Zimbabwe troops 'leaving Marange diamond field'

[ccharles000]

Zimbabwe say it is pulling soldiers out of a diamond field in the country's east, after global diamond trade chiefs alleged abuses were taking place there.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu told state-run media Zimbabwe had complied with 90% of demands made by trade watchdog the Kimberley Process group this month.

Activists had wanted the group to suspend Zimbabwe, saying troops had killed 200 people at the Marange field.

But instead it urged Zimbabwe to reform, giving a June 2010 deadline.

The Herald newspaper quoted Mr Mpofu as saying the government had achieved a lot in its attempts to comply with the Kimberley Process, which regulates trade in so-called blood diamonds

"As is evident at these fields, there are no army officers or police details," he said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8368103.stm

[bridgit]

1. There may be stranger menage a twa, but the one between DeBeers, Pat Robertson & Brooklyn is odd

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6441

http://www.sullivan-county.com/news/pat_quotes/diamonds.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5428055

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3940973