Zimbabwe gets go-ahead to sell some diamonds

[July 16, 2010]  HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- A new agreement allowing Zimbabwe to sell its controversial diamonds is drawing words of caution from rights groups who have documented violations and killings in the country's diamond mines.

Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada say in a Friday statement that they welcome the agreement's condition that Zimbabwe make "measurable improvements" in its diamond-mining practices if they want to sell more than the two batches allowed by Thursday's agreement. The rights groups are calling for more controls in the months ahead.

A last-minute deal at a meeting of the Kimberley Process certification scheme in Russia has authorized Zimbabwe to sell two batches of diamonds under strict monitoring and regulation through Sept. 1.

[Associated Press]

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