The Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) issued a statement today spurred by the recent article, entitled "The Diamond Industry's Sad Lack of Leadership"...DMIA's president, Ronnie VanderLinden, welcomed Bates' remarks, saying the industry needs editors of his stature to send the occasional "wake-up call." However, he pointed out that DMIA has consistently and continuously been at the forefront of the U.S. diamond industry's efforts to address and eliminate reputational risks...''We abhor violence and are very concerned about human rights beyond 'reputational risks.'...This is exemplified by the active and leading role DMIA took in co-authoring the Diamond Source Warranty Protocol," he stated..."It is important to note that that we have been heavily criticized by some members of the international diamond community for taking this position and advocating it as a voluntary protocol that we feel should be adopted globally. But we will not compromise on this issue" he added.