Jim Fiebig Responds To Mohamed Mnzava, Detailing His Work In Madagascar
Introduction:
Here, Jim Fiebig responds to Mohamed Mnzava. Thanks to both for their permission to post which previously had been exchanged only in a private email.
This post is the third in a series of six consecutive posts covering the issue of artisanal gemstone mining from a macro perspective of two people in the field. In the next post, Jim responds to Mohamed. ~ Marc Choyt, Editor
THE EMAIL
Dear Mr. Mnzava:
Thank you for your interest in the Madison Group efforts and my opinion posted last week. It is this very exchange of views that gives me hope about the spread of freedom and information via the World Wide Web.
I have visited your country and had the best experiences I have ever had anywhere in Africa, if not the world. I spent a week in Dar-es-Salaam and would love to return there again. I would like to answer your questions in order below.
Its a contribution which presents a true nature of the way most Foreign Gemstones dealers notably from USA and Europe, Far East undermine miners and Governments in Africa, Mr. Jim should ask himself.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
MM: How did the people he claims are in poverty live before he arrived in Madagascar?
JF: Actually, the people in Madagascar who moved from subsistence farming into mining increased their income by a great deal. I fully understand the realtive nature of “poverty”.
MM: How much in money, knowledge and material worth has he supported the miners?
JF: I suppose this question would best be answered by all of the many Malagasy people who I have employed in various capacities over the eight years I have traveled to Madagascar. I have supported the IGM Gemological Institute of Madagascar with both cash and gemstone contributions. Several of my clients have also supplied scholarship funds to this Institute. We also support fresh water and sanitation initiatives in the South with Azafady, and a Street Children’s Center in the capital city.
MM: How much richer has he been since he arrived in Madagascar?
JF: Unfortunately, I must report that I have yet to make back the proceeds from the sale of my jewelry store that I invested in Madagascar. So far I am still out about $65,000.00 US dollars.
MM: How many Africans has he supported to penetrate the USA or and other export market?
JF: The Malagasy have now made appearances at Tucson and Hong Kong. This was entirely at the direction of Tom Cushman, from America.
MM: How much does he relatively pay for the Gemstones?
JF: Mr. Mohamed, you must understand that unlike all of the other “foreign dealers” you speak of, I make no commission from my clients transactions with the Malagasy dealers. My sole objective is to increase the volume of business that is done DIRECTLY with the Malagasy and facilitate these transactions for “foreign buyers” that want to benefit the indigenous population that so often have been robbed of these gems throughout history.
MM: There are many questions to ask Mr. Jim and many answers will be obvious that there is more to lose from the foreign buyers than gain.
JF: I would take issue with this since it was only these Foreign buyers that brought the resources to export these gemstones that meant nothing to the local population. I still believe that local populations should benefit much more than they currently do and that is what the Madison Group is all about.
MM: I have not seen anywhere in Mr Jims letter where he has directly mentioned or blamed whoever did illegally export the Emerald crystal in question.
JF: The Malagasy woman responsible in part for this deception is currently in jail. I do not condone any smuggling and have been adamant about NOT bribing and doing all the things that had become commonplace in the many African gem markets. Remember, I started traveling to buy gems for my store in 1988.
MM: In Africa we do blame the Thorn before we blame the affected….
JF: I like this saying. In Madagascar, the current embargo reaction that has paralyzed this growing industry is like our American saying of “Throwing the baby out with the bathwater” or “Not seeing the forest for the trees” It is very short sighted and that is my only point.
MM: I ask him to personally respond to me so that i can give him more data and references of the way foreign Gemstones traders rob the African nations.
JF: Thank you for this opportunity to respond. I am always interested in learning more about other viewpoints.
