International

`Plunder of Congo minerals unabated'

UNITED NATIONS MAY 24 . The plunder of Congo's mineral riches by the Government's allies and opponents is continuing unabated and criminal networks based outside Africa may be using Congo's resources to launder money, a U.N.-appointed panel said in a report.

The exploitation of Congo's natural wealth by foreign armies and their rebel supporters has resulted in ``widespread conflict, indiscriminate arming of large portions of the population and considerable insecurity'' — and battles are still being fought for control of areas rich in gold, diamonds, coltan, and timber, it said.The interim report to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday was a follow-up to a report last November that said some of Congo's allies and opponents were using security concerns as an excuse to exploit the country's mineral riches for their own profit.

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