RUSSIA SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO COUNTER ILLICIT DIAMOND

UNCLAS MOSCOW 003609 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/RUS STATE FOR AF/S WALCH AND MARBURG NSC FOR ELLISON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON EFIN ASEC RS ZI SUBJECT: RUSSIA SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO COUNTER ILLICIT DIAMOND ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE REF: STATE 126054 ¶1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel points concerning illicit diamond activity in Zimbabwe to Vladimir Borisyuk, Acting Deputy Director of the MFA's Department of Economic Cooperation. Boriskyuk told us the GOR was aware of the diamond trading trends in Zimbabwe. He maintained that the GOR would continue to urge Russian firms investing and operating abroad to conduct their business activities in a transparent fashion. ¶2. (SBU) Borisyuk added the GOR would continue to uphold its participation in the Kimberley Process. He said the GOR was also working with a variety of Russian natural resources firms to improve methods of safeguarding the integrity of the mineral resources they extract and sell, at home and abroad. RUBIN