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Venezuela Withdraws from Kimberley Process
By Deepthi | June 20, 2008
Close upon the heels of numerous calls by NGOs like Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada that Venezuela be expelled from the Kimberley Process, Venezuela has made it an easy decision by voluntarily withdrawing themselves for the next two years.
Mineweb reports that Venezuela will not export rough diamonds for the next two years, and a KP team will be visiting Venezuela to assess the situation and prepare a report before the next plenary meeting in November. As has been widely reported, Venezuela produces an estimated 150,000 carats of diamonds annually, but has reported no official exports after January 2005. Nearby Brazil has proven a possible avenue for international smugglers.
Topics: Conflict Diamond Issues, In the News, Uncategorized |