But it also has a strong allure, particularly for resource-rich countries like Romania that are struggling to develop impoverished communities that need jobs.

The Iraq war itself is seen less as a battle for freedom than an attempt to secure oil supplies, awakening suspicions in the region's resource-rich countries.

These resource-rich countries, he said, "have much more pressing issues than those of religious conflict."

He recently spent time in Brazil and is distressed to see such a resource-rich country with a dynamic people remain so poor.

Why this resource-rich country cannot feed itself is a problem that has probably consumed more of its leaders' time than anything else.

It is an inevitable temptation, in a resource-rich country like Russia, for leaders to misgovern for reasons of political or financial greed.

Despite the attractions for foreign investors in this resource-rich country, outside participation in the bourse will be limited at first.

The realisation dawns that this is a resource-rich country with a relatively undeveloped cash-economy.

Russia is well ahead of most other resource-rich countries in its economic development, with a long tradition of education, science, and industry.

On average, resource-rich countries have made the most progress, rising from 10% in the mid 90s to around 17% in 2008.