United States State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley addressed the recent Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Tel Aviv in his latest White House press briefing.



The United States, he told reporters, "was disappointed that consensus was not reached concerning the administrative decision on Zimbabwe at the meeting in Tel Aviv.



"We look for Zimbabwe to make further progress implementing the necessary steps to bring the Marange diamond fields into compliance with Kimberley Process minimum requirements. We strongly oppose any attempts to export Marange diamonds before consensus is reached."



Washington, he added is "looking forward to continuing to engage with all Kimberley Process members on this matter and welcome the chair’s efforts in this regard. It is important that Zimbabwe address the ongoing diamond smuggling and human rights violations in and around the Marange diamond fields."