Thursday, August 25, 2005

Pigs Arriving At Concourse D, Gate 7

Russia Says Its Companies Did Not Violate Sanctions in Iraq Oil-for-Food Program
The Associated Press


MOSCOW (AP) - Russian diplomats told members of a commission investigating alleged abuses of the U.N. oil-for-food program Thursday that Russian companies did not violate sanctions against Iraq while participating in the program, the Foreign Ministry said.

The commission members, led by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, met with Foreign Ministry officials during their third visit to Russia while investigating the scandal-tainted humanitarian program.

The Russians told the commission that "our companies, as they have officially informed the Foreign Ministry, acted in strict accordance with (U.N. sanctions against Iraq) and with Russian law," the ministry said in a statement.
Oh! These companies, as they told the Russian authorities, complied with Russian law! I am completely placated now! I mean, after all Russian law is completely reliable and free and, you know, all those things that Judge Roberts might not be. Al Capone said he paid his taxes, too.

Russian companies and individuals were heavily involved in the U.N. oil-for-food program, which allowed Saddam Hussein's Iraq to sell oil to pay for humanitarian goods despite the U.N. sanctions imposed on his country after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Investigations have found that Saddam manipulated the program to obtain illegal revenues and try to influence officials and political figures in foreign countries, particularly those with veto power in the U.N. Security Council, such as Russia and France.
Oh no! Not France! They ride bicycles in France. I saw it on TV!

Russia has criticized U.S. reports that alleged Russian involvement in the machinations, and companies and individuals involved have denied wrongdoing. The ministry said commission members also met with company representatives during their visit.

Meanwhile, OJ is still looking for the real killers, and yes Virginia there is a Sanata Claus.
His name is Kofi.

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