Posted on 08/08/2005 6:45:40 PM PDT by wagglebee
New York -- As a result of a second scathing report on his administration of the scandal plagued U.N.-Iraq Oil-for-Food Prgram by U.N. investigator Paul Volcker, Benon V. Sevan is now threatening to name names.
In a news conference, Volcker issued another "interim report" on the activates of Sevan, who ran the $67 billion aid program from 1997-2003.
Volcker came to the conclusion that Sevan did indeed accept what amounted to several hundred thousand dollars in bribes funneled to him through various overseas channels.
The most disturbing came through an aunt living in Cyprus who died in a mysterious apartment elevator accident after surviving an earlier car crash.
In an earlier press release, Sevan again denied any wrong doing and accused U.N. chief Kofi Annan of making him a "sacrificial lamb."
Before leaving for his home on Cyprus, Sevan spoke to NewsMax and revealed some of what he may now go public with.
Sevan insists that between 1997-2000 he personally informed the U.N. Security Council, to whom he reported, of "suspicious" activity on the administration of several Oil-for-Food contracts.
"They ignored me, they did nothing," insisted Sevan.
This was repeated several times, the embattled former U.N. official said.
At the time in question, the U.S.-U.N. delegation was headed by Richard Holbrooke, Madeleine Albright was secretary of state.
"Of course they knew (of the improprieties). Why did they not act? Ask them," Sevan said.
Neither Holbrooke nor Albright was available for comment.
In addition to Holbrooke, Russia was represented by Sergey Lavrov, now foreign minister.
Lavrov, like Albright and Holbrooke, did nothing, says Sevan.
Lavrov also could not be reached for comment.
The only indirect admission that the so-called U.N. "Permanent 5" could have done more came from China's U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, who admitted to NewsMax, "mistakes were made and we have confidence the secretary-general will address them."
In addition to pointing fingers at the Security Council, Sevan also pointed fingers at the now defunct Iraq Coalition Provisional Administration (CPA), headed by Paul Bremer.
Almost all of the U.N.-Iraq aid program's activities were taken over by the CPA in mid-2003.
According to U.N. investigator Volcker, almost an additional $6 billion in Iraqi money cannot be accounted for.
Furthermore, Volcker complained that U.S. and UK officials in the CPA stonewalled his investigators and also believed that key documents involving the Iraqi aid were either destroyed or moved to undisclosed locations out of the reach of his investigators.
Bremer was also not available for comment.
Kofi Annan, who loudly boasted in April that Volcker "had exonerated" him is not yet out of the woods.
Still troubling to the investigatory panel is Annan's son's relationship with a U.N. contractor, Cotecna Inspection Services.
Annan has publicly distanced himself from his son and his business relationships.
Yet, NewsMax has learned of several instances when Kojo Annan used his father's official U.N. residence for"private" parties.
U.N. security officials complain that in all of the alleged instances, the younger Annan, in a blatant violation of U.N. operating guidelines refused to disclose the identities of his "guests."
"They could have been terrorists for all we know," said one U.N. security veteran.
Annan's office denied the allegations; U.N. security officials stood by their accounts.
Kojo Annan was not available for comment.
"Of course they knew (of the improprieties). Why did they not act? Ask them," Sevan said.
This could start getting really interesting!
Only if the legacy media comes out of their Jennings-mourning mode and covers the story...which most of the media has not bothered to do...
Where's the popcorn icon?
"Bolton" strikes terror in the heart of Turtle Bay!
Bolton working fast
Regardless of what the L/MSM choose to show, if the rat starts to rat. Good. It is what goes on public record that counts. And the UN scandal may be to big once things start to snap crackle and pop, for them to ignore it.
"Just Damn"
Nothing is better than when the sharks start feeding on themselves. Goodbye to whatever hopes for a positive Clinton legacy he could have ever hoped for....
What I wouldn't give to see Madeleine Albright frog walked in a pair of handcuffs!
Hmmmmm,..... could he implicate Saint Madelene in the deal???
Congress is in recess for a month, without anything else to cover, the media will have to start "taking what it can get." If Sevan names high-level, well known Clintonistas, it will be hard to ignore. (Of course the media will help bury anyone if that's what's necessary to protect BJ and Hitlery.)
That man needs to invest in some kevlar! Quick!
That was after the falling anvil and the rat poison in the tea. The woman was amazingly unlucky...
According to U.N. investigator Volcker, almost an additional $6 billion in Iraqi money cannot be accounted for. Furthermore, Volcker complained that U.S. and UK officials in the CPA stonewalled his investigators and also believed that key documents involving the Iraqi aid were either destroyed or moved to undisclosed locations out of the reach of his investigators.
You think so?
This is why the dems and those at the un are afraid of Bolton. He will reveal all and heads will truly roll(I hope). The blood of our troops is on the hands of the un.
bttt
Sounds like Sevan shouldn't buy any green bananas. The stakes are very high for some powerful people.
Must have been Peter Sellers and the rest of The Ladykillers.
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