Topic: Conflict Commodities
Country: Myanmar
Delegate Name: Jeff Contizano
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Myanmar position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
The topic on conflict commodities has been a heavily debated issue in the UN for quite some time. Because of the struggles and civil wars that developed in countries such as Sierra Leone, Angola, and Liberia, more attention was required when it came to “blood diamonds” and other conflict commodities. The diamonds are considered international concern because they are used to fuel conflict, through the purchasing of military weapons and aid from other countries. Rebel leaders have used the diamonds to establish their own forces in the previously mentioned countries, and caused terrible economic, social, and political stress on the countries involved. Traveling, trading, and other normal aspects of life had become far more dangerous, and because conflict commodities began to have an affect on other countries, it was necessary for the United Nations, more specifically the Security Council, to solve these dreadful problems.
Though Myanmar has not been extensively involved in any situations involving conflict commodities, it does understand the risks that can be involved in such trade. Clearly the situation in Africa has shed reasonable light on the matter, and in the future hopefully it can be prevented. Terrorists groups should not have access to diamonds, or timber, or whatever commodities they may use with attempts to overthrow existing governments. Myanmar has been warned of the dangers of such things, and is willing to spread the word on the commodities, so that large-scale war can be prevented around the world, not only in the Asian/European region.
