Posted on 09/09/2005 9:28:40 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Volcker's report: Corruption incarnate
Saturday, September 10, 2005
The latest update on the U.N.'s black-as-pitch oil-for-food program offers a concise assessment that's applicable to the world body as a whole: "illicit, unethical and corrupt."
And though the Independent Inquiry Committee headed by Paul Volcker recommends "stronger executive leadership" and "more reliable controls" at Turtle Bay, it only wrist-slaps Kofi Annan for failing to adequately monitor the $64 billion program.
Instead, the committee pats the secretary-general on the head for being "widely respected" as the chief diplomatic and political agent of the United Nations.
Never mind Mr. Annan's changing accounts of what he knew of his son Kojo's dubious business dealings in Iraq. Or, for that matter, the elephant in the room: namely, the multimillion-dollar U.N. contract for inspections awarded to Kojo's former employer.
So, after a year of inquiry the panel's multimillion-dollar probe reveals that the oil-for-food program wasn't a shining example of U.N. oversight. And while Executive Director Benon Sevan and another top official took the fall, Annan took bows over his "vindication."
The report makes clear that the United Nations was ill-prepared to handle the far-ranging program. That assessment should appear as a Post-it note on each handout at next week's historic U.N. summit.
Sadly, among the many stones left unturned.....
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
Volker says UN more corrupt then Lousiana Politics
Volker was taking so long I was getting worried the final report would not be sufficiently critical.
Hopefully this will force some reform or encourage us to rethink our relationship with the UN.
"Volker says UN more corrupt then Louisiana Politics"
You know...the UN wants a new building and the Superdome is unoccupied....
Doubtful. Like anything burecratic is takes time and repated shocks to the system to force the train onto a new track. However, it MAY give Bolton the Ammo he needs to start MOVING that way. A
UN out of New York $527,000,000
Superdome 140,000,000
UN Bureaucrats sitting in piles of refugee dung and urine-PRICELESS
LA, meet UN.
I think our politicians in LA could give the UN lessons on corruption.
Hopefully this will force some reform or encourage us to rethink our relationship with the UN.
I vote for the latter!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.