Saddam stole billions with U.N. knowledge - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sixate · 05-21-2003, 12:00 PM

LINKY

Quote:

U.N. allowed Saddam to steal billions
Report says officials aware of graft from humanitarian program

Saddam Hussein expanded his multi-billion dollar fortune by skimming bribes and kickbacks from the United Nations' Oil-for-Food Program as U.N. officials looked the other way, according to an ABC News investigation.

The deposed Iraqi dictator took as much as $3 billion from a program intended to provide food and medication to his people after the U.N. sanctioned oil sales in response to Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

"Everybody knew it, and those who were in a position to do something about it were not doing anything," Benon Sevan, the executive director of the Office of Iraq Program, told ABC News.

Sevan insisted, however, he had no power to stop the graft.

The U.N. program stipulated all funds from the sale of oil must go into U.N. bank accounts in New York to buy food and humanitarian supplies. However, British businessman Swara Khadir told ABC News paying bribes was the only way his company could do business with Iraq.

"And because it was Iraqi oil we were talking about, it was bribing top Saddam officials," he said, noting he refused to go along with the bribes.

"They made no show of concealing it," he said, "because the U.N. was just turning a blind eye to it."

ABC said the U.N. Security Council failed to act on a complaint from a Russian oil dealer who said Saddam's son Odai took a $60,000 bribe without coming through with the oil contracts.

"Of course it troubled me," Sevan told ABC. "What do you think, I'm what you call a 'dodo,' sitting here what do you call, cold-blooded? Of course it bothers me."

Despite intense scrutiny, U.N. officials said, the Security Council allowed Iraq rather than U.N. administrators to choose which companies participated in the program.

Human rights investigator John Fawcett claimed many of these companies had suspect backgrounds, including everyone "from Mafia to terrorists to money launderers to anybody that wanted to make a quick buck."

Sevan conceded it was possible fraudulent companies could acquire approval but argued, "I am not an FBI; I'm not an investigation office."

Two of the companies apparently amounted to post office boxes in the tiny European country of Liechtenstein.

Liquor Dealer · 05-21-2003, 12:08 PM

For some reason nothing in this surprises me one iota. I think the UN is just as crooked as was the Iraqi government. So what do we do to stop it? How do you deal with an organization that is rotten to the core yet people think it's water walking talents have yet to be tested? If I might make a suggestion - We should get out - associating with known criminals is a crime.

Kadath · 05-21-2003, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liquor Dealer
If I might make a suggestion - We should get out - associating with known criminals is a crime.

Like China...
I don't know, lately. It seems with the politics board that I just keep seeing the same thing over and over again. People take the simplistic approach to a problem, making blanket statements, without considering the implications. And I'm not trying to pick fights, just point out what's going on, but I know no one's listening.

Liquor Dealer · 05-21-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
Like China...
I don't know, lately. It seems with the politics board that I just keep seeing the same thing over and over again. People take the simplistic approach to a problem, making blanket statements, without considering the implications. And I'm not trying to pick fights, just point out what's going on, but I know no one's listening.

So do you you have solution? Anything to add? Or is this just a blanket statement?

crewsor · 05-21-2003, 01:22 PM

Of course he did ( steal billions). I think everyone knew it. As far as the U.N. I'm embarrassed to say U.S. is a member. I think we should scrap it and start a much more exclusive organization. Some countries just have no right, based on their own actions, to belong to an organization that decides policy affecting events throughout the world.

seretogis · 05-21-2003, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liquor Dealer
For some reason nothing in this surprises me one iota. I think the UN is just as crooked as was the Iraqi government. So what do we do to stop it? How do you deal with an organization that is rotten to the core yet people think it's water walking talents have yet to be tested? If I might make a suggestion - We should get out - associating with known criminals is a crime.

I agree. The UN is broken and it has been proved time and time again. We should get out completely and let the self-righteous Euros pay the bills for a while. The last thing that we need is more twisted bureaucratic nonsense from a corrupt organization like the UN.

All forms of government that involve human decision are fundamentally flawed. I say we let the machines take over willingly.

Kadath · 05-21-2003, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liquor Dealer
So do you you have solution? Anything to add? Or is this just a blanket statement?

I knew about the problems with the "oil for food" program back in the winter, when I found an article from the BBC about it. The idea that this is the fault of "the UN," as if they were some shadowy mysterious organization is ludicrous. We were a driving force behind the UN until GW started to steer us away. WE are the criminals here, as much as any other member. Further, given the precedent set by our actions toward Iraq and its oil, I don't doubt we would gladly pay the next leader of Iraq, whoever that might be, for fat oil contracts and ignore what he chooses to do with that money. We care about ourselves first and others second.
Regardless, the original thrust of my post was this. People choose to ignore the things that are inconvenient or detrimental to their cause/point, even going so far as to accuse others of fault X, while those they support are just as guilty of fault X.

krwlz · 05-21-2003, 07:37 PM

I am going to make a blanket statement: Power Corrupts!! Get used to it, climb the ladder high enough, and you will find scandles, and dishonesties...some are simply better at hiding it. And some do not abuse power as much or in as socialy unacceptable ways as others.

gibber71 · 05-21-2003, 08:16 PM

The UN turning a blind eye to Saddam's corruption is nothing compared to how they have completely turned their back on war crimes and crimes against humanity that have been committed and continue to as we speak.

Maybe we should get that NY Times reporter to make up a story about that. He probably wouldn't even come close to scratching the surface. That's how disfunctional the UN is.

SLM3 · 05-21-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
I knew about the problems with the "oil for food" program back in the winter, when I found an article from the BBC about it. The idea that this is the fault of "the UN," as if they were some shadowy mysterious organization is ludicrous. We were a driving force behind the UN until GW started to steer us away. WE are the criminals here, as much as any other member. Further, given the precedent set by our actions toward Iraq and its oil, I don't doubt we would gladly pay the next leader of Iraq, whoever that might be, for fat oil contracts and ignore what he chooses to do with that money. We care about ourselves first and others second.
Regardless, the original thrust of my post was this. People choose to ignore the things that are inconvenient or detrimental to their cause/point, even going so far as to accuse others of fault X, while those they support are just as guilty of fault X.

Very well put, Kadath.

Charlatan · 05-23-2003, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seretogis
We should get out completely and let the self-righteous Euros pay the bills for a while. The last thing that we need is more twisted bureaucratic

I believe it is the US and not Europe that is billions of dollars behind paying their UN dues...

I say kick the deadbeat American's out until they can afford the fees...

Charlatan · 05-23-2003, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gibber71
The UN turning a blind eye to Saddam's corruption is nothing compared to how they have completely turned their back on war crimes and crimes against humanity that have been committed and continue to as we speak.

Again, as Kadath has pointed out, this is frequently, if not always, because the US has used its veto power to steer the UN away from these issues... If the UN were to seek out every perpetrator of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" there would be a backlog of America leaders on the docket...

It is also the reason why the US will not sign on with the world court. They will only sign on if they are exempt from being percecuted (ie Justice our way or no way)

reconmike · 05-23-2003, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charlatan
I believe it is the US and not Europe that is billions of dollars behind paying their UN dues...

I say kick the deadbeat American's out until they can afford the fees...

This is an awesome idea, no more will the US have to send in troops into peace keeping missions, draining the resourses of the military and costing American lives.

Let the countries in the EU and Canada do some Peace keeping for awhile.

After they are over run with the horrors they WILL be back asking the US to rejoin the outdated quagmire that is the UN.

Lebell · 05-23-2003, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reconmike
This is an awesome idea, no more will the US have to send in troops into peace keeping missions, draining the resourses of the military and costing American lives.

Let the countries in the EU and Canada do some Peace keeping for awhile.

After they are over run with the horrors they WILL be back asking the US to rejoin the outdated quagmire that is the UN.

Agreed. Kick that dang US out of the UN.

As well as the other monetary benefits, New York needs more office space after 9/11.

splck · 05-24-2003, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reconmike

Let the countries in the EU and Canada do some Peace keeping for awhile.

They have, they are and they will.

splck · 05-24-2003, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lebell
Agreed. Kick that dang US out of the UN.

As well as the other monetary benefits, New York needs more office space after 9/11.

"Americans express concern about the percentage of the UN budget they are assessed (25%) but they overlook the fact that the UN, its agencies and diplomatic and consular corps contribute $3.2 billion a year to the economy of the New York City area alone (according to former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani). That has generated 30,600 jobs, yeilding $1.2 billion in annual earnings."
link

reconmike · 05-24-2003, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by splck
"Americans express concern about the percentage of the UN budget they are assessed (25%) but they overlook the fact that the UN, its agencies and diplomatic and consular corps contribute $3.2 billion a year to the economy of the New York City area alone (according to former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani). That has generated 30,600 jobs, yeilding $1.2 billion in annual earnings."
link

I am sure the parking tickets and fines amount to more than this.

Frowning Budah · 05-24-2003, 03:15 PM

Without taking sides, if the US isn't going to play by the UN rules why are we playing in the game?
Again not saying US is doing anything wrong just can't figure out why were paying gym dues when we know we aren't going to exercise?

05-21-2003, 12:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Liquor Dealer Super Agitator Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A	For some reason nothing in this surprises me one iota. I think the UN is just as crooked as was the Iraqi government. So what do we do to stop it? How do you deal with an organization that is rotten to the core yet people think it's water walking talents have yet to be tested? If I might make a suggestion - We should get out - associating with known criminals is a crime. __________________ Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!!

05-21-2003, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
crewsor Women want me. Men fear me. Location: Maryland,USA	Of course he did ( steal billions). I think everyone knew it. As far as the U.N. I'm embarrassed to say U.S. is a member. I think we should scrap it and start a much more exclusive organization. Some countries just have no right, based on their own actions, to belong to an organization that decides policy affecting events throughout the world. __________________ We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

05-21-2003, 07:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	I am going to make a blanket statement: Power Corrupts!! Get used to it, climb the ladder high enough, and you will find scandles, and dishonesties...some are simply better at hiding it. And some do not abuse power as much or in as socialy unacceptable ways as others.

05-21-2003, 08:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
gibber71 Loser	The UN turning a blind eye to Saddam's corruption is nothing compared to how they have completely turned their back on war crimes and crimes against humanity that have been committed and continue to as we speak. Maybe we should get that NY Times reporter to make up a story about that. He probably wouldn't even come close to scratching the surface. That's how disfunctional the UN is.

05-24-2003, 03:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
Frowning Budah Slave of Fear	Without taking sides, if the US isn't going to play by the UN rules why are we playing in the game? Again not saying US is doing anything wrong just can't figure out why were paying gym dues when we know we aren't going to exercise?