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Saddam's illicit trade was no secret to US officials
Saddam Hussein was dead broke, the result of U.N. penalties. Or so it was thought. So where did the Iraqi president find the money to pursue missile technology from North Korea, air defence systems from Belarus and other prohibited military equipment. The CIA's top weapons inspector in Iraq said Saddam carried out much of that trade with proceeds from illegal oil sales to Syria, one of three Iraqi neighbours that bought oil from Baghdad in defiance of the United Nations. Trade with Syria, Jordan and Turkey was the biggest source of illicit funds for Saddam, more so than the much-maligned U.N. oil-for-food program, according to investigations of Saddam's finances. Though considered smuggling, most of the trade took place with the knowledge - and sometimes the tacit consent - of the United States and other nations.

With Republican-led congressional committees investigating allegations of oil-for-food corruption, some Democrats are pressing for answers about why the United States did little to stop the smuggling. The issue is part of a series of broader questions these lawmakers have about what US officials knew about Saddam's overall illicit finances. "I am determined to make some partisan political points see to it that our own government's failures and oversights or mistaken judgments and decisions should also be exposed," said Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat.
Why don't you ask Bill and Al? They were in charge for quite a while ...
Some Republicans are promising to hold hearings on the matter next year. During the dozen years between the two Iraq wars, Saddam's oil sales were supposed to be limited to those under permitted the U.N. oil-for-program. From 1996 to 2003, the $60 billion program allowed Iraq to sell oil and use proceeds to buy food, medicine and other necessities. That program has come under scrutiny because of allegations that Saddam received kickbacks and bribed U.N. and foreign government officials. Besides the congressional inquiries, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker to head an investigation.
Posted by: Fred 2004-12-12
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=51089