sanctions passed but...

sanctions are a joke.

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7B428U20111205

The final version, which expands sanctions imposed two years ago against Eritrea, simply requires countries to make their companies involved in mining in Eritrea exercise "vigilance" to ensure funds derived from the sector are not used to destabilize the region.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-05/un-security-council-passes-sanctions-resolution-on-eritrea.html

Eritrea’s $2.59 billion economy relies on mining and gold that has drawn investment from companies including Canada’s Nevsun Resources Ltd.

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7B428U20111205

The new measures are contained in a resolution which received the support of 13 of the Council’s 15 members. China and Russia abstained.
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China has been the big winner in all this playing off Eritrea and Ethiopia against each other for the best mining and other economic deals in each country.

The west has managed to bring in new rules that the Chinese companies will just ignore but will make it a more harder for more ethical Western miners to do business there.

New sanctions are just a messy compromise that does not really bring much more pressure on the eritrean regime or improve the conditions of eritrea or Eritreans in any way.

How on earth can mining companies control what the eritrean regime do with the money anyway? Send in James bond?