CREW letter claim: “DOJ Obstruction of Justice Investigation Memo” on the Russian Probe (12.05.2017)

United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary letter to AG Rosenstein and Acting Director McCabe on Russian Probe Briefings (12.05.2017)

U.S.: Letter from EEC to Deputy AG Rosenstein on violations of the “AG Sessions recusal from FBI’s Russian Probe” (12.05.2017)

Opinion: Trump’s two Executive Orders tries to deflect FBI’s Russian Probe!

President Donald Trump tries to deflect the Federal Bureau of Investigations Russian Probe into the Trump Campaign and United States Election in 2016. That must be seen since he the day after the FBI Director James Comey. He has tried to fill the news cycle with new movement, that goes back into the campaign spin, that even Sean Spicer hasn’t the capacity to hide behind. This is worrying if the American society buys into the quest Trump has with this new measures, while the acting FBI Director will continue the probe. Certainly, the case will not go away, even if Trump lies out of his teeth to the NBC, as he did earlier today.

LESTER HOLT: He asked for the dinner?

DONALD TRUMP: A dinner was arranged, I think he asked for the dinner. And he wanted to stay on as the FBI head. And I said I’ll, you know, consider and we’ll see what happens– But we had a very nice dinner. And at that time, he told me you are not under investigation. [OVER TALK]

LESTER HOLT: That was–

DONALD TRUMP: Which I knew anyway.

LESTER HOLT: That was one meeting. What was it, what were the other two? [OVER TALK]

DONALD TRUMP: First of all, when you’re under investigation, you’re giving all sorts of documents and everything. I knew I wasn’t under and I heard it was stated at the committee, at some committee level, that I wasn’t. Number one.

LESTER HOLT: So that didn’t come directly from him?

DONALD TRUMP: [OVER TALK] Then during a phone call he said it. And then during another phone call he said it. So he said it once at dinner and then he said it twice during phone calls.

LESTER HOLT: Did you call him?

DONALD TRUMP: Uh, in one case I called him and one case he called me.

LESTER HOLT: And did you ask, “Am I under investigation?”

DONALD TRUMP: I actually asked him, yes. I said, “If it’s possible, would you let me know am I under investigation?” He said you are not under investigation.

LESTER HOLT: But he’s, he’s given sworn testimony that there is an ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign and possible collusion with the Russian government? You were the centerpiece of the Trump campaign so [OVER TALK] was he being truthful when he says you weren’t under investigation?

DONALD TRUMP: [OVER TALK] Well, all I can tell you is, well I know what, I know that I’m not under investigation. Me. Personally. I’m not talking about campaigns. I’m not talking about anything else. I’m not under investigation” (NBC Exclusive Interview, 11.05.2017).

This is typical way of lying, putting different issues together and mixing it, while not disclosing or answering the interviewer. That President Trump knew is strange and that he claims Comey lied, is evident. Because Trump doesn’t want to lose face. Therefore, he called in this interview to try to look smart and deflect the grand issues arising from the sacking. It is not weird that he claims not be under investigation, since the FBI has had this probe for a while and different agents at the San Francisco, Pittsburg and Washington D.C. headquarters has worked on different parts of the investigation. So Mr. Trump is lying out of his teeth.

That is why he suddenly starts wasting public funds looking into ghosts and non-issues like fraudulent elections that the President has claimed all along, therefore now that he is catching a shit-storm of epic proportions. He has to try to send messages of other problems. So that he hopes the media looks away from the investigation that the FBI will continue to pursuit. Even with the firing of Comey and scandal of reasoning for doing so.

Therefore, this mission for a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, which just happen to be executed today: “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the

laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote fair and honest Federal elections, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Establishment. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (Commission) is hereby established” (…) “Sec. 3. Mission. The Commission shall, consistent with applicable law, study the registration and voting processes used in Federal elections. The Commission shall be solely advisory and shall submit a report to the President that identifies the following:

(a) those laws, rules, policies, activities, strategies, and practices that enhance the American people’s confidence in the integrity of the voting processes used in Federal elections;

(b) those laws, rules, policies, activities, strategies, and practices that undermine the American people’s confidence in the integrity of the voting processes used in Federal elections; and

(c) those vulnerabilities in voting systems and practices used for Federal elections that could lead to improper voter registrations and improper voting, including fraudulent voter registrations and fraudulent voting” (Executive Order, Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, 2017).

So by all means he tries to start a Commission to safe himself on the grand-issue has claimed all along, that the election was filled with frauds, even if he won it. Like he has been proud of all the time, and to top it all off, he delivered yet another one connected with the whole election. Since there been discussed the leaks and hacking of the elections, therefore he had to order on Cyber Security, even if he has no knowledge of what that entails or envisions how this might implicate the current freedom of the internet.

Like this quote of the Executive Order:

Section1. Cybersecurity of Federal Networks.

(a) Policy. The executive branch operates its information technology (IT) on behalf of the American people. Its IT and data should be secured responsibly using all United States Government capabilities. The President will hold heads of executive departments and agencies (agency heads) accountable for managing cybersecurity risk to their enterprises. In addition, because risk management decisions made by agency heads can affect the risk to the executive branch as a whole, and to national security, it is also the policy of the United States to manage cybersecurity risk as an executive branch enterprise” (…) “Sec. 2. Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure.

(a) Policy. It is the policy of the executive branch to use its authorities and capabilities to support the cybersecurity risk management efforts of the owners and operators of the Nation’s critical infrastructure (as defined in section 5195c(e) of title 42, United States Code) (critical infrastructure entities), as appropriate” (…)

Sec. 3. Cybersecurity for the Nation.

(a) Policy. To ensure that the internet remains valuable for future generations, it is the policy of the executive branch to promote an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet that fosters efficiency, innovation, communication, and economic prosperity, while respecting privacy and guarding against disruption, fraud, and theft. Further, the United States seeks to support the growth and sustainment of a workforce that is skilled in cybersecurity and related fields as the foundation for achieving our objectives in cyberspace” (Executive Order – Strengthening the cybersecurity of Federal Network and Critical Infrastructure, 2017).

For a person like me, this seem like a tactic for President Trump to get the discussions being on the Executive Orders, instead of the Russian Probe. Like people will forget that he is investigated by the FBI. Since he trying to get other people to look into the elections and the issues created by the election. Therefore, he now on the same day after the sacking, has to do all of this. Not build roads or anything constructive for the Republic. Instead, he has to gain attention on the other problems that was also during the election. Some that was only in his mind and imagination. So don’t expect any deep findings of irregularities, because I don’t expect them to look into the laws in the different states that often disqualify minorities and people who is not well-informed about the laws on how to register to be voter.

Still, the President Trump will lie, he will not accept the probe and subpoenas, which is about Michael Flynn and other Trump Campaign associates. We will not know for a long while the end-game of this. But there will be more documentation and more findings of the connections between Moscow and Trump. He can blindly lie to the fans of him and the Republican party. Still, the rest of us doesn’t have faith in a man, who cannot speak truthful or act reasonable.

President Trump are really in trouble, still not discussing legislation or trying to get it passed through the House of Representatives or the Senate. Only the Paul Ryan’s draconian health care bill. Therefore, he has to write Executive Orders, since he lack ability to work with others or even trust others. Since he knows and the world knows, he is under investigation by the FBI. That will continue, but don’t believe the hype of these orders today. They are used as pawns to try to change the agenda and questioning the firing of Comey, the Sally Yates revelations and the Russian probe. Peace.

Reference:

NBC News exclusive interview with Donald Trump – Partial transcript – (May 11, 2017)

Donald J. Trump – Executive Order: ‘ESTABLISHMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ELECTION INTEGRITY’ (11.05.2017)

Donald J. Trump – Executive Order: ‘STRENGTHENING THE CYBERSECURITY OF FEDERAL NETWORKS AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE’ (11.05.2017)

Jason Chaffetz letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz of DOJ on the FBI Probe into Russia and Clinton (10.05.2017)

Opinion: Trump’s Russian ghost doesn’t disappear with the axing of Comey!

“For Carter, it was as if the ghosts of Watergate stalked the halls of the White House. As with most ghosts, he wasn’t sure they existed, where they were or how to exorcise them.” Bob Woodward

President Donald J. Trump neither the wisest men of all; neither does he have the tact to look smart. He is just vicious and mean; he does not have character or have any grudges, except for when demeaning his wealth. Yesterday’s sacking of Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director James Comey is now on long list of people sacked by him.

Before the FBI director got the axe, several others legislators and security leaders has gotten the axe, that was the former Federal Prosecutor Preet Bharara and Acting Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates. House Intelligence Chairman David Nunes also stepped down from his position in the midst of the growing allegations. Therefore, it is not the first time President Trump clear the house of men and woman who looks into his chambers and his paper trail. Certainly, Trump think this is a wise decisions and thinks he can get people working directly for him, instead of people who investigate wrongdoings.

That the Trump Administration thinks this is brilliant and defending it is evident. As all spokespeople and all of the hired spin control are put into ALERT and trying to deflect the obvious reasons for the sudden axing. Suddenly the shadow of Moscow and the friendly Vlad are not going away. Like a pre-historical relic, it is figuratively the monument in the way for the legitimacy of President Trump.

It is very clear that President Trump want to deflect the matter, as the monster that overshadows his presidency. That is evident with his whiny tweets, and his digressions concerning the matter. Certainly, his manners and his acts towards fellow legislators who are in dismay proves the vulnerable position he has put himself into.

That Trump knows his concerning position on the Russian affairs, should be worrying. If he thinks people and investigators are stupid, than he underestimate the porous and fragile state he is in. President Trump already hired a sacked National Security Advisor, that even President Obama warned him about, but Trump did not care and hired Michael Flynn anyways. Only about 20 days later, because he was lying to Vice-President Mike Pence and later sacked as well.

That was because General Flynn gotten payments without authorization and without consent of the State Department by Russian affiliated groups and by Turkish interests. This was something he did not disclose and his reckless behavior with these foreign entities should have worried Trump, but it did not. Just like it did not matter for Trump during his campaign that the second campaign manager Paul Manafort clearly had contact and been paid by both Ukrainian interest and Russian affiliates. Just like has not mattered to Trump that his daughter Ivanka Trump and now advisor has been on vacation in August 2016 with the one of the supposed “girlfriends” of Vlad. The same as Jared Kushner, the son-in-law’s secret meetings with Russian ambassador and Alfa Bank, as well as the revelation of Eric Trump that it wise to do business in Russia, as reported in 2014.

There are a bit too many straws and too little time to maneuver them. He has hired people like former ExxonMobile executive Rex Tillerson who was enjoying a favorable relationship with Russia and was trying to giant business, even pursuing while in corporate to whine-down the sanctions against Russia. Since he wanted to do a massive oil-deal with the government there. Therefore, getting the job and getting the State Department proves how little effort the President Trump tries to conceal the apparent connection.

He must think people or the American people are stupid with the latest firing of James Comey, that the monster of the past and of the election suddenly disappear. No sorry brother, it will not be that easy. President Trump has mixed feelings, because he knows and therefore he have not been transparent. Certainly, some signs and evidence would be out there if the cash flow of wealth and business was looked into, the apparent profits and trades with Russia would appear. In addition, the IRS Tax Return would certainly establish the real value and the concentrated transactions of his personal wealth and his Trump Organization. Therefore, the world would see his inner-works and not just the image he likes to play.

That President Trump has connections and done activity with Russian is clear, to what extent and what effort, is still not disclosed to the world. We can know that it is something there, if it was not then he would not gone to the step of firing yet another individual looking into his business and the possible interference from a foreign power, in this regard, the Russians.

So even as the subpoenas are against Michael Flynn and on-going Probe in the Russian connections happens, and that Kremlin confirm a coming meeting between President Trump and Sergey Lavrov. Apparently, this all just happen simultaneously and co-existing. While President Trump thinks, it can be a castaway. You can throw a donut, but you cannot get rid of shadows and ghosts. Especially in the oval-office and while being President. The Commander-in-Chief should not have to worry about foreign interference, as he is a sovereign. However, I doubt President Trump knows the definition of sovereign. Peace.

Opinion: President Duterte isn’t one call away! President Trump: If you want an ally you need to be cordial about it!

Its might be true that the political game of President Rodrigo Duterte is rough, harsh and brutal. That might be true and so, the people should maybe, also study why he acts like he do and why he is still gained massive respect in the Philippines. That the drug-war has been bloody, the new rules on curfew among others has hit hard. Still, the realm is calm and the business has moved-on. As well as his friendship with China, Brunei and other partners in Asia. Therefore, it is not like the Island state has fought or created issues abroad.

On the other hand, you have an erratic and irresponsible figure as Commander-in-Chief in the United States, which does not play any rules or understands any sentences deep enough to grasp the implications to his actions. He bombs in nations without any plans and start covert missions without any forewarning or any get-go from the United Nations or fellow partners on the ground. His sudden approach to bombing an airstrip in Syria, which was open again a few hours later. The bombing in Afghanistan, that might have damaged some installations of ISIS in the mountains, but not gotten rid of them. Then you have the golden pocket of all, the Yemen strike that killed civilians and innocent, while not even determine the consequences and losing lives of American soldiers. Therefore, President Trump has his battles and has his own issues.

Donald Trump has also enforced the ICE, the Police and Department of Justice in the battle on immigration, his executive orders and his acts against fellow human beings is not sincere and humane. It is more degrading certain individuals and then trying to deport them. Even stopping them from entering. So when people call President Duterte all sort of killer and such, President Trump is not much better, they are similar, but have different approach.

That President Duterte is ruthless when it comes to his drug-war that everyone should know by now. The same could you say about the hatred and concern for immigrants and uncertain warfare approach the Trump Administration have. Therefore, that this happen is not something be concerned about:

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea. They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world. President Trump enjoyed the conversation and said that he is looking forward to visiting the Philippines in November to participate in the East Asia Summit and the U.S.-ASEAN Summit. President Trump also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the the United States-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction” (White House, 29.04.2017).

So out of the phone call, President Trump invited him without any protocol or guidelines behind him. Just after a friendly chat, this has happen before, they talked together in December 2016 as well. But then more cordial as you should do with foreign leaders. That being an official invite and not just brief talks.

Speaking to reporters in Davao City, Duterte said he has not made any confirmation due to other commitments” (…) “I’m tied up I cannot make any definite promise…I’m supposed to go to Russia, Israel…” he said” (…) “ Asked for more details on their phone call, Duterte said he expressed Manila and other Southeast Asian leaders’ concerns over tensions between the US and North Korea” (…) “It is the concern of everybody not only us but the ASEAN guys,” Duterte said” (…) “I said Mr. President, you cannot scare Kim Jong Un with firepower,” he said” (Merez, 2017).

So President Duterte didn’t just follow the erratic President Trump, as he shows that he is sovereign himself, also that he has loyalty other places. The Philippines are not only allied with the Americans more, they have also agreements with China and others who helps and develops the Republic without interference. Therefore, for Duterte the United States are less important as the Chinese and others are offering more for less. Especially, knowing that Trump only tries to get fellow leaders who can help him, since he doesn’t know anything about North Korea. If he knew he might have said and done things differently, but Trump doesn’t know better. He wants to take a shortcut and an use Duterte in his short-con.

Certainly, if the United States wants to have the President of the Philippines to visit Washington D.C. they should invite him with due process, he runs a nation as well and isn’t the lap-dog of the USA. That is how they have acted towards the Asian Republic in the past. With President Duterte they have to show some more tact and be more cordial. Certainly, he will not buy into the bullshit of Washington. Which, shows the changing ways of diplomacy is now between Manila and Washington D.C. Peace.

Reference:

Merez, Arianne – ‘Duterte says he has yet to accept Trump invitation’ (01.05.2017) link: http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/01/17/duterte-says-he-has-yet-to-accept-trump-invitation

Trump Administration proposed budget (FY-2018) to axe the ‘Economic Support Funds’ and the ‘Development Assistance’ on the African Continent!

Action without thought is empty. Thought without action is blind.”Kwame Nkrumah

You should expect by a man blessed and gotten the support by the Christian Conservative in the United States of America, to care a little about the ones who has less and needs support. You would expect of a man who claims to be a Christian and a man of faith to support charity and good causes. But President Donald J. Trump isn’t like any other Christian Conservative, I know, as he has used his own Foundation to buy statutes of himself and also use it on his real-estate, as well as reports of buying celebrity memorabilia.

Well, why do I start with this? Because it was released yesterday the remarkable “Financial Year 2018 Control Levels by state bureau, operating unit and Account”, this are the planned budget for the AEECA, DA, ESF, GHP-State and GHP-USAID. This United States Government document is dated not further back than the 6th April of 2017. The effects of the planned cuts in some of the regional aid projects, development aid and economic support funds, is as astonishing as the Presidency itself. It is a disgrace to anything of humanitarian understanding and belief of goodness in the Trump Administration at all. This sort of acts of disregard of humanitarian assistance, proves that the Trump Administration is a selfish, disgusting and belittling state. Who cannot afford to help the ones in need or the continue to finish the projects they have put forward abroad. The development projects overseas will now fail over night. Just take a look!

The “Economic Support funds” and “Development Assistance”, who are slashed a total of 100% from 2017 to 2018 are in Burundi, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the African Union! Also the own offices and planning regional development all over the continent like the: USAID African Regional, USAID Central African Regional, USAID East African Regional, USAID Sahel Regional, USAID Southern Regional and the USAID West Africa Regional as well. That is 20 African countries being directly dropped by the Trump Administration and cutting needed funding of running expenses by these government. This happens without any consideration of finding alternative sources or taxing to cover the dropped direct support. That is apparent the act of the Christian Conservative President Trump, who is supposed to be a charitable and caring character. Clearly, he wants to send the African nations a message, that he doesn’t give two shits about their fate or their sustainability.

What is the meaning behind the ESF: “Economic Support Funds (ESF) is economic aid designated to promote economic or political stability in areas where the United States has special strategic interests. Authorized under Chapter 4, Part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, ESF is a flexible assistance tool that can be structured to meet a diverse range of foreign policy and economic development objectives. The makeup of ESF programs are made on a country-specific basis, while the nature of ESF assistance to a particular country is determined by a combination of the needs of the recipient and U.S. foreign policy objectives. Among ESF’s diverse applications are the following programs (among others): advancing peace and stability, building accountable and transparent institutions, creating economic and educational opportunities for youth, countering extremist ideology, counter-terrorism and counternarcotics, governance, economic growth, anti-corruption, trade capacity building and democratic strengthening. The executive branch is responsible for policy decisions and justifications for ESF use, including country eligibility and funding levels” (Security Assistance Monitor).

What is the meaning behind the “Development Assistance”: “ … [for] sustained support of the people of developing countries in their efforts to acquire the knowledge and resources essential to development and to build the economic, political, and social institutions which will improve the quality of their lives.” (USAID, 2005).

So the Trump Administration apparently doesn’t see any Foreign Policy or Economic Development Objectives inside 20 African Nations in Financial Year of 2018. This is only in the African States and Republics, not all over the world. Clearly the values of quality of life, building economic, political and social institutions doesn’t matter to Trump. The monies saved are surely going to more ‘Mothers of All Bombs” or to expensive carriers to fight an unnecessary war. Since, President Trump is caring or considering about the acts of his time in office.

The USAID operations on the African continent is clearly sending a message, that he does not think off or has anything to offer them. That the U.S. plans to be their uncle or sugar-daddy, that their instead thinking of leaving them behind. The wealth of United States rather goes to building war-ships and bombers, than being used on Humanitarian projects building institutions abroad. Therefore, the United States as a power-player on the African continent is gone with this. As their forged relationship and patronage is gone with this sort of budget. The significant relationship between their development projects in the 20 nations who suddenly get brash cuts and stopped all funding off. Peace.

Reference:

Security Assistance Monitor – ‘Economic Support Funds’ link: http://securityassistance.org/south-asia/content/economic%20support%20fund

USAID – ‘U.S. Foreign Assistance Reference Guide’ (2005) link: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadc240.pdf

EU’s new regulation plans to scrap imports of conflict minerals by 2021!

The people back home wouldn’t buy a ring if they knew it cost someone else their hand”Maddy Brown (Blood Diamond, 2006).

The European Union are acting out of care and thinking of transparency for the industrial imports and mineral exporters. This is happening just a little month after the United States opened up their legislation for importing more from conflict zones. While the European Union plans to close the gate from areas and from sources that export Conflict minerals.

So the EU laws are becoming more stricter than the United States, even if the law they have enacted in the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, will be effective from 2021. So it is 4 years until it has giant effect and gives time to refinery and importers to change behavior. Something that is necessary, as well as the public have to grow concern of the affects of buying conflict minerals. Even as the conflict minerals still come into the market of Europe and into the refineries so the consumers doesn’t know and cannot follow where their products who contain minerals comes from war-zones.

That the European Union takes this serious and acts upon this Nobel, and proves that they does not want to support militias and guerrillas that keeps control of mineral rich areas and their exports to supply weapons and continue warfare in for instance the African Great Lakes Region. Take a look!

Background of new rule:

This Regulation, by controlling trade in minerals from conflict areas, is one of the ways of eliminating the financing of armed groups. The Union’s foreign and development policy action also contributes to fighting local corruption, to the strengthening of borders and to providing training for local populations and their representatives in order to help them highlight abuses” (EU, P: 8, 2017).

Conflict Minerals from Great Lakes Region:

The Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy should regularly review their financial assistance to and political commitments with regard to conflict-affected and high-risk areas where tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold are mined, in particular in the African Great Lakes Region, in order to ensure policy coherence, and in order to incentivise and strengthen the respect for good governance, the rule of law and ethical mining” (EU, P: 16, 2017).

Trade of Minerals funds armed conflicts:

Preventing the profits from the trade in minerals and metals being used to fund armed conflict through due diligence and transparency will promote good governance and sustainable economic development. Therefore, this Regulation incidentally covers areas falling within the Union policy in the field of development cooperation in addition to the predominant area covered which falls under the common commercial policy of the Union” (EU, P:17, 2017).

Important Article:

Article 3: Compliance of Union importers with supply chain due diligence obligations

1. Union importers of minerals or metals shall comply with the supply chain due diligence obligations set out in this Regulation and shall keep documentation demonstrating their respective compliance with those obligations, including the results of the independent third-party audits” (EU, P: 23, 2017).

Date of Application:

Articles 1(5), 3(1), 3(2), Articles 4 to 7, Articles 8(6), 8(7), 10(3), 11(1), 11(2), 11(3), 11(4), Articles 12 and 13, Article 16(3), and Article 17 shall apply from 1 January 2021” (EU, P: 51, 2017).

What the statements on the law:

The Commission will consider making additional legislative proposals targeted at EU companies with products containing tin, tantalum, and tungsten and gold in their supply chain should it conclude that the aggregate efforts of the EU market on the responsible global supply chain of minerals are insufficient to leverage responsible supply behaviour in producer countries, or should it assess that the buy-in of downstream operators that have in place supply chain due diligence systems in line with the OECD guidance is insufficient” (…) “In the exercise of its empowerment to adopt delegated acts pursuant to Article 1(5), the Commission will take due account of the objectives of this Regulation, notably as set out in recitals (1), (7), (10) and (17). In doing so, the Commission will, in particular, consider the specific risks associated with the operation of upstream gold supply chains in conflict affected and high-risk areas and taking into account the position of Union micro and small enterprises importing gold in the EU” (…) “In response to the request of the European Parliament for specific guidelines, the Commission is willing to develop performance indicators specific to the responsible sourcing of conflict minerals. By means of such guidelines, relevant companies with more than 500 employees that are required to disclose non-financial information in conformity with Directive 2014/95/EU would be encouraged to disclose specific information in relation to products containing tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold” (EU, P: 57-58, 2017).

The European Union is doing something positive with this. That they show effort and care for the imports and what affects the export has locally, so if the minerals export is shady, the export will cease. So if the due diligence regulation works and the industry complies, the effect can be enormous. The consumer will also know that there are not supporting by third party purchase to pay for ammunition rebels, warlords or guerrillas in far away lands. This should all be seen as step of making a better world and honorable society. Where the money is where the mouth is! Peace.

Reference:

Council of the European Union – ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union system for supply chain due diligence self-certification of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas – Outcome of the European Parliament’s first reading (Strasbourg, 13 to 16 March 2017) – (20.03.2017).