Russians used EU aid to make vodka (MONEY WELL SPENT ALERT)

The Sunday Times ^ | November 24, 2002 | Martin Jay and Charles Ratcliffe

[MadIvan]

GRAIN sent from the European Union to feed the hungry in Russia was diverted into vodka production in a multi-million-pound fraud, a Brussels audit has revealed.

The study of a £264m programme to distribute some of the EU’s food mountains among Russia’s needy also found that 600 truckloads of refrigerated beef had “disappeared” after leaving cold stores in St Petersburg. The conclusions have raised fears that millions of pounds may have ended up in the pockets of mafia bosses.

A dossier drawn up by accountancy firm HLB International coincides with the annual report of the EU Court of Auditors, which has admitted for the eighth successive year that it cannot certify that the EU’s £62 billion budget was spent properly.

HLB’s report said much of the blame lay with lax Russian controls. Some 51,000 tons of rye — more than a quarter of the total given by the EU — were used in vodka production.

A European commission spokesman conceded that “not all the food shipments went to where they were supposed to”.

Under the aid programme, some Russian traders were authorised by the EU to sell food, with a portion of the profits earmarked for a healthcare and pension fund. According to the report, the fund was left at least £10m short.

Officials said the programme, which ran in 1997 and 1998, was managed by a former Brussels administration. A senior aide to Chris Patten, the EU’s external affairs commissioner, said that one of his first moves on taking office in 1999 had been to suspend food aid to Russia.

[MadIvan]

At least the aid made Russia happier. ;) They know the routine over in Russia - they see other EU nations who get aid: get EU aid, divert it or spend it on the wrong things. Russia can hardly be blamed for following the pattern.

Nastrovye!

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[KriegerGeist]

Ought to help them out to build oil refineries to refine their oil.
Then, help them drill for more oil, then they can pump it more efficiently and "environmentally sound".
The Ruskies have a lot of timber and precious metals we could help them mine more efficiently.

They don't have all the restrictions throttling them like we do.
Anything to boost their economy, in my opinion, will alay their fears of the upcoming war with Iraq. It could also, get them away from the arms dealing racket...if but a little.

[sauropod]

The better to embalm Lenin with, wouldn't you think?

[LibKill]

Vodka is high in calories, no?

[LibWhacker]

Can't blame 'em. Have you ever tossed back a shot of 60^o-below-zero premium vodka? I'm itchin' to do it. Gotta be one of life's rare pleasures.

[gcruse]

Hell, if catsup is an American vegetable, vodka is Russian meat.

[Solamente]

HA HA!

[JohnnyRidden]

LOL! At least millions of Russians will be happy now. I'd rather see EU foerign aid be spent on vodka then seeing it end up in the hands of marxist dictators.

[TopQuark]

This remind me of the Russian way to do business. It proceeds in steps: first, you steal form the train depot a freight-car load of vodka; next, you sell it to your friends and neighbors; and then you drink away the money.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Some 51,000 tons of rye — more than a quarter of the total given by the EU — were used in vodka production.

If they would let the product age in wood barrels they would have something much better than vodka. But then again, those eastern Europeans never were very skilled in art of brewing and distilling.

[Mike Darancette]

I thought real vodka was made from potatoes?

[Welsh Rabbit]

Traditionally, it is made from rye, but in large scale production, potatoes are often used, as well as corn and other grain.

[LibKill]

Hell, if catsup is an American vegetable, vodka is Russian meat.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Stop! You're killing me with laughter!

"It's funny because it's true."

"Fat Tony" The Simpsons

[Yardstick]

LOL Those crazy Russians love their vodka!

[struwwelpeter]

Na Zdorov'e!

(HA 3DOPOBbE!)