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:: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 ::
Etymology: Middle English hyene, from Latin hyaena, from Greek hyaina, from hys hog -- more at SOW
: any of several large strong nocturnal carnivorous Old World mammals (family Hyaenidae) that usually feed as scavengers
- hy·e·nic /-'E-nik, -'e-nik/ adjective
According to most observers the degree, scope and depth of corruption in the Oil for Food program is so extensive and pervasive that it is difficult to grasp. Rosett says that 'had the UN deliberately set out to design a program opened to manipulation by Saddam Hussein's regime, it is hard to think how the UN could have improved upon the arrangement that was put in place.' In other words, this was no accident: the UN from the onset envisioned the Oil for Food program as a get-rich-quick program.
Okay, you might think, is skimming this money such a big deal? Well, yes, it was so big that this scam has been characterized as involving 'staggering levels of corruption,' with an estimated at $10 billion-plus in bribes, kickbacks and other payoffs to individuals and to governments. Anan's Secretariat office alone collected more than $1.4 billion over the life of the program supposedly to monitor, audit and administer it, yet due to a UN policy of extreme secrecy there are no public records of the program.
Koffi Annan is Kerry's go-to man. If you'd like to see Iraq thrown back to these hyenas, vote for John Kerry.
Via Tim Blair [>]
:: Max 5:16 PM [+] ::
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