish those guys wisdom and good wishes as they work all of these details out.

Ira Z.

 

[yssie]

Huh.


The problem with the practice of multi-tiered systems as you describe is that most often all but the highest/most stringent requisite are robbed of credibility.. though I'm pessimistic enough to believe that that may be considered a positive side-effect, intent notwithstanding.

In any case - in the spirit, good luck!


This (old) article makes for interesting background reading: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/cchrp/Web%20Working%20Papers/WPF-Tamm%20Diamond%20Report.pdf

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

They're having at it again...

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1464102&SM=1

...in Jerusalem

Reports I've read are that the US and others may propose, to mixed reaction, a two tier system, with a new tier called something like "Kimberley Plus," recognizing what would be considered the good behavior of not committing rights abuses (i.e. murder, rape), and leaving in place the remaining "non-plus" category, where committing not to trade money for guns still holds the line, and gets the certificate. Whether or not, in doing so, they're renaming but bootstrapping upon what could be considered the "intellectual property" of Rappaport's current guidelines seems to be not the point.

I don't think there's any accounting now for Zimbabwe as a small problem, giving the new understanding of their coming diamond output.

Per the topic title...let's wish those guys wisdom and good wishes as they work all of these details out.

Ira Z.

Will Idealists accept a two tier system?
I would think they will not accept anything other than the highest standards.

Maybe the trade will accept for commercial reasons less stringent standards but well that really defeats the purpose of KP, it is to change behaviour not to accept and recognize varying degrees of "grey" behaviour.

Good-luck indeed.

 

[Regular Guy]

Will Idealists accept a two tier system?
I would think they will not accept anything other than the highest standards.

Maybe the trade will accept for commercial reasons less stringent standards but well that really defeats the purpose of KP, it is to change behaviour not to accept and recognize varying degrees of "grey" behaviour.

Good-luck indeed.

CCL,

It may be helpful to either and both review the recent thread Garry has revived on this, here:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jck-interview-with-doroth%C3%A9e-gizenga-executive-director-ddi.149023/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jck-interview-with-doroth%C3%A9e-gizenga-executive-director-ddi.149023/[/URL]

...and searching on something like Kimberley and human rights. I think it is a majority opinion that with the exiting one tier system, Kimberley does not provide for human rights considerations really to speak of. So, you have 3 options I think peope are speaking about. One, the status quo, which provides no protection. Two, provided in the linked thread, which purports to modify the existing Kimberly rules to include human rights protections. Three is what may be proposed, including a two tiered system, and where the option with the "new tier," "Kimberley plus," may afford these protections.

Rappaport may best raise the question about what we really have in the US now. Maybe somebody else can help me understand this. I think he suggests that under current US Law, since that is more restrictive about entrents into this country than Kimberley, you may be protected...and this is at least true by way of his own enforcement schemes. On the other hand, with current diamonds approved by the Kimberley Process having been purchased by India for cutting, with the US being a partner and signatore to the Kimberly Process, and with these India cut diamonds originating from Zimbabwe accessible to the US probably that way, from India to the US, it's not entirely clear how any US customers are really being looked after from any of these concerns without new as yet non-existent rules being attached to Kimberly or Kimberley Plus.

Ira Z.

 

[Regular Guy]

Bump.

Today is day 3 of their 4 day meeting...

Ira Z.

 

[Regular Guy]

Ok, it's 6:22 pm right now in Israel, so I read, and if they close up discussion at 5 pm, they're done.

I read that the US was on the ropes, and unless it's not actually over (meaning they will have gone into extra innings), today will have been a very tough day.

Does anyone here have a local contact, or intelligence, and can give us an update?

Ira Z.

 

[diagem]

Ok, it's 6:22 pm right now in Israel, so I read, and if they close up discussion at 5 pm, they're done.

I read that the US was on the ropes, and unless it's not actually over (meaning they will have gone into extra innings), today will have been a very tough day.

Does anyone here have a local contact, or intelligence, and can give us an update?

Ira Z.

Looks like a deadlock..., maybe even more like a blowup!!
Zim claims they are being pushed to the corner.

Perhaps an extension?? In negotiating time?

 

[Regular Guy]

Ok, it's 6:22 pm right now in Israel, so I read, and if they close up discussion at 5 pm, they're done.

I read that the US was on the ropes, and unless it's not actually over (meaning they will have gone into extra innings), today will have been a very tough day.

Does anyone here have a local contact, or intelligence, and can give us an update?

Ira Z.

Looks like a deadlock..., maybe even more like a blowup!!
Zim claims they are being pushed to the corner.

Perhaps an extension?? In negotiating time?

Thanks Yoram,

Your comments are confirmed, and put into print here:

http://www.jckonline.com/2010/11/04/kimberley-process-plenary-again-ends-stalemate

Followed by "back-room" "cutting remarks" at the attached link.

I was happy to read that the US was not left alone, that there was a small group of countries (perhaps most stiffly lead by Canada), and that there was some modest support from a group of countries not letting everything just flow through, with "going back to doing business as normal" being the only rallying cry, though it appears to be a loud one.

Ira Z.

 

[diagem]

Ok, it's 6:22 pm right now in Israel, so I read, and if they close up discussion at 5 pm, they're done.

I read that the US was on the ropes, and unless it's not actually over (meaning they will have gone into extra innings), today will have been a very tough day.

Does anyone here have a local contact, or intelligence, and can give us an update?

Ira Z.

Looks like a deadlock..., maybe even more like a blowup!!
Zim claims they are being pushed to the corner.

Perhaps an extension?? In negotiating time?

Thanks Yoram,

Your comments are confirmed, and put into print here:

http://www.jckonline.com/2010/11/04/kimberley-process-plenary-again-ends-stalemate

Followed by "back-room" "cutting remarks" at the attached link.

I was happy to read that the US was not left alone, that there was a small group of countries (perhaps most stiffly lead by Canada), and that there was some modest support from a group of countries not letting everything just flow through, with "going back to doing business as normal" being the only rallying cry, though it appears to be a loud one.

Ira Z.

Here is a pretty simple summary by Edahn;

http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Here is where my focus is:

"...The second most common question (after what's next) was "Is KP dead?" No, it isn't. The fact that Zimbabwe's exports take place only when KP approves them is testimony to its strength."

 

[Regular Guy]

Here is a pretty simple summary by Edahn;

http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Here is where my focus is:

"...The second most common question (after what's next) was "Is KP dead?" No, it isn't. The fact that Zimbabwe's exports take place only when KP approves them is testimony to its strength."

The meaning of strength, it seems, is being tested very heavily right now, since it does seem Zimbabwe's exports are taking place, without KP approval.

http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=34714

Possibly Chikane is trying to do the impossible. I suppose he is recognizing the export is taking place, and playing Alexander Haig, saying "I'm in control here," to some hope for a purpose...that can be strung together, after the fact?

Ira Z.

 

[Regular Guy]

another meeting, today, trying to resolve the problem with Zimbabwe...

http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/kimberley-process-to-meet-over-zimbabwe-cms-926

Scorecoard includes:

US & Zimbabwe have proposals to make Zimbabwe conform

Canada and Australia are rejecting current proposals

Zimbabwe (I believe) not intending to even show at this meeting...and yet...committed to continue to export diamonds anyway, and it's documented that they have already done this (exported their diamonds), in what seems to be defiance of Kimberly, however, one report suggests that in their export, they conformed to a "loop hole." And...what's going on with Chikane (is he being reprimanded, etc.)?



Anyone know if today's meeting has a beginning & end date...or it's hoped to be done today?

 

[Regular Guy]

Well...this wasn't intended to be a blog....

...and intelligence would be of interest.

Today I read Zimbabwe has, after a good intermediate length of time, and while the KP is changing administrative coordination hats, had their diamonds approved for sale.

http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=6509

Anyone know why?

It is because the revised Jerusalem agreement won favor?

http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/english/News.aspx?boneID=918&objID=8492

and, substantively, what is the significance of the change, probably reported as follows:

"The revised agreement features an amendment to the "violence clause," which had garnered objections from Zimbabwe. The revised clause now states that the KP Working Group on Monitoring (WGM) can accept reports on serious breaches of the Joint Work Plan commitments from any three members, rather than from any two."

Warm regards,

Ira Z.

 

[Regular Guy]

Re my post from 2 days ago...it's at least possible that a "trial baloon" went out, causing the previous reporting.

It seems all is not said and done, yet...

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/inde...d-sales&catid=69:sunday-top-stories&Itemid=30


Ira Z.