Posted on 10/12/2004 8:45:20 AM PDT by quidnunc
A prominent French politician fingered as a recipient of bribes in Iraq's Oil-for-Food scandal insists that he's not guilty of anything — but that other leading French figures might be.
"I have never received any gifts from the Iraqi government," said former French interior minister Charles Pasqua, after the CIA's Duelfer report identified him as receiving eleven million barrels of oil in exchange for promoting policies favorable to Iraq.
Pasqua then switched to speaking about himself in the third person, Bob Dole-style, and said that others may not be so innocent: "Charles Pasqua is not involved, but maybe other former ministers are involved."
Maybe other foreign ministers are involved. Whatever the truth about Pasqua's own involvement in the Oil-for-Food scam, his comments indicate that the revelations about French corruption in the Duelfer report may represent only the tip of a very big iceberg.
Indeed, French political leaders have longstanding ties to Iraq — and chief among them is President Jacques Chirac (whose intricate relationship with Saddam Hussein is described in brief here and in more depth here).
Pasqua himself is by no means in the clear: The Duelfer report clearly identifies him as a partner in Hussein's plot "to induce France to aid in getting sanctions lifted." What's more, Pasqua is already at the center of a French corruption probe for a set of charges that have nothing to do with Iraq. The former interior minister appears to be taking these other allegations quite seriously. Last month, he won election to the French Senate — and his critics say he ran for office simply because the post grants him immunity from prosecution.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
What happens when toads turn on each other?
"And we would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those medling Americans and thier goofy dog!"
Pasqua then switched to speaking about himself in the third person, Bob Dole-style, and said that others may not be so innocent: "Charles Pasqua is not involved, but maybe other former ministers are involved."
It was his evil twin.
I know mine is always getting me in trouble.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MAN that was funny!
I don't think this is correct.
The Duelfer report said his name was on a list. The authenticity and meaning of the list was not guaranteed or explained. I'm not sure whether Duelfer actually obtained the list.
However, if the list is authentic and those listed accepted bribes for favors then the French are hardly the only guilty ones. What about Chevron and Mobil?
..rib-bit, Why insult the toads/frogs? ...or any other animal (for hat manner). The French/Liberals are horrible things ...an separate class (lowest of lowlife) onto themselves.
"..hat = that.." :D
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