U.N. Council seeks to stop natural resource abuse

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.N. Council seeks to stop natural resource abuse

By Patrick Worsnip
Mon Jun 25, 7:36 PM ET

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security
Council sought on Monday to boost the role of the world body
in preventing natural resources from fueling conflicts, as
so-called "blood diamonds" have in Africa.

A statement issued after a daylong debate initiated by council
president Belgium highlighted ways that U.N. committees,
experts and missions could do more to stop illicit exploitation
and trade in resources from conflict areas.

Speakers from about 30 countries recognized the dangers of
armed groups profiting from commodities including diamonds, gold,
oil, timber and coltan -- used in making cellular phones -- to
finance arms purchases.

But the statement contained no specific directives and diplomats
said it had been watered down by countries anxious to head off
any attempt at international control over resources, including oil.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070625/sc_nm/un_resources_dc