Western corporations and financial institutions have encouraged the exploitation. For example, in 1999, RCD-Gomaâ??s financial arm â?? known as SONEX â?? received $5 million in loans from Citibank New York. Additionally, a member of the U.S. Ambassador to the Congoâ??s honorary council in Bukavu has been promoting deals between U.S. companies and coltan dealers in the eastern region. He is also acting chair of a group of coltan-exporting companies based in Bukavu. (Bukavu is located in RCD-held territory.)

U.S. military aid has contributed significantly to the crisis. During the Cold War, the U.S. government shipped $400 million in arms and training to Mobutu. After Mobutu was overthrown, the Clinton administration transferred its military allegiance to Rwanda and Uganda, although even the U.S. State Department has accused both countries of widespread corruption and human rights abuses. During his historic visit to Africa in 1998, President Clinton praised Presidents Kagame and Musevini as leaders of the "African Renaissance," just a few months before they launched their deadly invasion of the DRC with U.S. weapons and training. The United States is not the only culprit; many other countries, including France, Serbia, North Korea, China, and Belgium, share responsibility. But the U.S. presence has helped to open networks and supply lines, providing an increased number of arms to the region.

http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/...sandsense.html
BlueCat Reviewed by BlueCat on . This is Sick!!! When I read the popular opinion in here it's usually how the U.S. is behind this war, started this conflict, backed a puppet government, etc........ Excuse me! The more I read on issues the more pissed I'm becoming...(BIG HIT...AHHHHHH better!). I honestly feel that the U.S. is getting alot of backlash due to it's Allie France...check this shit out: http://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Rwanda1.htm Ensconced in refugee camps, primarily in eastern Zaire, the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide Rating: 5