WEASEL ALERT - UN "OIL-FOR-FOOLS" SCAM - Audits show rampant Bilking

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
United States turns up the heat on Kofi Annan and UN

CsG

Bwahahhahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahhahahahhhahhaha

What's so funny? Do you think this SCAM is funny?

CsG

That the US is putting the heat on Kofi and the UN when it was involved.

And since we allowed countries to break sanctions - we suddenly have to look the other way and can't investigate the UN scam? :roll:
What a joke. Typical UN apologists...

CsG

 

[Infohawk]

The joke is that a corrupt organization (US) was getting high and mighty by investigating the UN for corruption. It's silly. Sorry you can't see it.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
The joke is that a corrupt organization (US) was getting high and mighty by investigating the UN for corruption. It's silly. Sorry you can't see it.

No, that's just you attacking the motives😉 (seems to be your new little phrase)
I don't think this would have come out if the US wouldn't have pushed for an investigation. I also don't think it changes the fact that the investigation of the SCAM is the right thing to do - especially if people want the UN to be more than just a little debating society.

CsG

 

[Infohawk]

Nobody is disputing the investigation of the scam. It's the silly arguments that you guys are trying to spin off its existence that is at issue.

 

[Infohawk]

When is the title going to change to include the US?

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: burnedout
Iraqi People Suffered under Oil for Food Scam


Possible Saddam-Al Qaeda Link Seen in U.N. Oil-for-Food Program

Wow, so does this mean the US was hurting Iraqis and helping Al Qaeda the whole time?

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
I'm sure there are companies here in the states that had dealings with the program - but to say that it'll "embarass" the Reps at this stage is a bit premature. I'd say that ANYONE involved in the scandal will be(and should be) embarassed.

CsG

So now who has egg on their face?

 

[EagleKeeper]

UN Weasel acknowledged

Volcker did not say that [Benon] Sevan received kickbacks, but expressed concern at US$160,000 in cash which he said he received from his aunt in his native Cyprus from 1999-2003. The report questioned this ?unexplained wealth,? noting that his aunt, who recently died, was a retired Cyprus government photographer living on a modest pension.

 

[Gaard]

Sheesh, that's worse than "I found it."

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: Infohawk
The joke is that a corrupt organization (US) was getting high and mighty by investigating the UN for corruption. It's silly. Sorry you can't see it.

No, that's just you attacking the motives😉 (seems to be your new little phrase)
I don't think this would have come out if the US wouldn't have pushed for an investigation. I also don't think it changes the fact that the investigation of the SCAM is the right thing to do - especially if people want the UN to be more than just a little debating society.

CsG

I've noticed that most people here only want to criticize the US and not any other organization or country. It's quite strange and very hypocritical.

You have to expect some of the extremists to try to derail anything that you post if it isn't about the US.

 

[Gaard]

But you have to be honest, RabidMongoose, and admit that there are more than a few who like to criticize anything except the US. Would that not be equally hypocritical in your eyes?

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Gaard
But you have to be honest, RabidMongoose, and admit that there are more than a few who like to criticize anything except the US. Would that not be equally hypocritical in your eyes?

Sure.

However, I feel that the numbers for the ones that only want to criticize the US are far larger than the ones that want to criticize anyone but the US. Maybe a good number of the latter ones left this place. I also find the more extremist versions of 'my side' to be more annoying so that might contribute to my view on this.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I've noticed that most people here only want to criticize the US and not any other organization or country. It's quite strange and very hypocritical.

Yeah? Like who? Please give SPECIFIC examples of people ONLY criticizing the US across the board.

And nice try turning the hypocrisy around though. This thread was started by the types who refuse to acknowledge US wrongdoing ever. Now there is proof the US did wrong and they are silent.

 

[Steeplerot]

who gives a sh1t what everyone else is doing it's my home that matters the most. So yes I am down on US sometimes but as a citizen it is my duty to be aware of the good AND the bad.
People who buy the goverment propaganda or who just don't care are making things worse for all of us.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I've noticed that most people here only want to criticize the US and not any other organization or country. It's quite strange and very hypocritical.

Yeah? Like who? Please give SPECIFIC examples of people ONLY criticizing the US across the board.

And nice try turning the hypocrisy around though. This thread was started by the types who refuse to acknowledge US wrongdoing ever. Now there is proof the US did wrong and they are silent.

That is a lie. DealMonkey tried to spout that lie last night and was called on it.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

CsG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
I'm sure there are companies here in the states that had dealings with the program - but to say that it'll "embarass" the Reps at this stage is a bit premature. I'd say that ANYONE involved in the scandal will be(and should be) embarassed.

CsG

So now who has egg on their face?

Everyone involved and especially the UN. Why all of a sudden are you so concerned? You have played UN apologist up until now and now only seem to want to point out the US failures in policy. Why don't you atleast admit that you should have been onboard from the start with this instead of now just joining because you think the US is involved?

CsG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
UN Weasel acknowledged

Volcker did not say that [Benon] Sevan received kickbacks, but expressed concern at US$160,000 in cash which he said he received from his aunt in his native Cyprus from 1999-2003. The report questioned this ?unexplained wealth,? noting that his aunt, who recently died, was a retired Cyprus government photographer living on a modest pension.

ouch.

CsG

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I've noticed that most people here only want to criticize the US and not any other organization or country. It's quite strange and very hypocritical.

Yeah? Like who? Please give SPECIFIC examples of people ONLY criticizing the US across the board.

And nice try turning the hypocrisy around though. This thread was started by the types who refuse to acknowledge US wrongdoing ever. Now there is proof the US did wrong and they are silent.

That is a lie. DealMonkey tried to spout that lie last night and was called on it.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

CsG

Oh please Cad, you're so full of it. Why don't we hear you calling as loud for an investigation of U.S. officials who decided it was cool to circumvent sanctions against Iraq by encouraging neighboring countries to engage in side-sales of oil?

I'm perfectly willing to denounce the U.N.'s scandal, but what we've done personally to undermine the sanctions against Iraq is, on a purely monetary basis, much worse. Saddam profited more from U.S. sanctioned side-sales of oil than he ever did from kickbacks via the U.N. program.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
Why don't you atleast admit that you should have been onboard from the start with this instead of now just joining because you think the US is involved?
CsG

Just because I wasn't cackling about kofi at the beginning doesn't mean I wasn't monitoring the situation.

Now, why don't YOU at least admit that you guys have a double standard. If the UN does wrong, you get all theatrical and get out the bag pipes for the UN burial; if US does wrong, I hardly hear a peep.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
Why don't you atleast admit that you should have been onboard from the start with this instead of now just joining because you think the US is involved?
CsG

Just because I wasn't cackling about kofi at the beginning doesn't mean I wasn't monitoring the situation.

Now, why don't YOU at least admit that you guys have a double standard. If the UN does wrong, you get all theatrical and get out the bag pipes for the UN burial; if US does wrong, I hardly hear a peep.

You mean like you, DM and the rest of the UN apologists that all of a sudden made this grand entrance into this issue because now suddenly you think you have something against the US? Narry a peep before but you sure are trying to put on a show now.:roll:

Oh, and If you and DM don't want to continue to be liars - you should actually read what I've posted instead of assuming that I don't acknowledge US involvement.

***********

DM - Yeah, I'm full of it alright:roll: Except you and info are the ones continually lying about my position regarding this. But hey, continue your blind little tantrum if you wish...

CsG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Oil-for-food chief reportedly blocked UN audit

The UN oil-for-food program chief under scrutiny for alleged corruption blocked a proposed audit of his office around the same time he is accused of soliciting oil deals from Iraq, according to investigators.

A United Nations auditing team said running the $64 billion oil-for-food program was a "high-risk activity" and a priority for review. But Benon Sevan denied the internal auditors' request to hire a consultant to examine Sevan's office in May 2001, an act investigators are calling into question.

CsG

 

[SuperTool]

I love how rightwingers are so concerned about someone bilking Iraq's oil for food money, but not very concerned when US taxpayer money designated for Iraq is bilked by Bush supporters.

 

[BBond]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I love how rightwingers are so concerned about someone bilking Iraq's oil for food money, but not very concerned when US taxpayer money designated for Iraq is bilked by Bush supporters.

You Bush hater.

:roll:

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Iraq oil report faults Annan over son's work

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A key report on the Iraqi oil-for-food program next week is expected to clear U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan from personal wrongdoing but fault him for ignoring his son's work for a firm that sought a U.N. contract, says The Wall Street Journal.

Paul Volcker, the former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman appointed by Annan to investigate corruption in the program, is due to issue an interim report on Tuesday that will focus on whether the secretary-general influenced the bidding process in the U.N.-administered program, which ran from 1996 to 2003.

A big problem for the secretary-general is expected to be the actions of his son Kojo, who worked in West Africa for the Swiss firm Cotecna Inspection, S.A., which received a lucrative contract from the United Nations for Iraq in early 1999.

The Journal said on Friday that Annan would be faulted for not paying attention to conflicts of interest involving his son, Kojo, who used his father's name and position for personal gains while with Cotecna.

At the same time, the panel is expected to conclude there is no evidence Annan rigged the U.N.'s procurement system or exerted undue influence over contractors or ever sought financial benefits, said the Journal, quoting people familiar with report's conclusions.

Annan's new chief-of-staff, Mark Malloch Brown, had earlier told reporters, "We believe on Tuesday the secretary-general will be exonerated of any wrongdoing, but like you we have to wait for the report." But he said Annan's son had admitted that "he misled his father."

The younger Annan, who was a consultant for Cotecna until the end of 1998, had told his father he no longer worked for the firm in 1999. But he did not at first reveal that he continued to earn $2,500 (1, 337 pounds) a month from them from 1999 until February 2004 in return for not joining their competitors in West Africa.

A spokesman for Cotecna told Reuters on Thursday the Volcker inquiry had requested information on Kojo Annan's earnings and they had hired an auditor to trace all payments made to him.

Under the oil-for-food program, which handled some $67 billion, Iraq was allowed to sell oil to buy civilian goods in order to ease the impact of 1990 sanctions on ordinary Iraqis.

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's government siphoned nearly $2 billion in kickbacks from companies conducting business under the program, according to a key U.S. report.

Nope, not going away- nor forgotten😉

CsG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

UN backtracks on oil-for-food legal fees

The United Nations backtracked on Monday over the decision to pay the legal fees for Benon Sevan, a former top official who is under investigation over his running of the oil-for-food program for Iraq.

The revelation last week that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had personally authorised the United Nations to pay his fees set off a firestorm of controversy and drew angry criticism from Iraqi diplomats.

"It has been decided that it is not appropriate to reimburse Mr Benon Sevan's legal bills for his appearances before the Volcker commission," spokesman Fred Eckhard said, referring to the panel of inquiry.

Last month the panel, headed by former US Federal Reserve bank chief Paul Volcker, announced that Mr Sevan had received oil allocations from the Iraq regime of Saddam Hussein and steered them to a friend's company.

The panel said his behaviour was unethical, but stopped short of saying he had taken bribes, while cautioning that its investigation would continue.

Doh! 😉

CsG