Try to pass up a story

[Gonz]

I decided to let this go the other day

UPI - Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:44:29 AM EST

LAGOS, Nigeria, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The son of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Kojo, calls the inquiries into Iraq's oil-for-food program a U.S. Republican "witchhunt," CNN said Tuesday.

In a written statement to the network, the 31-year-old said: "I have never participated directly or indirectly in any business related to the United Nations."

The oil-for-food program, administered by the United Nations, was designed to allow Iraq to sell oil and use the proceeds to buy food and medicine to offset the sanctions' impact on the Iraqi people.

The younger Annan once worked for Cotecna, a Swiss company that inspects commercial freight shipments. It was hired by the United Nations in 1998 to verify paperwork on imports purchased by Iraq with revenues from its oil exports.

Both Annans have denied any collusion, favoritism or profit-taking.

"I feel the whole issue has been a witchhunt from day one as part of a broader Republican political agenda," the younger Annan said in his statement to CNN.

A group of Republican legislators has called for Kofi Annan to quit his U.N. post, although the Bush administration has expressed support in his leadership of the 191-nation body.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.

Ugh-oh.

Other U.S. lawmakers have called for Annan's resignation following allegations his son Kojo was employed by Swiss firm Cotecna Inspection S.A. that had a contract in the oil-for-food program. The younger Annan continued to be paid by the firm even after he left it. The U.N. chief has denied he knew of the extra payments, adding they "disappointed and surprised" him.

Cotecna employs 40,000 people in 100 countries and as part of it oil-for-food contract inspected freight shipments entering Iraq. Both the firm and the Annans have said Kojo was not in any way linked to the program. At the time, Kojo worked for the firm in Africa.

Annan addressed the issue Thursday, saying, "We must get to the bottom of these allegations."

Washington Times

 

[HomeLAN]

"I feel the whole issue has been a witchhunt from day one as part of a broader Republican political agenda," the younger Annan said in his statement to CNN.

Yup. Having roundly defeated the Democrats at home, that evil great right wing conspiracy is expanding. Not satisified with the stress involved in running this country at a time of war, they've decided to persecute you innnocents over at the UN.