Posted on 11/21/2004 9:44:46 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
The United Nations knew that Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was stealing from the oil-for-food program - and, by extension, starving his own people - but did little to stop it, according to a special report by the BBC at the weekend.
After a six-month investigation, the BBC said it had evidence that Saddam took billions from the oil-for-food program, and that "these abuses were widely known about at the time". The BBC said there was evidence that Saddam demanded a kickback from companies that wanted to do business with Iraq under the oil-for-food program.
Since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, evidence has emerged that Saddam found many ways to skim billions from the program. Some of that money allegedly went to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. It is also alleged that Saddam paid foreign journalists and sympathetic foreign officials, as a way of getting them to campaign to get the sanctions lifted. Around 270 people are alleged to have received vouchers to sell oil for millions of dollars in profit.
Among the people accused of taking these bribes are the former president of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, and, most explosively, the head of the UN's oil-for-food program Benon Sevan.
(Excerpt) Read more at theage.com.au ...
"Clinton pardoned in his last days"
Maybe that is why Clinton had his heart attack. He found out he would never get to cash in HIS oil vouchers.
Recall that CNN had to issue an apology for the way their Baghdad bureau operated in pre-war Iraq. I would not be surprised if CNN reporters and producers wind op on the oil-for-food payment list.
Saying the UN knew says that the US Department of State knew, Maddie Albright and by extension the Clintons and Congress.
The whole world should be so tick at OBL for the 9/11 attacks cause it awoke a sleeping giant.
they're like Kerry, they were for the UN before they were against it
Note to the Beeb: Well, DUH! There were reports in the media as early as 1999. Where the heck were you?
I wonder if these UN clowns can be trusted with the millions now being donated to help the tsunarmi victims.
Will it be a case of the UN taking 15 or 20% off the top?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.