seruriermarshal
03-19-2004, 10:06 PM
Annan: U.N.-Iraq Oil-For-Food Faces Probe
Saturday March 20, 2004 2:16 AM
By BARBARA BORST
Associated Press Writer
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan sought Security Council approval Friday for an independent investigation into alleged corruption in the Iraq oil-for-food program.
Annan announced his decision to expand a current internal U.N. probe Friday night in a letter sent to the Security Council.
The U.N. chief said he wants ``an independent, high-level inquiry to investigate the allegations relating to the administration and management of the program, including allegations of fraud and corruption.''
Annan said he would send a further letter later with more detailed information on how such an inquiry would be organized.
Earlier Friday, Annan told journalists that such an investitgation was needed into allegations that U.N. staff may have reaped millions of dollars from the oil-for-food program that helped Iraqis cope with U.N. sanctions.
Annan told journalists that he has been talking with Security Council members about the scope of the investigation and the need for international cooperation to make it effective.
``I think we need to have an independent investigation, an investigation that can be as broad as possible to look into all these allegations which have been made and get to the bottom of this because I don't think we need to have our reputation impugned,'' he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3881908,00.html
Saturday March 20, 2004 2:16 AM
By BARBARA BORST
Associated Press Writer
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan sought Security Council approval Friday for an independent investigation into alleged corruption in the Iraq oil-for-food program.
Annan announced his decision to expand a current internal U.N. probe Friday night in a letter sent to the Security Council.
The U.N. chief said he wants ``an independent, high-level inquiry to investigate the allegations relating to the administration and management of the program, including allegations of fraud and corruption.''
Annan said he would send a further letter later with more detailed information on how such an inquiry would be organized.
Earlier Friday, Annan told journalists that such an investitgation was needed into allegations that U.N. staff may have reaped millions of dollars from the oil-for-food program that helped Iraqis cope with U.N. sanctions.
Annan told journalists that he has been talking with Security Council members about the scope of the investigation and the need for international cooperation to make it effective.
``I think we need to have an independent investigation, an investigation that can be as broad as possible to look into all these allegations which have been made and get to the bottom of this because I don't think we need to have our reputation impugned,'' he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3881908,00.html