Russia Blames the West for “Unfounded” Accusations of its KP Compliance

Commenting on an article published in the New York Times that says the US and other western countries are taking action that could officially label Russian diamonds as “conflict diamonds,”  Russia’s Ministry of Finance said that Russia “has always been and remains an exclusively responsible participant in the Kimberley Process,” Rough & Polished reports.

Russia also said that western attempts to question Russia’s full compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) are “unfounded and speculative.” It also condemned the “attempts of the Civil Society Coalition supported by an absolute minority of some Western participants to politicize the work of the Kimberley Process substituting and distorting the basic principles. We consider it absolutely unacceptable to dilute the profile of the KP.”

“Russia intends to continue discussing the definition of “conflict diamonds”. We believe that the success of this work is possible only on a depoliticized basis, in full compliance with the rules of the Kimberley Process. We expect our opponents to refrain from further speculative accusations and focus on the substantive work of the Kimberley Process, showing respect for other participants and global diamond mining industry as a whole. We call on all participants and observers of the Kimberley Process to strictly follow the Rules and Procedures of the Kimberley Process and the agenda agreed upon by consensus,” the Russian Ministry of Finance said in conclusion.

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