UN Panel Investigates Kofi Annan's Role in Iraqi Oil-for-Food Program

Kofi Annan's son, Kojo, was employed by Cotecna Inspection Services, a Swiss company that won a lucrative contract to inspect goods entering Iraq as part of the $65 billion oil-for-food program. The UN panel investigating the program has found evidence suggesting Annan's involvement in the contract awarding process, contradicting his previous denials. A memo written by a friend and business associate of Annan's, Michael R. Wilson, claims that Annan's office assured Cotecna of their support in securing the contract.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN panel investigating the oil-for-food program has begun reviewing a memo that suggests Kofi Annan's involvement in the awarding of a major contract to his son's employer, Cotecna Inspection Services.
• The memo, written by Michael R. Wilson, an Annan family friend and business associate, claims that Annan's office assured Cotecna of their support in securing the contract.
• Annan has denied any involvement, stating he has "no recollection" of such a meeting with Wilson, citing records that make no mention of such a meeting.
• Cotecna has pledged cooperation with the investigation and disputed claims of impropriety, stating they won the contract "fairly and on the basis of price."
• The panel has concluded that Annan had known his son worked for Cotecna, but had not influenced the awarding of the contract to the company.
• Reid Morden, executive director of the panel, plans to interview Annan, his son, and Wilson again to clarify the situation.
• Cotecna has also denied allegations of attempting to hide their business relationship with Kojo Annan, stating they acted "at all times appropriately and ethically."
• The company has also conducted an internal audit and found no evidence of making millions of dollars in payments to Kojo Annan.
• The panel continues to investigate and will review Cotecna's claims, including a new audit that disputes allegations of wrongdoing.

Statistics:

• $10 million: The annual value of the contract awarded to Cotecna Inspection Services to inspect goods entering Iraq.
• $65 billion: The total value of the oil-for-food program.
• $1 million: The amount by which Cotecna underbid their competitors to secure the contract.
• $306,305: The amount allegedly paid by Cotecna to Kojo Annan, denied by the company.

Sources:

• United Nations panel investigating the oil-for-food program in Iraq.
• The New York Times.
• Cotecna Inspection Services.