Hussein Skimmed Billions from UN Food for Oil Program

New York Times ^ | 2/29/2004 | Susan Sachs

[bukkdems]

Follow the money. Saddam not only manipulated foreign supporters with profitable oil vouchers, he also skimmed off an average of 10% commision on every product delivered to Iraq through the Oil for Food Program. Much of the stuff was unuseable junk. UN inspectors winked.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I think that is how Hitlery described it.

CG

[kabar]

Some blockbuster... Freepers have known about this corruption for over a year now.

First of all, you couldn't have know about this corruption for over a year since the documents detailing the scam were only found several months ago post liberation. It is a blockbuster once the elite press like the NYT start covering it. Without such coverage, the story becomes just another "rumor" or "right wing fabrication." I am glad the NYT is covering the story so the Brokaws, Jennings, Rathers, et al start mentioning it as well.

[Allan]

What about others, in the U.N., Europe, or the U.S.?

According to Claudia Rossette
Kofi Annan put himself in charge of the "Oil for Palaces (excuse me...Food)" program.

[Tacis]

Yeah, but are they going to follow the money trail and then urge that Clinton give some of it back or is this another one of the White Water scams that Willie is going to get away with. It is because of the Saddam oil scam money that flowed into the White House that Vince Foster died and Suzie spent 18 months in jail rather than say anything.

[cyncooper]

He seemed like such a nice despot who cared about women's rights and all.

As long as the women "stayed out of his way", as Hillary likes to point out.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Sort of like her. Hillary likes everyone who stays out of her way. Others go mysteriously missing.

CG

[Dolphy]

I am glad the NYT is covering the story so the Brokaws, Jennings, Rathers, et al start mentioning it as well.

Let's see if they give it as much time as Halliburton's alleged wrongdoing or regular efforts to paint the President as an anti-Human Rights, fascist who sexed up the WMD threat. I am not holding my breath. Had the President held off and let the French lead a coalition to depose Saddam, we would be seeing a story a day on Saddam's atrocities.

[Ditto]

UN inspectors winked.

Winked? Hell. Tell the truth. They took bribes just like the bottom-feeding cleptocrats they are.

Only an idiot would allow that corrupt organization to have a say in our foreign policy.

[MD_Willington_1976]

DUH

[alrea]

"UN inspectors winked."

Must be tough for the NYTimes to admit this about their favorite charity.

Must have a new reporter of something.

[cweese]

...i've known about this corruption ever since it started (albeit without documented proof). at the least, i theorized it was happening as did most other people with any common sense. we've known forever saddam was a brutal dictator who was living beyond his means, so why wouldn't he be scamming cash out of the un monies? i do agree with you about why this is a blockbuster story. i just wonder how many idiots (who worship such rags as the nyt), who are hearing about this now, think it's news...

[alrea]

Hillary Rodham Clinton told us just last week that women were much better off under Sadaam

Amazing how much money can be made taking care of citizens.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Hussein Skimmed Billions from UN Food for Oil Program

So did the UN.

[dalebert]

Surprise Surprise!

[kabar]

Had the President held off and let the French lead a coalition to depose Saddam, we would be seeing a story a day on Saddam's atrocities.

Let's see what the coverage is when Saddam is placed on trial. I wish Bush would start the trial this Summer, but I have read that they are talking about the trial beginning in about two years. Hearing the stories of mass murder, torture, rape, etc. would have an impact on our upcoming election, but it won't happen.

[PISANO]

This is a blockbuster story...

Come on, don't be naive, there is no way this minor, insignificant story will get any play by the major news/print media when the CATACLYSMIC news event of the century is in the headlines now. You know......"Aristide was Kidnapped"!!

[kabar]

Agree. I have been following it ever since the WSJ article, but the story has never gained any traction until, hopefully, now. We are talking about mass corruption among the political class of numerous countries and the UN. It gives us a rare glimpse of how international relations are influenced by bribes and payoffs rather than national interests and moral principles. The Brits are investigating it seriously, but I doubt if the French will do anything, and I know the Russians won't.

The US should make all the facts known and let the chips fall where they may, but I think the USG will use the information behind the scenes to influence decisions under the threat of making the facts public.

[kabar]

Come on, don't be naive, there is no way this minor, insignificant story will get any play by the major news/print media when the CATACLYSMIC news event of the century is in the headlines now. You know......"Aristide was Kidnapped"!!

I am not being naive. The NYT is considered to be part of the "major" media. It sets the agenda for the nightly TV news and most of the other domestic papers. Moreover it has an international impact. The question is whether the NYT will make this a one time story or pursue it more vigorously--like the way they got everyone to talk about the boycott of the Masters.

[Arpege92]

"I am glad the NYT is covering the story so the Brokaws, Jennings, Rathers, et al start mentioning it as well."

I'll believe that when I see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears. These boys aren't going to mention anything unless it happens to make Bush look bad.

[JasonC]

Millions might be "skimming". Billions counts as "gouging".