General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHelp me choose a topic: International Relations, the battle over natural resources.
I am taking a college seminar course about International Relations, with an emphasis on... well, use your imagination. Oil, water, minerals, etc., and the international fight over resources.
Ideas I am considering:
1. The hypocrisy around the battles for resources. How is the war for oil justified?
2. The hypocrisy of the USA being overly interested (to the point of meddling) in regions that have oil, juxtaposed with the US not having the same level of interest in Darfur, the Sudan, etc. because they have no oil.
3. What about the US arming puppet governments in South America against "rebels"?
4. How do UN members live with themselves? Meaning in a more diplomatically stated way, of course, How Does the UN Tick?
These are my own ideas. If you have suggestions, I would appreciate it!
Edited before any of you had a chance to comment, thanks!
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)Here's another idea to consider.
CRISIS IN THE CONGO
What is the source of the conflict in the Congo?
The source of the conflict in the Congo is the scramble to control Congos vast natural wealth of gold, diamonds, coltan, copper, cobalt, uranium, tin and many other precious and strategic minerals. Nobel Laureate Wangari Mathaai says these wars when you look at them, they are all about resources and who is going to control them.
...
Is it true that Rwanda invaded the Congo?
Yes! Rwanda and Uganda invaded the Congo twice, first in 1996 and again in 1998. These invasions unleashed the mass deaths and suffering that we see in the Congo today. It is estimated that nearly six million people have died as a result of the invasions of Congo. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women have been systematically raped as a tool of war to displace entire communities and demoralize the population.
...
Has the United States or other Western powers been involved in this conflict in any way?
Yes! Rwanda and Uganda are allies of the United States, some would even say they are client states to US and British interests. Both countries receive financial and military aid from the United States, World Bank and other Western institutions. This aid has continued unabated even during the invasions of the Congo. During a Congressional Hearing in 2001 held by Congresspersons Tom Tancredo and Cynthia McKinney, it was documented by experts under oath that the US provided military aid to Rwanda during its first invasion of Congo in 1996. Click here to read minutes from the hearing. Also, read the 2006 London Telegraph article British Ally Behind Worlds Bloodiest Conflict.
...
Coltan: Learning The Basics
Coltan is short for Columbite-tantalite a black tar-like mineral found in major quantities in the Congo. The Congo possesses 80 percent of the worlds coltan. When coltan is refined it becomes a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electric charge. The properties of refined coltan is a vital element in creating devices that store energy or capacitors, which are used in a vast array of small electronic devices, especially in mobile phones, laptop computers, pagers, and other electronic devices.
Who are the primary exploiters of Coltan in the Congo?
Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and their proxy militias are the primary exploiters of coltan in the Congo. In an 18 month period Rwanda made $250 million as a result of exploitation of coltan in the Congo. Although Rwanda and Uganda possess little or no coltan, during the period of the war in the Congo, their exports escalated exponentially. For example, Rwandas coltan export went from less than 50 tons in 1995 to almost 250 tons in 1998. Zero cassiterite was transported from the Congo to Uganda in 1998, however by 2000 151 drums were transported.
The United Nations notes in its 2001 report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the congo that The consequences of illegal exploitation has been twofold: (a)massive availability of financial resources for the Rwandan Patriotic Army, and the individual enrichment of top Ugandan military commanders and civilians; (b) the emergence of of illegal networks headed by either top military officers or businessmen.
Foreign Corporate exploitation
Although the countries mentioned above directly exploit coltan, foreign multi-national corporations have been deeply involved in the exploitation of coltan in the Congo. The coltan mined by rebels and foreign forces is sold to foreign corporations. Although, the United Nations in its reports on the Congo do not directly blame the multi-national corporations for the conflict in the Congo, the United Nations does say that these companies serve as the engine of the conflict in the DRC.
Major United States players include:
Cabot Corporation, Boston, MA
OM Group, Cleveland, Ohio
AVX, Myrtle Beach, SC
Eagle Wings Resources International, Ohio
Trinitech International, Ohio
Kemet Electronics Corporation, Greenville, SC
Vishay Sprague. Malvern, PA
Corporations from other countries have been a part of the coltan exploitation chain. These companies include but are not limited to Germanys HC Starc and EPCOS, Chinas Nigncxia, and Belgiums George Forrest International.
just an idea.
Quantess
(27,630 posts)and I will definitely email the links to her.
I met someone from the Congo at school...he speaks fluent english and french. He said, very jovially, "they won't leave us alone!" about the fight over this one precious and rare metal.