Save 20%

Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
July 2, 2008

Iraq lodges $10bn lawsuit over ‘Oil-for-Food scam’

Suzy Jagger

New York The Iraqi Government is suing dozens of companies for $10 billion (£5 billion) after they allegedly defrauded the country’s citizens out of food and medical provisions during Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Iraq has hired Maney and Purrington, a law firm from Texas, to sue 70 corporations such as Chevron, the oil company, GlaxoSmithKline, the drugs group, and BNP Paribas, the French bank, for allegedly paying bribes to the dictator to secure business contracts under the United Nations Oil-for-Food programme. The programme was intended to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food and medicine for ordinary Iraqis.

The civil lawsuit filed in Manhattan, is seeking damages from companies that have already been investigated by the UN. BNP Paribas failed to return calls yesterday. Glaxo declined to comment. Chevron said that it had resolved all ongoing government reviews into transactions occurring between 1997 and 2003 under the Oil-for-Food Programme.

Imagine today if Saddam hadn't been removed by US power.
5 years later, he would be much richer from the UN OFF scam and the current price of a barrel of oil. What would he do with all that money, what with Iran making nuclear weapons next door?

J House, Alpharetta, GA

Yes!

I think the masking theory is correct, just the other day an Iraqi official was saying that they want outside firms to help modernize their oil production facilities.

James Shaw, London, England

I think they should add the U.N., Benan Sevan and Kofi Annan to that list! They should be at the top! It was the U.N.'s responsibility to look out for the interest of the Iraqi people. Those companies, while culpable, were doing what business always does: looking out for their stockholders.

Deane Pradzinski, HIghland, CA, U.S.A

Oooh good plan. I believe this falls under the concept known as masking.
While the West drinks Iraqs oil, their Iraqi puppets launch a side show to mask the current sell out of Iraqs resources.

Brundi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Have your say

* Required

Also in Iraq News

Also in World News

British troop withdrawal in Iraq

Gordon Brown arrives at Baghdad Airport in Iraq

The Prime Minister tells the Commons troop reductions will occur in the early months of next year

Slide Show

Inside Iraq

American flag

Lost in translation

Embedded with US troops, Deborah Haynes finds English doesn't always unite

Inside Iraq

Iraqi girls shop in Basra (ESSAM AL-SUDANI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Relief in Basra

But fears remain that the militia will return

US elections

John McCain v Barack Obama

White House 2008

Full coverage of the race for the US presidency

Comment Central

Barack Obama in the ocean

Obama ready to reveal

The vital veepstakes - read the latest news and views

    Most Read

    Skip Most Read

    Today

    MOST COMMENTED

    Skip Editor's Pick

    Today

    MOST CURIOUS

    Skip Most Curious

    Today

    Focus Zone

    swimmer

    London Triathlon:

    Read the training tips and advice that helped our London Triathletes

    Dr Zhivago

    Top 100 Films:

    Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets

    Focus zone, pets, 100x100

    Perfect Pets:

    Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet

    Daniel Craig

    James Bond:

    Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews

    ba business travel clouds

    Business Travel:

    The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers

    previous next

    Popular Searches on Times Online

    books | chess | currency converter | fantasy football | fashion | formula 1 | gcse results 2008 | horoscopes | mortgages | olympics | pensions | podcasts | property | recipes | redundancy calculator | sudoku | travel news | wine

    Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

    Daniel Craig

    Special

    Fleming & Bond

    Exclusive 100 year timeline

    The Singapore skyline pictured at night

    Business City Guides

    Overseas contacts and local business information

    Luxx

    The Times Luxx

    A treasure trove of baubles, booty and stylish quests

    Cyclists

    Special

    London Triathlon

    Tips for successful training

    Services

    Classifieds 

    Cars

    Skip Cars of the Week

    Audi RS4 Saloon Quattro

    06/2006
    £40,850

    Car insurance

    Great car insurance deals online


    Jobs

    Skip Jobs of the Week
    Regional Corporate Development Manager

    £33,000
    Macmillan Cancer Support
    Central/South West

    Leadership Programme

    £50k
    NHS
    Nationwide

    International Management Trainees

    £ £30k OTE
    Meltwater News
    Nationwide

    Finance Director

    circa £70k
    Central Office of Information
    London

    Properties

    The First Group

    Great Dubai Investment Opportunities
    from £89,950

    The Gardens @ Riverside Quarters Wandsworth

    Luxury Appts, beautiful gardens w/ Thames views

    Ajman UAE (next to Dubai): Prices set to double in 18 months!

    Studios £33K, 1 Beds £60K, 2 beds  £79K

    Holidays

    Skip Travel of the Week

    Funway Holidays Int Inc

    New York Christmas Shopping


    APT River Cruising

    Christmas Cruises
    From only £995pp

    Australia savings

    APTs East Coast now from only
    £2425pp.

    Travel insurance

    Great travel insurance deals online


    Place your advert now