Very U.N.-Attractive - A leaked audit gives hints of the Oil-for-Food corruption.

Opinion Journal ^ | May 19, 2004 | Claudia Rosett

[Shermy]

In the scandal over the U.N. Oil-for-Food program in Iraq, Kofi Annan's main line of defense has been that he didn't know. Perhaps he should take a closer look at internal U.N. Oil-for-Food audit reports, more than 50 in all, produced by his own Office of Internal Oversight Services--the same reports he's declined to share with the Security Council, or release to Congress. One of these reports has now leaked. It concerns the U.N. Secretariat's mishandling of the hiring of inspectors to authenticate the contents of relief shipments into sanctions-bound Iraq. (Obtained by a journalist specializing in the mining industry, Timothy Wood, a copy of this report can be found at www.mineweb.com.)

Reflecting the findings of a U.N. internal audit conducted during the sixth year of the seven-year Oil-for-Food program, the report focuses on one contractor hired directly by the U.N. Secretariat: Swiss-based Cotecna Inspection SA. This is the same company that, while bidding against several rivals for its initial Oil-for-Food contract in 1998, had Mr. Annan's son, Kojo, on its payroll as a consultant. Both Mr. Annan and Cotecna's CEO, Robert Massey, have insisted that the contract was strictly in accordance with U.N. rules.

Although this report doesn't mention Kojo, it does go on for 20 pages about inadequacies and violations in the U.N.'s handling of the Cotecna contract. The report explains that "the Contract had been amended prior to its commencement, which was inappropriate" and recounts that within four days of Cotecna signing its initial lowball contract for $4.87 million, both Oil-for-Food and the U.N. Procurement Division had authorized "additional costs" totaling $356,000 worth of equipment. ... ...

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[lightning]

There continues to be a media deafness about this acandal.

[bray]

Of course PravdABDNC will not report this. It doesn't fit their 'America Bad-UN Good' formula. Let alone they would have to admit W was right about this International Debating Society.

Pray for W and The Truth

[Anti-Bubba182]

Great post! The information is damning. The leak may be one of the few bits of evidence that comes out with all the diplomatic immunity and CYA at the UN. There really was no way to compel disclosure with these people.

Too bad with prevailing media culture that this won't get the play it deserves. Paul Volker is presiding over an investigation that can only be a whitewash. He has no power to subpoena or prosecute those guilty and neither does the UN.

Can anyone imagine France going along with a sanction or any country involved sanction their diplomats or companies involved?