U.N. official vows to 'talk plenty' on scam

Washington Times ^ | 5/09/04 | Damien McElroy and Charles Laurence, LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

[kattracks]

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Benon Sevan, the official at the center of the United Nations' oil-for-food scandal, has broken his silence after an independent inquiry was ordered into charges of multibillion-dollar corruption relating to the program.

Tracked down to a five-star hotel in his native Cyprus, Mr. Sevan said he was being unfairly persecuted and vowed to "talk plenty" once the inquiry panel reports back to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

[kattracks]

Documents "missing", Kofi denying information to investigators, witness tampering, and NOW Sevan is willing to talk.

[Wolfie]

Even as we speak, some low-level U.N. toadies are being set up to take the fall. I wonder if they even know its coming.

[anniegetyourgun]

What no pictures of U.N. scams taking place? Then I guess we'll never see an apology....or the truth....

[blackdog]

Hard to set up some toadie unless toadie has money.......

One thing we forget it that in most countries around the globe, this is standard stuff. It's what they do. It's the way business gets done. Why would the crooks at the UN operate any differently?

[Unicorn]

Big time crock of crap.

[Thom Pain]

Get us OUT OF THERE! What we waste on the UN could help fund the war against terrorism could it not? And, by the way, help to de-fund one of terrorism's sponsors.

[kattracks]

What no pictures of U.N. scams taking place? Then I guess we'll never see an apology....or the truth....

This UN scandal caused the hardship of millions of Iraqis, not to mention the deaths that may have occured because of the crimes committed.

One would think that this would cause an uproar among the Democrats and the media, who are so very "concerned" with the welfare of the Iraqi people.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

There are pictures and videos. Remember that group called Voices in the wilderness or something like that who were bringing light to the story about how our embargo is killing millions of Iraqi children because they are not getting the medicines and food? They defied our travel restriction to Iraq to bring the message to the American people that our embargo is killing the children and of course Sadam welcomed this group in. There are plenty of videos and pictures. This could turn around and bite the U.N. and their lefy co-horts in the arse.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think you're on to something.

[Cobra64]

Documents "missing", Kofi denying information to investigators, witness tampering, and NOW Sevan is willing to talk.

Sounds like Kofi-gate to me.

[G.Mason]

"One would think that this would cause an uproar among the Democrats and the media, who are so very "concerned" with the welfare of the Iraqi people."

With all due respect ... Surely you jest.

[kattracks]

Pure sarcasm.

[sergeantdave]

Yep, you hit the target - where's the outrage from the rats?

The left wingers were screaming that America was killing Iraqi children with sanctions. All along, it was the left wingers causing the deaths of Iraqi children by withholding food and medicine through the money they siphoned via the bribes. Will we see the network news crying about how these bribes impacted Iraqis? Not a chance. They'll crawl back in their ratholes and be quiet until they can manufacture another phoney crisis to blame on someone else.

[Condor51]

of the poster was jesting... and don't call him Shirley LOL

couldn't pass that one up :-)

[blackdog]

Really, in many parts of the world, especially the developing parts, it's expected to get a "cut/fee" for any role you may play in the movement, facilitation, or transportation of items of value or commerce. Why do you think so many small nations within the UN get such a poweful say? Just look at what a 2% cut of Iraqi oil money bought it's regime?

Africa's mineral rights(including uranium), nations with port access, oil rich nations, timber rich nations, coal, and even water rich nations, who may be third world and poor, still have some mighty powerful nations like France, Germany, Spain, etc...doing their bidding because the money at stake is huge. The UN serves as a clearing house for this corrupt practice, as the facilitators of such practices enjoying diplomatic immunity(comes for a little a $1 if I read correctly).

[G.Mason]

"the poster was jesting... and don't call him Shirley LOL"

"couldn't pass that one up :-)"

Out of deference to Kat, I did not call him "Shirley".

It's ironic you say that, because normally that's exactly how I phrase it.

Shirley you jest. ;)

[JOE6PAK]

"The letters were unearthed by the U.S. Congress after witnesses to its own inquiry into the oil-for-food debacle suddenly fell silent".

I wonder why? Could some familiar names have shown up on some letters?

[kattracks]

Out of deference to Kat, I did not call him "Shirley".

SHE wouldn't have minded the joke. :o)

[G.Mason]

"Pure sarcasm."

I knew that.

It's like when you hear the worn out phrase "...if a Republican did that, said that, thought that ... " ;)

[G.Mason]

'SHE wouldn't have minded the joke. :o)"

Oops! My bad.

And I had to go and do it (again) , and on Mothers Day, no less!

Sorry Kat.