http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/37995.htm A COUP FOR KOFI'S CREW? January 8, 2005 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he needs $1 billion in cash - now! - to cover the first six months of relief efforts for survivors of the South Asia tsunami. Does he, now? But does he really expect the nations of the world to fork over that much hard cash to the UN? The same UN whose cash-based relief efforts in Iraq may have resulted in the largest embezzlement in history? Good luck, Kofi. And the disclosure by the U.N.'s hand-picked "investigator" into the Iraq Oil-for-Food scandal, former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker, that he won't be producing any "smoking guns" won't help matters, that's for sure. It was never clear that Volcker would be able to deliver an honest product on the scandal. His report was meant from the start to be submitted directly to Annan personally - to be made public only "in a form that will take into account the rights of staff members" and protect their confidentiality. It was a prescription for a cover-up, in other words. Which no doubt is why Annan has instructed his staff not to cooperate with U.S. congressional investigators, at least until Volcker releases his preliminary report - which Volcker himself now admits may be seen as a "whitewash" by the U.N.'s critics. He's delivering the prescription, in other words. Meanwhile, upwards of $20 billion disappeared down all manner of rat-holes - even Annan's son seems to have gotten a cut - while very little of the food, hospital supplies and other goods meant to be purchased for suffering Iraqis ever were. And millions meant for humanitarian projects were diverted to Saddam Hussein's pocket - to purchase luxury items for himself and his family, and weaponry to keep his regime in power. Says Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who is chairing the congressional probe: "If this widespread corruption had occurred in any legitimate organization around the world, its CEO would have been ousted long ago in disgrace." Despite the stonewalling from Turtle Bay, Coleman's sleuths reportedly have uncovered evidence from former Saddam aides implicating even more highly placed United Nations officials in the corruption - and the scheme to subvert international sanctions on Iraq. These are some of the same folks who cite concerns that private humanitarian organizations involved in the tsunami crisis may be overwhelmed by the amount of money that's already been contributed by good-hearted people - and governments - worldwide. None of the groups has experience administering that much money - which is why the United Nations wants to coordinate the relief efforts. It's true that Kofi & Co. are skilled "coordinators." But it's equally true that they're not so hot at providing actual relief. Handing thick bundles of cash to the United Nations will make some exquisitely tailored diplomats on First Avenue happy; survivors of the South Asia tsunami will be on their own. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EHLuJD/.WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
