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Former oil-for-food chief quits amid scandal
CNN ^ | August 7, 2005. | CNN

Posted on 08/07/2005 5:15:13 PM PDT by minus_273

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The former director of the U.N. oil-for-food program resigned Sunday, denying wrongdoing and blasting the organization a day before he is to be accused of profiting from illegal deals.

Benon Sevan resigned from the United Nations in a letter to Kofi Annan, accusing the secretary-general of "sacrificing" him for political expediency.

A spokesman for the U.N.-appointed Independent Inquiry Committee investigating the program told CNN last week that the committee's latest report on the topic, to be issued Monday, would address allegations against Sevan.

Sevan's lawyer, Eric Lewis, said Thursday that he had been provided the findings in advance, and -- in a written statement -- vehemently denied any wrongdoing by his client. (Full story)

In the career diplomat's three-page letter to Annan, released by Lewis' office, Sevan called his management of the program "transparent."

He said he was proud of what he and his staff accomplished and dismayed at the lack of support from the United Nations. Sevan, 67, noted that he has worked with Annan for nearly 40 years on various projects.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: benonsevan; iraq; oilforfood; resignation; saddam; sevan; un; wot
revenge is a dish best served cold - an old klingon proverb
1 posted on 08/07/2005 5:15:14 PM PDT by minus_273
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To: minus_273

Wow. Good news. And from CNN no less. Have they covered this on TV yet?


2 posted on 08/07/2005 5:17:03 PM PDT by pollyannaish
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To: minus_273
Sevan called his management of the program "transparent."

transparently corrupt that is

3 posted on 08/07/2005 5:17:58 PM PDT by ghost of nixon
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To: pollyannaish

no clue. but it is on their front page. There is a free video link, so i think they have shown it on tv. It's a decent report that talks about the UN's damaged image.


4 posted on 08/07/2005 5:18:15 PM PDT by minus_273
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To: minus_273
HA! They are shaking the UN tree and the rotten are starting to fall!
5 posted on 08/07/2005 5:18:47 PM PDT by Quinotto (On matters of style swim with the current,on matters of principle stand like a rock-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: minus_273
Oil-for-food probe expected to accuse UN director
6 posted on 08/07/2005 5:20:53 PM PDT by dila813
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To: minus_273

Big John walks in the front, door Sevan walks out the rear.


7 posted on 08/07/2005 5:26:49 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: minus_273

Thanks. (smiles sheepishly) I probably should have followed the link before I asked.


8 posted on 08/07/2005 5:28:52 PM PDT by pollyannaish
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To: minus_273

Buh bye!


9 posted on 08/07/2005 5:39:11 PM PDT by OldFriend (MERCY TO THE GUILTY IS CRUELTY TO THE INNOCENT ~ Adam Smith)
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To: OldFriend

you forgot: " you are the weakest link"


10 posted on 08/07/2005 5:48:03 PM PDT by minus_273
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To: minus_273

HA ha...
11 posted on 08/07/2005 5:50:05 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: All
We need a Maximum John Sirica the judge that quickly got to the Watergate break-in crew. Well, all but two succumbed, I believe.

At the prospect of facing Maximum John it was easy to convince most of them to tell all. The rest is history.

Good bye, Kofi?

12 posted on 08/07/2005 5:59:24 PM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (Hillary is the she in shenanigans.)
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To: minus_273
Lewis said he couldn't address the status of Sevan's diplomatic immunity.

I believe he lost the immunity once he's not in UN payroll anymore. He was paid US$1 so that he could be UN employee that enjoyed the immunity.

13 posted on 08/07/2005 8:03:27 PM PDT by paudio (Four More Years..... Let's Use Them Wisely...)
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