ABC Scoop on UN Scandal: "Monumental Rip-Off?"

ABC ^ | Apr 21, 2004 | Brian Ross

[The Raven]

April 20 — At least three senior United Nations officials are suspected of taking multi-million dollar bribes from the Saddam Hussein regime, U.S. and European intelligence sources tell ABCNEWS.

One year after his fall, U.S. officials say they have evidence, some in cash, that Saddam diverted to his personal bank accounts approximately $5 billion from the United Nations Oil-for-Food program.

In what has been described as the largest humanitarian aid effort ever undertaken, the U.N. Oil-for-Food program began in 1996 to help Iraqis who were suffering under sanctions imposed following the first Gulf War.

The program allowed Iraq to sell limited amounts of oil, under supposedly tight U.N. supervision, to finance the purchase of much-needed humanitarian goods.

Most prominent among those accused in the scandal is Benon Sevan, the Cyprus-born U.N. undersecretary general who ran the program for six years.

In an interview with ABCNEWS last year, Sevan denied any wrongdoing.

"Well, I can tell you there have been no allegations about me," he said. "Maybe you can try to dig it out." And in a Feb. 10 statement, Sevan challenged those making the allegations to "come forward and provide the necessary documentary evidence" and present it to U.N. investigators.

But documents have surfaced in Baghdad, in the files of the former Iraqi Oil Ministry, allegedly linking Sevan to a pay-off scheme in which some 270 prominent foreign officials received the right to trade in Iraqi oil at cut-rate prices.

"It's almost like having coupons of bonds or shares. You can sell those coupons to other people who are normal oil traders," said Claude Hankes-Drielsma, a British adviser to the Iraq Governing Council.

Investigators say the smoking gun is a letter to former Iraqi oil minister Amer Mohammed Rasheed, obtained by ABCNEWS and not yet in the hands of the United Nations.

[roses of sharon]

I have said for years that the immoral policy of containment of Saddam and Sons, consigned millions to tyranny for decades.

Bush 41 and Clinton should have taken out Saddam, and ignored UN demands.

But now that the UN has been exposed, the Kerry/UN/Soros ticket must not gain power, and give the UN even more status.

Get the word out.

[OldFriend]

First we have ABC actually exposing the UN for what it is...a corrupt useless organization, then we have CNN actually having a veteran on to dispute Kerry's lies.

Do you think there are those in the media who would not like to see the UN charged with the national security of America?

[OldFriend]

But Pat Buchanan said those starving children were the fault of the United States sanctions against Iraq!

[Grampa Dave]

A great post and a great 3 step program.

[Grampa Dave]

About one year ago, Free Republic posters nailed this shoddy criminal enterprise known as the Oil for Food/sham.

Hopefully a month before the election we will know all those around the world and in America who were bribed by the mass murderer, the $oddomite.

[SF Republican]

U.S. and European intelligence sources tell ABCNEWS so the CIA and MI5 are outing the UN?

[Republican Red]

Father Benjamin, a French Catholic priest who arranged a meeting between the pope and Tariq Aziz: 4.5 million

Geez, I wonder if this guy also arranged for Kerry's annulment?

[bondjamesbond]

You will recall the first building we siezed upon entering Baghdad was the Oil Ministry Building. Now that was smart strategery!

[hobbes1]

Some f*ng scoop. It was common knowledge on fr almost a year ago.

[The Raven]

It's a scoop that the media isn't burying the story.

[TigersEye]

There's your list of 'blood-for-oil' traders.

United States
Samir Vincent: 7 million
Shakir Alkhalaji: 10.5 million

Those must be the Arabic spellings for George Bush and Dick Cheney.

[TigersEye]

At the very least this obliterates his "plan" for dealing with Iraq, we must ask him what his new plan will be, as the Iraqi people are going to rightly reject any involvement by the UN.

The Iraqi people will be a little late. Kofi obliterated Kerry's plan the same day Kerry announced it. Kofi said that Iraq was too dangerous and the UN would not be sending any troops there.

[texasbluebell]

Wouldn't you love to know how big the Swiss bank accts are for the Annans, father and son? Not to mention all the others.

Sickening.

[CyberAnt]

"scoop"

Are they kidding ..?? FOX has been talking about this for months.

[RBroadfoot]

It's hardly a "scoop". The WSJ has been writing about this for weeks.

[RightWhale]

Bigger than Teapot Dome?

[RBroadfoot]

Are you sure that Mr Al-Khalaji should be HUNG?

I thought the correct usage was "HANGED".

[esarlls3]

From FEC Info

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
11/8/2000 $5,000.00
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
FALCON MANAGEMENT GROUP -[Contribution]
ARAB AMERICAN LEADERSHIP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Alkhafaji, Shakir
10/25/2002 $500.00
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Falcon Real Estate/Owner -[Contribution]
ARAB AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAPAC)

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
11/16/1999 $1,000.00
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322
FALCON MANAGEMENT GROUP -[Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JOHN CONYERS

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
12/16/1999 $250.00
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
-[Contribution]
ABRAHAM SENATE 2000

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
11/12/1999 $1,000.00
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
FALKAN LAND DEVELOPMENT -[Contribution]
BONIOR FOR CONGRESS

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
9/15/2000 $1,000.00
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
FALKAN LAND DEVELOPMENT -[Contribution]
BONIOR FOR CONGRESS

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
5/2/1998 $1,000.00
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322
-[Contribution]
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE

ALKHAFAJI, SHAKIR
5/2/1998 $500.00
DETROIT, MI 48322
DEVELOPER -[Contribution]
BONIOR FOR CONGRESS

That's all FEC Info has for Shakir Alkhalaji/Alkhafaji

---

VINCENT, SAMIR
3/4/2000 $1,000.00
ANNANDALE, VA 22003
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL LLC -[Contribution]
CAMPBELL FOR SENATE

That's all FEC Info has for Samir Vincent.

[mabelkitty]

Sean Penn, Bonier, and McDermott received these "coupons" for oil.

[pepsionice]

An excellent question...where did Vicent and Alkhalaji funnel their money? My bet is that someone in DC got a portion of it. I would hope its not a individual in GW's group.