The Volcker report exposes the corporate corruption associated with the UN Oil-for-Food Programme, but vas the brief too limited? I predict, as the various national investigations into the named companies proceed, serious questions will emerge over the roles of the US, Australian and other allied government administrations.
I have previously pointed to the potential complicity of the US and Australian governments, in the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) allegations. There is clear documentary evidence that those governments were alerted to the problem as early as 2003. In choosing to ignore the claims then they have left themselves open to suspicions of involvement in, or at least tacit approval of the corruption.
UN
American lust for Iraqi oil is often cited, by opponents of the Iraq adventure, as the primary objective of the war. Looking at distribution of the Oil for Food money (http://www.oilforfoodfacts.org/history.aspx), perhaps the focus needs to change a little. Self serving? No doubt, but not purely oil perhaps.
The 1990 Kuwait war, the US Department of Defense estimated the costs at $61 billion; others said $71 billion. About $53 billion was contributed by various countries, and if we accept the estimate of $71 billion, we get a deficit of $18 billion. Is this deficit sufficient motive to plunder Iraqi funds under the Oil-for-Food Programme?
According to the UN website, the Programme legally yielded $69.4 billion, which was meant exclusively for food, medicines and other necessities. But only $38.6 billion was actually spent on so-called "humanitarian purposes". Although not sanctioned by any UNSC Resolution, $18 billion was grabbed as Reparations for the Kuwait war.
About $1.3 billion was spent on oil transportation, $1.1 billion on operational costs, $0.6 billion on repayment to unidentified member states, and $0.5 billion on UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission.
There are suggestions being bandied about that at least half of $69.4 billion 'legal' funds from the Programme were misappropriated.
The world has a right to a proper accounting of these funds, not simply the prosecution of a bunch of cowboy corporations. As the Australian government has already shown, they are not prepared to be subject to inquiry.
There is simply too much shady business being done by governments entrusted to act on our behalf. While this apparent plunder continues the hapless Iraqi people are left to rebuild something from the mess which ‘responsible’ governments have left behind them.
Introducing the Mystic Simone Weil.
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