Posted on 05/21/2005 2:14:31 PM PDT by quidnunc
It is likely to become the largest bribery and embezzlement scandal in world history.
But judging from the coverage given to it in the mainstream media and the insistence by Paul Martin‘s Liberals that the investigation should not resonate, chances are you are in the dark as to what this multi-billion dollar fiasco is all about.
So far, says a U.S. Senate investigation — one of five under way across the globe — former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is alleged to have skimmed US$21.3 billion (C$27 billion) from a UN humanitarian-aid program — which allowed Iraq to sell oil while it was under sanctions between 1996 and 2003.
Connected to this massive corruption is Canadian serial entrepreneur Maurice Strong, our prime minister‘s key advisor since the 1960s.
Strong, who has stepped aside pending the investigations broke United Nations rules by putting his stepdaughter on his diplomatic payroll, the UN says. She has also quit.
In addition Strong was linked to a South Korean lobbyist who is suspected of bribing UN officials with Iraqi money.
That lobbyist is South Korean businessman Tongsun Park who invested money in Cordex Petroleum, a Calgary oil company that was run by Strong‘s son Frederick.
Cordex is partly owned by Paul Martin‘s family company, The Canada Steamship Lines Group Inc. (Montreal, Canada).
As the investigation grows, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, a huge Martin fan, is also trying hard to stop the fingers pointing directly at him.
His son Benon Sevan, was in charge of the UN Oil for Food program, the humanitarian effort at the scandal‘s center and there are allegations that he was on the take.
Canadians known for their international humanitarian efforts are strangely silent as this corruption scandal unfolds.
-snip-
Finally.
Earlier this week he dodged a no confidence vote, but just barely. Martin has been buying Province after Province with special budget deals that are only good if his government stays in power and the Budget passes.
Canadians, should now have a good idea of just how corrupt their Liberal Party (coalition) government really is.
Well, maybe this has legs in the Canadian media but I will believe it when I see it. I tell you the scandal I'm waiting for - evidence that virtually all the Canadian media is on the take from the Liberal party. Trouble is, who would report it? To bad that the Canadian bloggers haven't yet begun to wield the influence that they obviously have gained in the States.
As for who would report it, I have three words: The New Media :)
-"No Blood for Oil"- Kojo & Kofi: Unbelievable U.N. stories--
-ADSCAM -- Canada's Corruption Scandal Breaks Wide Open--
-MP George Galloway- voice cries "peace," hand in Saddam's till...--
I don't think Canadians really care that much. Even if they do, they won't do anything, because to get up off their collective kiesters and do something about a problem would make them too much like Americans. Can't have that.
(steely)
This is the country that travels around the world, observing other countries' elections, always pontificating, about how great the Canadian system works...
BTTT
"I don't think Canadians really care that much...."
This is the true test of democracy.....if the liberals can take taxpayers money and sucessfully bribe the electorate to ignore the sponsorship, and the Oil-for-food scandals, then a democracy is doomed (at least in Canada).
It may well be that Canadians just want their "programs" and don't care who gives it to them or if they are corrupt.
NO! I don't believe it! I'm shock I tell you. Say it isn't so.
"Finally."
Martin is bad, but I'm more interested in taking down Maurice Strong. He is a global puppeteer and as such, he is far more dangerous.
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