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September 20, 2004
UN "Oil for Food Scandal" Fraud
Fox News had a special presentation on the UN "Oil for Food" scandal Sunday night. If you missed it you'll want to read up on it. However, I have to warn you, it will set your teeth on edge.
The scam is too complicated for me to go into here, as I simply do not have the time to spell it all out. Other bloggers have written extensively on it so I urge you to make use of the links on this page.
Fox News has the first part in a series of articles on the scandal on their web site here. The Heritage Foundation has some excellent articles on it also, see here and here.
When Senator John McCain said at the Republican National Convention that the "status quo" with regards to the sanctions placed against Iraq after the 1991 Gulf War were falling apart, he wasn't kidding. The "Oil for Food" scandal is just one more example of how that was so. As he said, the sanctions were falling apart, and don't let anyone tell you differently.
Update
As a result of my post I received a new paper from the Heritage Foundation on the scandal. It was just published today so contains the most up-to-date information available.
The paper centers on whether the commission headed by Paul Volker to investigate the scandal will do its job properlyUnfortunately, the answer seems to be no, according the the study by the Heritage Foundation.
The commission, or Independent Inquiry Committee into the U.N. Oil-for-Food Program,” as it is officially called, is headed by Paul Volker, onetime Federal Reserve Chairman.
Money quote from the Heritage Foundation Report:
The Volcker Commission’s refusal to share documentation with congressional investigators demonstrates not only breathtaking arrogance but also complete disrespect for Congress and the American public that helps fund the Commission through the United Nations. If it is to be treated seriously and respected as something other than an elaborate but costly whitewash exercise, the Commission will need to implement major changes, both in its operations and in its approach. Above all, transparency and accountability will be needed if the Independent Commission is to avoid becoming yet another example of mutual back scratching at the U.N.
Ouch
Posted by Tom at September 20, 2004 8:12 AM
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