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Speaking at the KP 2010 plenary session underway in Jerusalem yesterday, Mines and Mining Develop-ment Minister Obert Mpofu blasted the organisation’s review mission report on Zimbabwe presented to the plenary by Mr Kpandel Fayia, Deputy Minister of Liberia, over its bias against the restoration of Zimbabwe’s full diamond exports status.
“Our compliance must entitle Zimbabwe to immediately and unconditionally export (diamonds), simultaneously any recommendations of the review mission can be implemented and progress thereon established through the normal peer review mechanism without the need for the continuation of the JWP (Joint Working Plan) in any event,” Minister Mpofu said.
Minister Mpofu complained that Zimbabwe did not receive the report prior to its presentation to the plenary.
“The report of the review mission is invalid as Zimbabwe was not afforded the right of reply as provided by the standing KP standing rules.
“Surely, the findings and recommendations are not binding without our input.
“It is now clear that the Joint Working Plan is no longer serving the best interest of Zimbabwe. It is now evidently clear that it is being used as a tool to regulate improperly the flow of exports out of Zimbabwe.”
The KP rules provide that a country under review should receive and reply to a report at least two weeks before its presentation to the KP plenary.
Online Reporter