Kofi Annan: Judge, Jury and Executioner?

Sunday, March 28, 2004 3:30 p.m. EST

United Nations - In an effort to stem increasing criticisms over possible embezzlement in the U.N.'s Iraq Oil for Food Program, Secretary-General Kofi Annan disclosed more details of a new investigation.

Annan made the revelations in a letter to French Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, who presides as Security Council president.

A copy of the Annan letter was obtained by NewsMax.

In short, the U.N. chief reserves to his personal discretion how to handle any "recommendations" that may be made by the investigation's panel.

Since any illegalities found in the program would be an infringement against the U.N., it would be solely up to the world body to decide what, if any, action may be taken.

While on previous occasions the U.N. has asked member states to assist on issuing "punishments" to address illicit activities, it won't be the case here.

The current controversy centers on kickbacks, overcharging and profit-skimming from Oil for Food Program revenues. The recipients ran the gamut from U.N. and Iraqi officials to well-connected politicians and numerous businessmen.

The U.N. program was created by the Security Council in 1996.

Baghdad was permitted to sell limited amounts of oil to purchase food and humanitarian supplies for the Iraqi populace.

With the Iraqi government dissolved, the program was terminated under U.S. pressure last November.

In his letter, Annan states:

"I shall select individuals whom I consider to be of the highest integrity and to possess the necessary expertise for carrying out the inquiry in an expeditious and effective manner.

"In requiring United Nations officials and personnel to cooperate with the inquiry, I shall seek to protect such officials and personnel, as appropriate, from improper repercussions resulting from their cooperation with the inquiry.

"The [final] report will be made available to the public in a form that will take into account the rights of staff members and, where necessary, respect any undertakings as to confidentiality that may have been granted by the inquiry."

Annan concludes his letter by declaring:

"I will take such action as I may deem appropriate and is within my authority in regard to individuals or entities found to have violated the rules or procedures of the Organization or to have engaged in abusive, illicit or corrupt activities."

Security Council diplomats, including the U.S.-U.N. mission, had no immediate comment.

However, several U.N. officials have repeatedly pointed out that the Security Council's Iraq sanctions committee (Resolution 661 Committee) had oversight on the Oil for Food Program's operations since its inception. Therefore, the committee, not the U.N. Secretariat, should bear the brunt of responsibility.

The committee was often guided in its actions by policy emanating from Washington.

At the time allegations of "illegalities" first surfaced (1997), U.S. diplomats waved off the problems by declaring: "It's Saddam's money. Who cares?"

U.S.-Iraq policy was guided by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, whose hatred of the Iraqi strongman became legendary.

It is not known if Annan's commission of inquiry intends to question the former Clinton administration foreign policy chief.