UN Fails to Cooperate with Senate Investigations, Critics Call for Transparency

The United Nations came under intense scrutiny at a Senate hearing on Tuesday for its failure to provide access to officials and documents related to the oil-for-food aid program in Iraq. The program, which ran from 1998 to 2003, was accused of allowing Saddam Hussein's regime to personally profit from oil exports. Critics, including Senators Norm Coleman and Carl Levin, expressed frustration with the UN's reluctance to allow Dileep Nair, the head of its auditing office, to testify.

The Senate panel has accused Benon V. Sevan, the former head of the oil-for-food program, of personally profiting from the program. Sevan denies any wrongdoing, but an independent investigation led by Paul A. Volcker found that he had conflicts of interest. The UN has refused to force its employees to testify before the Senate panel due to diplomatic immunity.

Key Takeaways:

• Senators Norm Coleman and Carl Levin criticized the UN for failing to provide access to its officials and documents for the Senate inquiry into the oil-for-food aid program.
• Dileep Nair, the head of the UN's auditing office, was not permitted to testify, sparking criticism from the Senate panel.
• Benon V. Sevan, the former head of the oil-for-food program, denies accusations of personally profiting from the program, despite an independent investigation finding conflicts of interest.
• The UN has refused to force its employees to testify before the Senate panel due to diplomatic immunity.
• The UN has implemented new standards for accountability, including making previously withheld audits available.
• Representatives from major contractors, including Saybolt International and Cotecna Inspection, testified before the panel, with one former inspector criticizing Cotecna's performance.
• Kojo Annan, Kofi Annan's son, was employed by Cotecna as a contractor, and questions have been raised about potential improprieties, though no evidence of wrongdoing has been provided.

Statistics:

• The oil-for-food aid program in Iraq ran from 1998 to 2003.
• The program was valued at $65 billion.
• The independent investigation led by Paul A. Volcker found conflicts of interest, but no illicit profits, in Benon V. Sevan's involvement in the program.
• Senators Coleman and Levin have accused Benon V. Sevan of personally profiting from the program.
• Kofi Annan's deputy, Louise Frechette, stated that the UN has new standards for accountability, including making previously withheld audits available.

Sources:

• "Senate Criticizes U.N. Over Lack of Cooperation." The New York Times, 2005.
• "Annan Under Fire for Oil-for-Food Program." The New York Times, 2005.
• "U.N. to Implement New Standards for Accountability." The New York Times, 2005.