Yellowknife (Oct 29/03) - The territorial government is not going to freeze out industry in the crafting of a national diamond strategy, Premier Stephen Kakfwi said Friday after a premiers' meeting in Quebec City.

Industry insiders are grumbling about their lack of input in developing the strategy since the premier and Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) Minister Jim Antoine gave them a sneak peak of the strategy roughly a month ago.

"None of us had been included in the development of the strategy," said Mike Vaydik, general manager for the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, concerning the Oct. 26 meeting. "You just don't know what's there," he said.

In government circles, defenders of Kakfwi have been saying the development of the strategy is a commitment the premier made to the other premiers. Supporters such as Antoine and RWED deputy minister Bob McLeod said Kakfwi would keep his commitment to the rest of Canada's premiers, providing them with a plan for where the strategy is headed, prior to inviting industry to join in the development process.

Now that commitment has been kept, the premier is requesting industry input.

Reaction of industry leaders and the quick defence by government officials portrays a scenario where much is at stake, including the philosophy and structure of the industry.

People such as McLeod expect to see a wholly-integrated, from-the-mine-to-the-finger strategy, maximizing the social and economic benefits derived from the diamond industry.

Industry leaders seem wary of that approach, seeing the development of the cradle-to-grave strategy as a resurgence of socialism, an attack on the profitability of the industry and a threat to future development.

"All the stakeholders will be invited to participate including De Beers, BHP, Rio Tinto, Diavik, Aber, as well as local cutters and polishers," said the premier.

Kakfwi downplayed any negative sentiment.

"The diamond mining industry invests hundreds of millions and they want rules of engagement that are clean and simple," he said.

Kakfwi also seemed philosophical, stating industry probably won't get everything it wants, but adding, "governments don't always get what they want either."