Conflict Diamonds - 1098 Words

Attempt Any Two Of the following ( 60 Marks - 30 Marks each ) | | Case 1 | Conflict Diamonds | | | During the late 1990s South African diamond product De Beers and other companies on the diamond industry discovered that some of the diamonds they were buying or selling came from groups who used the proceeds to finance brutal civil wars. In Sierra Leone, rebels took control of diamond mines by systematically chopping off the arms and hands of as many as 20,000 children, women and men until the diamond operations were turned over to them. Similarly events took place at diamond mines in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. About 4 million civilians have died in the civil wars financed by the diamonds. Anxious to avoid a†¦show more content†¦All other shoe makers ( Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Fila, Saucony) moved their plants overseas where labor is cheaper. With 10 percent of the market and revenues of $1.2 billion New Balance is committed to hiring US workers and keeping its five US factories going by using technology tight team work, fast delivery and close communication to keep costs near the level of the cheap Asian factories that make all its competitors shoes . Although it too has factories in Asia and Mexico, New Balance has continued expanding its US workforce. But in the 1990s the Federal Trace Commission (FTC) which regulates advertising clamped down on New Balance saying the â€Å"Made in USA† label cannot be used unless all or virtually all (98 percent) of the components and labor are of US origin. New Balance shoes contain rubber ( 25 percent of shoe) not of US origin because rubber is not grown in the United States. When New Balance complained that its shoes were the only ones still 100 percent assembled in the United State by the US workers out of all US parts except for rubber, which is impossible to source in the United States the FTC backed down, ruling that â€Å"Made in the USA† meant at-least 75 percent US parts an d labor. But labor unions, consumer groups and 150 members of congress attacked the ruling saying it made the label deceptive because it should mean 100 percent US content. DarleneShow MoreRelatedThe Diamond And Conflict Diamond1482 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction Blood Diamond or Conflict Diamond another term used to describe the illegal trade of diamond in Africa. The Blood Diamond is been used to finance conflicts, wars and humans rights violations. The Conflict exists for many years, profits have been made from the illegal trade of diamonds, Rebels and warlords use the diamonds to buy arms. There are many countries involved in the illicit trading the blood diamond, Sierra Leone, Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Angola. This assignment is aboutRead MoreEssay Conflict Diamonds782 Words   |  4 Pages1. What are conflict diamonds? What groups benefited from the trade in conflict diamonds? What groups were hurt by it? As defined in the case study, conflict diamonds are gemstones that are mined or stolen by rebels fighting internationally recognized governments. Any of the anti-government/rebel forces/guerrilla troops/or other nonconformist groups within the areas of question or which could fall into this category or situation. The case study points out two groups who benefited the most underRead MoreConflict Diamonds Essay2201 Words   |  9 Pagesit so desperately deserves. The purpose of blood diamonds is simple; they’re used as currency to buy warring factions and warlords armaments and fuel civil wars in unstable countries as well as continued guerrilla tyranny throughout countries like Angola and more famously Sierra Leone. When addressing the issue of blood diamonds mined from Sierra Leone, understanding the country’s geography, civil and political aspects are crucial. Blood diamonds often have a misconstrued meaning, and the definitionRead MoreThe War on Conflict Diamonds Ess ay1077 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Diamonds are forever† it is often said. â€Å"But lives are not†, says Martin Chungong Ayafor, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Panel of Experts, â€Å"We must spare people the ordeal of war, mutilations and death for the sake of conflict diamonds.† (United Nations 2). This is a very powerful quote from someone who has and is experiencing (Gerund) firsthand the gruesome terror of the conflict over diamonds in Africa. This war has started because of the greed for money and power in the abundant diamond industryRead MoreConflicts Between Conflict Diamond Trade1531 Words   |  7 PagesSouthern Africa today. This issue deals with conflict diamond trade, which is the trade of diamonds in which the conditions for the miners had been extremely poor, and as well, the profit gathered is usually taken into the funding of illegal activities in the area, such as funding rebel movements. Being in the 21st century, this should not be allowed by the general public, and there were actions taken by different organisations to attempt to stop the conflict diamond trade. However, up until today, theyRead MoreThe Conflict Diamonds Of Sierra Leone1273 Words   |  6 PagesThe conflict diamonds started to be present and problematic in Sierra Leone as soon as DeBeers mining company took control of all diamond prospects throughout this region. Although DeBeers was keeping a moderate watch on the trading and actions being taken through it, traders from Lebanon (bordered by Syria and Israel to the south) were able to easily smuggle and mine diamonds out through the company. Later towards the 1950s, countries, such as Sierra Leone, had to give up the chance of regulatingRead More Preventing the export of conflict diamonds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo4642 Words   |  19 PagesPreventing the export of conflict diamonds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has large reserves of cobalt, gold, gems, copper, timber, and uranium. However, the most valuable resource that the DRC possess is its large reserve of diamonds. Diamonds essentially serve as a pillar to the DRC’s struggling economy. Plagued by civil unrest, the DRC is desperately trying to stabilize its economy. Their efforts have been met with stiff resistance due toRead More Blood Diamonds: The Conflict in Sierra Leone Essay3259 Words   |  14 PagesBlood Diamonds: The Conflict in Sierra Leone History of Diamonds: The name diamond comes from the Greek word, adamas meaning unconquerable. Fittingly diamonds are made of pure carbon, and diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man.[1] Diamonds have long been a sign of wealth and fortune. Kings and queens have worn these forms of concentrated carbon and even more countless millions people over time have lusted after them. These gems can be transparent, truculentRead MoreConflict Diamonds1086 Words   |  5 PagesMarks - 30 Marks each ) | | Case 1 | Conflict Diamonds | | | During the late 1990s South African diamond product De Beers and other companies on the diamond industry discovered that some of the diamonds they were buying or selling came from groups who used the proceeds to finance brutal civil wars. In Sierra Leone, rebels took control of diamond mines by systematically chopping off the arms and hands of as many as 20,000 children, women and men until the diamond operations were turned over to themRead MoreDiamonds, The Embodiment Of Esteem And Romance1601 Words   |  7 PagesDiamonds, the embodiment of esteem and romance. Millions of years ago, high temperatures and pressure in earth s mantle gave birth to a dazzling gem, a gem that would be loved and adored by many people. It would be put on ornaments and crowns, become the center piece of many jewelry, become the highest symbol of esteem, and even be compared to the stars. People would spend entire paychecks, even a month s, or a year s worth of salary, on trying to acquire it. And in today s world, it s even