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I'm standing by, Mr. Secretary General.
Posted on 02/03/2005 10:44:21 PM PST by kipita
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has ordered disciplinary proceedings against the head of the oil-for-food programme in Iraq, Benon Sevan. The move came after an independent report accused Mr Sevan of unethical conduct undermining the UN's integrity. Inquiry head Paul Volcker revealed in the initial findings by his panel that Mr Sevan repeatedly asked Iraqis to allocate oil to a particular company.
Mr Sevan denies any wrongdoing and said he was being made a scapegoat.
The defunct scheme let Iraq sell oil to buy food and medicine to ease the effects of international sanctions.
It ran from 1996 to 2003.
Among the complaints about the controversial programme are claims that Saddam Hussein might have diverted part of the money for his own uses.
'Conflict of interest'
Mr Annan said in a statement following the report that he stood by a pledge made when the panel was set up that no-one found to have broken the law would be shielded from prosecution.
He would waive a member of staff's diplomatic immunity if criminal charges were pursued against them, he added.
Mr Annan said that disciplinary measures had already been taken against Mr Sevan and Joseph Stephanides, currently head of Security Council affairs.
Measures had also been taken to remedy defects in the initial procurement process for companies to carry out banking and inspection services, he said.
Mr Volcker was appointed last April to investigate the allegations of corruption. His final report is expected in June.
'Ethically improper'
The interim report by the independent team said Mr Sevan had "seriously undermined the integrity of the United Nations" by asking for allocations of oil on behalf of the African Middle East Petroleum Company.
Iraqi officials had agreed in a bid to secure Mr Sevan's support on issues such as funding to rebuild Iraq's oil installations, the report said.
Mr Sevan's conduct was "ethically improper", Mr Volcker told reporters in New York.
He "created a grave and continuing conflict of interest", the former US Federal Reserve chairman added.
Correspondents describe Mr Sevan as a veteran UN employee who has served in many of the world's trouble spots.
The Cypriot joined the organisation in 1965 and served in a variety of posts before his appointment as Executive Director of the Iraq Programme in 1997. He has now retired.
Separate inquiries are under way in the US Senate and by the Iraqi interim government.
An additional report on the secretary general and his son will be published later.
Mr Annan's son, Kojo, worked for a firm involved in the programme.
Maybe OJ can help get to the bottom of this.
Unfortunately for Kofi, Mr. Volcker said that he and his son will be dealt with in a new, separate investigation.
He's going down.
That's a laugh. What integrety?
"...disciplinary proceedings..."
How about court proceedings and prison. Anything else is a joke.
Kofi, O.J., Kofi, O.J....
Come to think of it, I've not seem them in the same room before.
Their reactions to crime swirling around them are quite similar.
The interim report by the independent team said Mr Sevan had "seriously undermined the integrity of the United Nations" by asking for allocations of oil on behalf of the African Middle East Petroleum Company.<[/i>
How is his 'asking' an undermining of the UN integrity? He asked, they covertly took oil as a bribe. Whatever happened to someone at the UN taking blame, the buck stops here?
Iraqi officials had agreed in a bid to secure Mr Sevan's support on issues such as funding to rebuild Iraq's oil installations, the report said.
They agreed to secure Mr. Sevan's support....... What is this sentence doing here, it supports nothing on the ethically improper issue?
Mr Sevan's conduct was "ethically improper", Mr Volcker told reporters in New York.
Based on what information? Surely not on anything in that article.
Volcker. Paul Volcker? Isn't he the US rep that watched Saddam buy and store illegal weapons, and then acted like there never were any? Ignored ones that had official UN markings for being restricted weapons?
He was the Rooster guarding the hens and got caught with feathers in his mouth.
Volcker. Paul Volcker?
Paul Adolph Volcker is best-known as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve under United States Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He also served as under-secretary of the Treasury from 1969-74 and president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank from 1975 to 1979. In April 2004, the United Nations assigned him to research possible corruption in the Iraqi Oil for Food program.
Let's see the resignation, Kofi.
did kofi wear # 32 ?
This just in: Kerry promises to sign form 180...(sound of crickets...tumbleweed roliing by...)
L
Come to think of it...
You will believe that if you believe that the following would be institutionally possible:
Sen. Edward Kennedy vows action on alcohol abuse
Sen. Harry Reid vows action to eliminate random Democrat political obstruction
Rep. Nancy Pelosi vows action on Democrat political prevarication
Sen. Hillary Clinton vows to be interested only in running for a second term as New York Senator
Sen. Frank Lautenberg vows to rejoin the living
Sen. John Kerry vows to only watch FoxNews from now on
Sen. Barbara Boxer vows to make at least one sensible statement within the next decade
Sen. Joe Biden vows to quit obsessing about his hair
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about Joe Biden
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about Barack Obama
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about Patrick Kennedy
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about Elton John
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about Michael Jackson
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about that cute new page
Rep. Barney Frank vows to quit obsessing about ...
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee vows to quit obsessing about the lack of a working brain
Sen. Chuckie Shumer vows to quit obsessing about the lack of any scruples
Rep. Henry Waxman vows to quit obsessing about nosehair rights
Howard Dean vows action on eliminating random, thoughtless criticism of President Bush
Terry McAuliffe vows action on ill-gotten profits from stock inflated on fraudulent business schemes
John Kerry vows action on fraudulent claims of military honors
... fill in your favorite ... endless possibilities ...
Nigerian Internet conmen have vowed to give back millions to American Churches
The numerous dictators in Africa and the Middle East have vowed to enact reforms in the pursuit of FREEDOM for their people
The religious scholars in the Middle East have vowed to consider REFORMING Islam so that the people are free to choose their destiny
All of the corrupt businessmen in Eastern Europe and Russia have vowed to REFORM their business practices for the betterment of their citizenry
India has vowed to end its ancient Hindu caste system
China has vowed to end government corruption
And more importantly, the male dominated third governments on the planet have vowed to treat women as equals
As Louie would say, "What a beautiful world......"
Well.. they are both very popular breakfast beverages. And for a moment I thought you were refering to your morning routine. I suppose I need my caffeine and C as well.
Get outa here... LOL
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