Annan, Security Council discuss Oil-for-Food investigation

Secretary-General Kofi Annan met today with Security Council members to review the workings of a proposed independent panel to probe allegations of corruption within the United Nations Oil-for-Food humanitarian programme for Iraq.

The Secretary-General informally shared the draft terms of reference for the panel with Council members yesterday, his spokesman, Fred Eckhard, said. Mr. Annan was still talking to possible panel members and may not finalize the list of names by Friday, but he still hoped to put out a letter about the investigation by the end of tomorrow, although that schedule may slip into next week, he added.

The Secretary-General wanted the Council's support for the panel, since, without the cooperation of governments and companies, the investigation was not likely to succeed, Mr. Eckhard said in response to questions at the daily briefing. "So for those two reasons, he is looking for a signal from the Council that they agree with his going ahead" and is confident that he will get it, the spokesman said.

Asked about reports that the Pentagon has found signs of overpricing in the Oil-for-Food programme, the spokesman said officials from the programme did meet with Pentagon contracting experts involved in the study of oil contracts and shared information. The UN had not yet seen the Pentagon report and would not be able to comment until it had been reviewed, he said.

As to whether the Secretary-General would agree to appear before an inquiry, Mr. Eckhard noted that the panel's draft terms of reference have not been finalized, but added that Mr. Annan would give the panel his full cooperation.