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Report Slams UN On Oil-For-Food Program

HeadlineFeb 04, 2005

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has ordered the former head of the oil for food program in Iraq to be disciplined following the publication of a report that harshly criticized the official, Benon Sevan. The independent report determined that Sevan has secretly made a deal with Iraqi officials under Saddam Hussein to sell oil at below market rates to a company owned by a personal friend. The author of the UN report Paul Volcker said “In making such solicitations, Mr Sevan created a grave and continuing conflict of interest. His conduct was ethically improper and seriously undermined the integrity of the United Nations.” The oil for food program was set up in 1996 to allow Iraq to sell oil to buy food and medicine to ease the effects of international sanctions.

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