U.N. BIGS 'SEAL' THE OIL DEALS

New York Post ^ | 5/04/04 | NILES LATHEM

[kattracks]

May 4, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - The United Nations yesterday threw up a stone wall in the oil-for-food scandal, insisting that contracts between the world body and private companies should not be turned over to investigators. In a defiant move that has infuriated probers, Secretary-General Kofi Annan threw his support behind a letter from former oil-for-food head Benon Sevan to officials of a Dutch company that inspected Iraqi oil shipments. The letter directed the company not to hand over documents to congressional committees and other "governmental authorities."

[hellinahandcart]

The only problem is the un is not on U.S. property, daddy rokefeller gave the un that plot of land and they own it.

Why should the UN be immune from eminent domain if no one else in America is?

[Timeout]

Only one thing will change the direction of this investigation: Paul Volker going public.

Have you seen his face on TV? Has he said anything publicly? Has he hired a team of investigators? Who's paying for that? Lots of questions.

My sense is that HE WILL GO PUBLIC, when he's ready with the team to back him up. Right now, Kofi Annan is the face of this story. We'll know the tables have turned if and when Volker pushes Kofi aside and takes control of the news cycle.

I'd give Volker till the end of May to set his stage...any longer and it will be too late.

[Semper Paratus]

US media could hardly care. They're all chasing Iraq prisoner abuse stories.

[StriperSniper]

The only problem is the un is not on U.S. property, daddy rokefeller gave the un that plot of land and they own it.

Fine, then declare war on the UN and bomb the living s**t out of the building. At the least, we have six or seven service people who could be put in charge of the 'investigation'. ;-)

[OldFriend]

The only reason Kofi ever agreed to the investigation was because he knew the truth would be 'disappeared'.

[John Lenin]

Turn the whole thing over to the new Iraqi government. Afterall, it was their children who were staving to death and of course the US and Britts got all the blame. I remember Blozo even saying the sanctions were hurting the Iraqi people.

[OXENinFLA]

If they(the UN) own that land then why are WE(the us tax payers) paying for a renovation?

[Brett66]

Oh my, this may be too embarrassing for Kofi to remain as the head crook at the UN. Who will they get to replace him?They need a leader that matches their character. I don't think Saddam Hussein is doing anything right now....

[StriperSniper]

Other than the usual leftist leeching?

Good question.

[CougarGA7]

What did Bill Richardson know and when did he know it?

[Da Mav]

Good idea re: Congressional hearings
Subpoena lots of Clintonistas and NGO types, put the left on the defensive for a change. Help the non-politicals learn about what they are supporting when they think of the UN as Trick or Treat for Unicef.

[Prince Charles]

The United Nations yesterday threw up a stone wall in the oil-for-food scandal, insisting that contracts between the world body and private companies should not be turned over to investigators. In a defiant move that has infuriated probers, Secretary-General Kofi Annan threw his support behind a letter from former oil-for-food head Benon Sevan to officials of a Dutch company that inspected Iraqi oil shipments. The letter directed the company not to hand over documents to congressional committees and other "governmental authorities."

That's it! Not one more dime of US tax dollars should be spent on this ossified, entrenched, cesspool of corruption!

[b4its2late]

"U.N. officials are talking about transparency in this investigation and yet they appear to be thwarting efforts to get the relevant documents. What does that say?"

It probably means that it goes deeper than we can even imagine.....

[txzman]

"I wish the GOP Congressional leadership would launch hearings into the matter."

<akes ya wonder does it not, when the GOP is supposedly the party in the majority. And the Oil-for-Food program did more to harm our security than anything the Bush Administration did or did not do.

[John Lenin]

It's the mentality of anyone who works for the UN, diplomatic immunity. We should have expected this from the beginning and thats why the investigation should be done by non-UN members.

[cyncooper]

a letter from former oil-for-food head Benon Sevan to officials of a Dutch company that inspected Iraqi oil shipments. The letter directed the company not to hand over documents to congressional committees and other "governmental authorities."

Really!

Annan appeared taken by surprise when he was confronted with the letter on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday and said he did not see why Sevan "was involved in sending a message like this."

But yesterday, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Annan, told The Post that the letter was written by another official on Sevan's stationery and that the official was following advice of U.N. lawyers.

I refused to watch MTP last Sunday since I knew Annan and Joe Wilson were the guests. Did anybody catch Timmy's demeanor? Was he jovial and trusting of Kofi when he said this? I hope Russert has the decency to feel stupid today. But I doubt it.

[ChefKeith]

I by no means condone this fact, just passing it on FYI style.

I would voice My personal opinion of what should happen with the un but that would just have the fedscum knocking on My door (if You get My drift)

[ChefKeith]

Works for Me.

Thanks for that grafic again I had lost that one.

Have not seen You on the NASCAR threads lately(or am I just blind?)

[hoosiermama]

What does that say?" the investigator added.

It says that there are crooks in high places.....Following the money may be tougher without cooperation, but it CAN be done.

[StriperSniper]

No, you're not blind, I've been scarce. Now that the Spring thaw has finally arrived, I tend to get out on Sundays lots more. :)