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To: Sully- who wrote (42701)	5/7/2004 1:00:39 PM
From: Sully-	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793743

U.N. BIDS TO SILENCE OIL-$$ WHISTLEBLOWER By NILES LATHEM May 7, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - The United Nations has sent a stern letter to an important witness in the Iraq oil-for-food investigation, demanding that he not cooperate with congressional probes of the scandal, The Post has learned. The letter - in the name of oil-for-food program chief Benon Sevan - was sent to a U.N. consultant after it was learned he had been talking to congressional investigators about allegations of wholesale corruption, officials said last night. "This particular individual is someone we have been in contact with for more than a month," said an investigator. "This letter has chilled his willingness to cooperate with the congressional investigation. This individual also appears to be genuinely frightened by the implications inherent in the letter." Congressional officials would not identify the consultant because he is a potential whistleblower. The U.N. letter, obtained by The Post, reminded the consultant that under his contract with the oil-for-food program, he "may not communicate at any time to any other person, government or authority external to the United Nations any information known to them by reason of their association with the United Nations, which has not been made public." "In view of the contractual provisions referred to above and the fact that these matters relate to internal U.N. procedures for administering the Programme, we would ask that you consult with the U.N. before releasing any documentation or information," the letter said. It is the third letter to surface this week from Sevan's office to companies that did business with the oil-for-food program that invoked confidentiality agreements and demanded that they not release documents to outside investigators. U.N. spokesmen have said this week that the letters are following standard legal procedure and that U.N. lawyers want all documents to be collected by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, who was appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to head an investigation into the scandal. But the letters have ignited a firestorm. "These confidentiality agreements are fueling a perception on the Hill that the U.N. is deliberately seeking to thwart a congressional inquiry into these allegations," said one congressional investigator. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), whose subcommittee is one of three congressional committees investigating the scandal, noted this week that his panel recently heard sworn testimony that Sevan accepted sweetheart oil deals from Saddam Hussein's government. "It would be a big mistake, I think, for him to suggest that people not cooperate in this investigation. It would further imply that he is totally mixed up in this," Shays said. The United Nations has said Sevan, who is on vacation pending retirement, was not the author of the letters. They were drawn up by U.N. lawyers and sent out on his stationery. nypost.com

To: Sully- who wrote (42701)	5/7/2004 1:39:13 PM
From: michael97123	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793743

"So now we come to the earthquake of Iraq, and the divide has become a gaping abyss. Yes, there is real controversy over troop levels, the mission and purpose of our stay, and the costs of reconstructing Iraq. But behind the conundrum rest very, very different views of what the West and indeed the world should be. This fight for the future of Iraq is turning out to be for more than a referendum on democracy in the Middle East, but rather a trial of our own culture here at home." I believe this to my core. But i am communist at heart.<g> Remember when the commies entered into united front alliances with progressive forces. We need to do that too. The Republican tent has shrunk with this president. We need to concentrate on bringing folks back or new folks in, not to the republican camp or conservative ideology but back to Bush. There is a common interest here which consumes some of us but is under the surface with some of those folks and that the gnawing feeling that kerry would do exactly what he says he would do when the next crisis hit--and that's invite Koffi Annan, Jacques Chirac and Hillary into the WH to tell him what to do. So most people in the nation think our iraq policy is broken and many of those supported and still support the war in iraq. How to get them back and see bush again as a strong leader on the WOT and the economy. Well i guess i wont guess rummys head today but perhaps a forceful statement from the President not on porn pics but on how we will adjust policy going forward to take into account whats different than we thought in iraq and how we will correct policy. Best way to bang kerry is to bring back the perception of bush as leader. Now we should be able to agree on that point unless you dont want the votes of less than true believers. (g) (For example remember reagans blue collar catholic democrats). Pro-America folks needed but also dont throw away the intelligent independents who are offended by pure anti-kerry in vietnam campaign. Mike