Americans involved in UN Food for oil scandal

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the alleged involvement of Americans in the UN Oil-for-Food scandal, focusing on the implications of U.S. oil imports from Iraq, the actions of specific individuals and companies, and the broader geopolitical context. Participants explore various aspects of the scandal, including the legality of oil purchases, the role of the U.S. in the program, and the motivations behind the investigation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that the U.S. was the largest importer of Iraqi oil during the Oil-for-Food program, questioning the legitimacy of these transactions.
  • One participant notes that while the U.S. imported significant amounts of oil, the legality of these purchases is under scrutiny, particularly regarding compliance with UN rules.
  • Another participant mentions that a substantial amount of money was allegedly siphoned off through smuggling and kickbacks, raising concerns about the enforcement of sanctions by the U.S. against its allies.
  • Some argue that the investigation into the scandal has gained traction only after political events, suggesting a potential bias in the focus on the UN and France while overlooking American involvement.
  • There are claims that the U.S. has historically engaged in questionable oil deals with Iraq, indicating a pattern of behavior that may complicate the narrative surrounding the scandal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the implications of the U.S. involvement in the scandal or the motivations behind the investigation. Disagreements persist regarding the legality of oil transactions and the role of various countries in the scandal.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various figures and amounts related to the scandal, but the discussion lacks detailed verification of claims and relies on assertions about the actions of individuals and governments. The complexity of international relations and the specifics of the Oil-for-Food program are acknowledged but not fully resolved.

kat
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I've been waiting for this to begin to leak.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6214647/site/newsweek/
Law-enforcement sources say Americans who participated in alleged oil-for-food scams also may face further investigation. The CIA deleted from Duelfer's report names of Saddam's U.S. oil-for-food favorites. But an uncensored copy of the Duelfer report obtained by NEWSWEEK indicates Houston oil mogul Oscar Wyatt got oil allocations from Saddam which could have earned him and Coastal Corp.—a company he founded and ran until 2000—profits of more than $22 million. Wyatt and wife Lynn are major donors to political causes: since 1989 they have given nearly $700,000 in contributions, of which more than $500,000 went to Democrats. Wyatt told NEWSWEEK that his company did buy oil from Saddam but that he never did so personally, and that his company's dealings all complied with U.N. rules.
 
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One thing that is "surprisingly" overlooked in this case is: where did the oil go? Answer: the US was the biggest importer of the Iraqi oil, all the way through from end '96 until.. now. Strange isn't it?
 
Well, a lot of oil going to the U.S. in and of itself would not be a problem...if purchased legitimately.
 
Mercator said:
One thing that is "surprisingly" overlooked in this case is: where did the oil go? Answer: the US was the biggest importer of the Iraqi oil, all the way through from end '96 until.. now. Strange isn't it?


Yeah, that was the idea of the program, that the oil was being purchased. The question was, how was it being purchased?
 
I think You're in for a surprise when the true scope of this scandal surfaces:
Of the billions allegedly siphoned off, $5.7 billion was from smuggling oil through neighboring countries, such as US allies Jordan and Turkey. While this clearly broke sanctions, the United States never pressed those countries to stop it, although it did get annoyed when Syria belatedly made up its differences with Iraq and joined in the trade. The other $4.4 billion was the result of kickbacks from imports and surcharges on oil contracts. The Security Council, on which the United States has a veto, had allowed the Iraqis to negotiate their own contracts,... http://www.una-uk.org/iraq/oilforfood.html
 
Another observation: American food for oil, Yes. But all the way through, while the UN was already accused of the misdoings? And look at 2003: all the way through, before, during and after the invasion the US was virtually the only country importing Iraqi crude? And why is it an AMERICAN branch of a French bank allegedly involved in this? To do illegal deals via the US with France? Looks like this UN bashing is going to backfire seriously. I am in the energy industry and it is a public secret that the US has always been the most active in dirty oil deals with Iraq.
 
So, do you start to understand why this investigation takes so long and has only really got attention AFTER the Bush re-election? All this BS about the UN and France, while it is actually the Americans controlling the UN and keeping a lid on the dirtbin?
 

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