US Senate Probe: Saddam Made $21B From U.N. Program
AP via Sierra Times ^ | 11-15-04 | By DESMOND BUTLER and PAULINE JELINEK
 

 

WASHINGTON - Saddam Hussein 's regime made more than $21.3 billion in illegal revenue by subverting the U.N. oil-for-food program — more than double previous estimates, according to congressional investigators.

"This is like an onion — we just keep uncovering more layers and more layers," said Sen. Norm Coleman 's alleged surcharges, kickbacks and oil-smuggling are based on troves of new documents obtained by the committee's investigative panel, Coleman told reporters before the hearing. The documents illustrate how Iraqi officials, foreign companies and sometimes politicians allegedly contrived to allow the Iraqi government vast illicit gains.

The findings also reflect a growing understanding by investigators of the intricate schemes Saddam used to buy support abroad for a move to lift U.N. sanctions.

Coleman said the probe is just beginning and that officials aim to discover "how this massive fraud was able to thrive for so long." He said he is angry that the United Nations has not provided documents and access to officials that investigators need to move ahead.

Officials must get to the bottom of the allegations because, among other things, it will help the international community to better design future sanctions programs, some senators said.

"That humanitarian program was corrupted and exploited ... for the most horrible and aggressive purpose" of raising money for Saddam's military, said Sen. Joseph Lieberman Chairman Paul Volcker heads a panel that's conducting an independent investigation.