Oil For Support

Opinion Journal continues its work of investigating the U.N. oil for food program that was established with Iraq during the 90's.

A letter has come to The Wall Street Journal supporting allegations that among those favored by Saddam with gifts of oil was Benon Sevan, director of the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food Program. As detailed on this page on Feb. 9, Mr. Sevan's name appears on a list of individuals, companies and organizations that allegedly received oil allocations or vouchers from Saddam that could then be sold via middlemen for a significant markup. The list, compiled in Arabic from documents uncovered in Iraq's oil ministry, included many of Saddam's nearest and dearest from some 50 countries, including the PLO, pro-Saddam British MP George Galloway, and French politician Charles Pasqua. (Messrs. Galloway and Pasqua have denied receiving anything from Saddam.) According to the list, first published by the Iraqi daily Al Mada in January, Mr. Sevan was another beneficiary, via a company in Panama known as Africa Middle East Petroleum, Co. Ltd. (AMEP), about which we have learned quite a bit.

It's astonishing that these allegations are not gaining any traction within the media. Doesn't the media love a controvery and/or cover-up?

Equaling astonishing is that up to now not one U.N. member country has demanded an investigation into the program. Maybe they just don't want to rock the boat? Or were too many people aware of what was going on?