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Ecthy
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Zhonghuà Rénmín Gònghéguó
Mar 2000
time: 06:16
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it is attitude not aptitude that determines altitude. now isn't that scary?
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Flubber
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With a view of the Rockies
Aug 2000
time: 22:16
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Oh and Q
I think a lot of people "care" about what happens in these places but the question becomes what can they do about it. Even if Canada dedicated a billion dollars and the complete attention of its government to the problems in the Congo, its doubtful the problems would be "solved".
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atomant
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Aussie, no longer lost in Africa
Jul 2002
time: 15:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Q Cubed
auf englisch, marocko is morocco. and...
murder, death, destruction, genocide, massacres... 
you're right. who cares about the congo? there's nothing of economic value there. don't worry your pretty little head about it too much. |
Let me point out the the Democratic Republic of the Congo is neither democratic or a republic. However, some facts, rather than poorly based value judgements should be put forward.
Quoted from various sources:
Since 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC; formerly called Zaire) has been rent by ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow in 1994 of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued. KABILA was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state ten days later. In October 2002, the new president was successful in getting occupying Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and set up a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is joined by four vice presidents from the former government, former rebel camps, and the political opposition.
Natural Resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber (My god, that could be construed as something of VALUE  )
end quotes
As for the mineral wealth still being untapped, it doesn't take a lot of effort, just enforcement of peace. Other infrastructure projects in harsh environments in the developed and developing world have succeeded, for example gold mines in Indonesaia and the North seas Oil fields to name but two.
Whilst I think the UN is effectively neutered as an organisation, it is hard to enforce peace when the people commiting acts of violence are high on drugs and believe they are immune to bullets.
I am also probably the only on on the boards who has travelled to the DRC and yes it is a bombed out wreck of a country. However, there is hope The country can be pulled up by the boot straps from its own mineral resources and a good helping of good governance, the lack of which has been the bane of Africa in general. Additionally it will take western human resources to take the rans and drive the country in the right direction.
To say the country is a write off is both foolish and short sighted. Perhaps things such as this should not just be put in the 'to hard box' but looked at from a different perspective. Solutions to all problems can be found if one thinks out side the square.
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08-03-2005 03:23
Western Sahara is another one, Morocco invaded in 1975 after the spaniards left due to Francos death. Many of the western saharis live in refugee camps in Algeria, and have done so for nearly 30 years...
Maybe you should get a 
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