Volcker Report Does Not Clear Kofi

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Volcker Report Doesn’t Clear Kofi Despite What He Says

by Freedom Alliance

March 29, 2005

Dulles, Virginia - Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon today released the following statement regarding the most recent findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee into the Oil-for-Food program at the United Nations:

"The latest installment of the Volcker Commission reveals some disturbing findings about Kofi Annan and his former chief of staff, Iqbal Riza," Kilgannon explained. "Regarding the conflict between Cotecna – the inspection services firm – and his son Kojo Annan, Kofi Annan should have referred this situation, once he learned of it, to an independent investigator which he did not. Perhaps he was protecting his son, perhaps he was hoping it would not be discovered. But Kofi Annan's actions, or lack thereof, are not the actions of a reformer hoping to boost confidence in the failing United Nations.

"Even more disturbing," Kilgannon continued, "is the finding of the Commission that Iqbal Riza, Kofi Annan's former chief of staff – just one day after the Security Council demanded an investigation into the Oil-for-Food program – authorized the destruction of three years worth of documents. This is despite the fact that Riza, just ten days earlier, had instructed UN agencies to 'take all necessary steps to collect, preserve and secure all files, records and documents…relating to the Oil-for-Food Programme.'

"This report indicates that there are a great many more questions to be asked and answered. The Volcker Report gives us even more reasons to be skeptical of Kofi Annan, his leadership and the worth of the United Nations. Congress should continue to pressure Kofi Annan to step down."

http://freedomalliance.org/view_article.php?a_id=544