Israel, chosen last month to oversee global efforts to end the trade in “blood diamonds” that stokes guerrilla wars, was put on the spot on Friday when Syria asked the UN General Assembly to delete any mention of that leadership role in the Kimberley Process.
The US and other Western nations, in turn, objected to the General Assembly resolution’s failure to censure Zimbabwe, which is accused of exporting “blood diamonds,” but they voted for the overall measure.
CONFUSION
The General Assembly suspended its deliberations for consultations on Friday morning after the US, Canada and Israel challenged the Syrian parliamentary maneuver and expressed confusion over what it meant and what effect it would have.
After a recess, the General Assembly reconvened and the Syrian amendment was defeated 90-6, with 18 abstentions. Iran and North Korea joined Syria and some Arab nations in voting against Israel.
The Syrian objection came as the assembly was poised to adopt a Namibia-sponsored resolution welcoming progress over the past year in efforts to cut the trade in “conflict diamonds,” which have provoked some of Africa’s most vicious civil wars and rebel movements. The objection was a surprise, never raised before Friday’s vote as a consensus draft resolution was developed.
Syria objected to a passing reference near the end of the six-page resolution that simply noted that nations involved in the Kimberley Process “selected Israel to chair” their efforts next year. The decision was made at an annual meeting last month in Namibia.
ARMS FINANCING
Syria accused Israel of dealing in Ivory Coast “blood diamonds” to finance arms transactions, an accusation that Israel has previously denied.
The Kimberley Process imposes stringent requirements on its 49 members to certify shipments of rough diamonds as “conflict-free.” The group consists of states and regional economic organizations that trade in rough diamonds, representing 75 countries.
Israel is a global trading center for rough diamonds and was among the founders of the Kimberley Process.
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