posted on Aug, 8 2005 @ 01:30 AM
A day before investigators release a report expected to accuse him of taking kickbacks, the former chief of the Iraq Oil-For-Food program, Benon Sevan
has resigned, blasting Un Secretary General Kofi Annan for using him as a scapegoat. Sevan's resignation is symbolic due to him being suspended in
February and retained by only being paid US $1 a year to keep him on the payroll so he could testify and co operate with the investigation of the
program. The move will strip him of his diplomatic immunity status, leaving him open to prosecution over the affair.
news.bbc.co.uk
It is expected to accuse Mr Sevan of receiving cash in return for allocating Iraqi oil contracts in the mid-1990s.
The oil-for-food programme allowed Saddam Hussein to sell limited amounts of oil to buy humanitarian goods.
Mr Sevan's lawyers have already said the report will falsely accuse him of receiving cash kick-backs for helping a company obtain lucrative oil
contracts under the scheme.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Reports are that Sevan was questioned over "unexplained wealth" of US$160000 in cash that he said he recieved from his Aunt in Cyprus. It was noted
that the aunt, who has since died was retired living on a government pension.
He tendered his resignation letter directly to Kofi Annan.
Related News Links:
www.theage.com.au
[edit on 8-8-2005 by Mayet]