VOA标准英语2009-Conflict Minerals Under Study in US Congress

Bipartisan legislation on so called "conflict minerals" was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill is designed to create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices when they purchase electronic devices like cell phones.

Mariama Diallo | Washington 26 November 2009

 

Bipartisan legislation on so called "conflict minerals" was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives. Conflict minerals are metals mined in war-torn countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo - that are imported for key elements in electronic products. The bill is designed to create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices when they purchase electronic devices like cell phones.

Most electronic devices used on a daily basis all over the world contain minerals that are fueling a gruesome war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

U.S. Congressman¹ Jim McDermott says that demand for tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold from the DRC will not stop until consumers have better information about their place of origin.

"The worldwide demand for those minerals will not go away until you and I throw away our blackberries, cell phones and everything else that use these minerals in very small amount," said Jim McDermott.

Congressman McDermott is not saying that consumers should throw away their cell phones. He and others introduced the Conflict Minerals Trade Act to require more information about the metals used in electronic devices.  It also would prohibit US-based companies from importing products containing so-called "conflict minerals." 

McDermott says he wants corporations to stop purchases that incite² conflict between armed groups fighting for these minerals.

"The bill will create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices, and it will make it easier for America to vote for peace not for war in the DRC," he said.

Enough, a project of the liberal Center for American Progress, launched a campaign against conflict minerals. It has released information about the journey of the so called 3 Ts (Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum) and other metals mined in the DRC. John Norris is the organization's executive director:

"We are able to demonstrate the very clear path that minerals take from militia³ and rebel held areas to middle men often in Uganda and Rwanda, to smelters usually in the Far East and showing there are ways to track these minerals," said John Norris. "And there are effective responses to deal with the problem."

The project worked with 21 of the largest electronics companies to build a consensus⁴. But not all of them are on board yet.

"We've dealt with some companies that are much more progressive or are willing to discuss this issue very seriously with us," he said. "Others have been far less responsive."

He says he will release the list of hold-outs next year. 

As to the bill, the congressman was noncommittal about when it might pass. 

"I am sure when people get an understanding of what this bill is all about, it will move," said Congressman McDermott. "I think it's a very realistic bill so I am optimistic."

The Kimberley Process, regulating conflict diamonds, served as the model for the bill. The process certifies⁵ the origins of rough diamonds so diamonds coming from war zones do not reach consumers. Serge Tshamala, Economic Counselor⁶ at the DRC Embassy in Washington, welcomes the new bill.

"We are trying to stabilize⁷ the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and we need assistance like this," said Serge Tshamala. " It will also discourage companies from dealing⁸ with illegal armed groups who are exploiting these minerals. "

Senator Sam Brownback, a Republican, supports the bill as do humanitarian⁹ organizations, advocacy groups and some industry leaders.

This doesn't mean that people will start throwing away their electronic devices tomorrow but the sponsors of the bill hope it's a first step toward responsible consumption.

 

1 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

2 incite   

v.引起，激动，煽动

参考例句：

• I wanted to point out he was a very good speaker, and could incite a crowd.我想说明他曾是一个非常出色的演讲家，非常会调动群众的情绪。
• Just a few words will incite him into action.他只需几句话一将，就会干。

3 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

4 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

5 certifies   

（尤指书面）证明( certify的第三人称单数 )； 发证书给…； 证明（某人）患有精神病； 颁发（或授予）专业合格证书

参考例句：

• Authority certifies the identity of sites on the internet. 权威负责向Internet网站授予其标识。
• The paper then certifies this algorithm by infrared image processing. 并且文中使用红外图像对这个算法进行了验证。

6 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

7 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

9 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。