ICA Expresses Concern for Collateral Damage in Burma


ICA PRESS RELEASE

August 22, 2008 – New York – The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) issued a statement today regarding the Tom Lantos ìBlock Burmese JADE Act of 2008,î signed by President Bush on July 29, 2008, which bars gemstones of Burmese origin – specifically rubies and jadeite – from entering the United States via third party countries. This importation ban encompasses all jadeite and rubies coming from Burma, including stones that have been processed in other countries such as Thailand.

ICA reiterated that its policies are in line with all national and international associations against the violent repression of individuals, human rights and pro-democracy movements in Myanmar (formerly Burma). In light of this, ICA has asked its members to stop buying Burmese gemstones from any government sources and/or people who support those endeavors.

However, the ICA also fears that, the US governmentís decision to support a systematic ban on the trade of Burmese gemstones may very well have a negative impact and cause collateral damage upon independent and poor populations engaged in mining, processing and trading activities in Myanmar and other countries.

"Those who will suffer are the very people that the legislation intended to protect," Andrew Cody, President of ICA, said in a statement. "It is a pity that the leadership in national, international and governmental agencies, people that are not really in-the-know as to what takes place on the ground, failed to consult our association on this issue, and to our knowledge, no collateral damage study was undertaken," he concluded.

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For more information contact:

International Colored Gemstone Association
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New York, NY 10016
USA
Tel: 1-212-620-0900
Fax: 1-212-352-9054
ica @ gemstone.org