Oil-for-Food: Iraqis "Out" Benon Sevan and Volcker Wants to Question Vincent (UPDATE: Kojo Annan Implicated)
By Andrew Cochran
The Financial Times has just reported that Iraqi officials have told Paul Volcker's U.N. inquiry staff that Benon Sevan, who ran the program, personally intervened to steer lucrative oil contracts to Africa Middle East Petroleum (AMEP), a Swiss-based oil trading company. Documents from Iraq's state oil marketing organisation, Somo, names AMEP as "the company that Mr Sevan cited" to the Iraqi oil minister after Mr. Sevan visited Baghdad in the summer of 1998, and Sevan's name appears thereafter in Somo documents, often next to that of AMEP. Have to wonder who is releasing this; the Volcker report is supposed to be released this week. Also reported separately: Volcker wants to question Samir Vincent, who pleaded guilty to 4 counts in NYC and agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department, but Volcker and DOJ can't agree on a plan of cooperation. Interesting that Volcker went public with this - is he setting us up for a weak report and excuses? UPDATE: Kofi Annan's son Kojo admits he was involved, despite a December denial.
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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Oil-for-Food: Iraqis "Out" Benon Sevan and Volcker Wants to Question Vincent (UPDATE: Kojo Annan Implicated):
» Oil For Food scam coming apart from Media Lies
The Counterterrorism Blog links to a Financial Times story that reveals that Benon Saven, who ran the Oil For Food program personally directed the scam, something he has repeatedly denied.
The Financial Times has just reported that Iraqi officials h... [Read More]
» Oil For Food scam coming apart from Media Lies
The Counterterrorism Blog links to a Financial Times story that reveals that Benon Saven, who ran the Oil For Food program personally directed the scam, something he has repeatedly denied.
The Financial Times has just reported that Iraqi officials h... [Read More]
» The Unraveling Continues from GeoPoliticalReview
Benon Sevan, the official previously in charge of the now defunct U.N. Oil for Food program, has from the beginning been at the center of attention surrounding the corrupt program. Information in the Financial Times today indicates that new evidence... [Read More]
