Coalition of the billing

Confirmed: Saddam 'bought UN allies' with oil

Excerpt:

The UN oil-for-food scheme was set up in 1995 to allow Iraq to sell
controlled amounts of oil to raise money for humanitarian supplies.
However, the leaked report reveals Saddam systematically abused the
scheme, using it to buy 'political influence' throughout the world.

The former Iraqi regime was in effect free to 'allocate' oil to whom it
wished. Dozens of private individuals were given oil at knockdown
prices. They were able to nominate recognised traders to buy the cheap
oil from the Iraqi state oil firm and sell it for a personal profit.

The report says oil was given to key countries: 'The regime gave
priority to Russia, China and France. This was because they were
permanent members of, and hence had the ability to influence decisions
made by, the UN Security Council. The regime . . . allocated 'private
oil' to individuals or political parties that sympathised in some way
with the regime.

The report also details how the regime benefited by arranging illegal
'kickbacks' from oil sales.

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