050223 - scandal over Oil-for-Food Programme

BENON SEVAN NEVER TOOK A PENNY SAYS HIS COUNSEL ERIK LEWIS
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF BENON SEVAN ON THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE IIC
Benon Sevan, UN Undersecretary General, has been often spoken of lately in connection with scandal over Oil-for-Food Programme as result of which he was temporarily discharged by Kofi Annan. Benon Sevan denies accusations and he wrote in a letter to a friend that "he is ready to fight till… the hell grows cold". He also wrote that he was going to retire as he has served at the UN for 40 years. Below we present excerpts from announcement of Erik Lewis, his counsel.

It is unfortunate that the Independent Investigative Committee (IIC) has succumbed to massive political pressure and now seeks to scapegoat Undersecretary General and former Executive Director of the Iraq Programme, Benon Sevan, for problems within the Oil-for-Food Programme. After eight months of investigation with more than 60 employees and a $30 million budget, the IIC needed to produce a "smoking gun." As Mr. Volcker has conceded, there is no smoking gun. Mr. Sevan never took a penny.
More at the Azg Internet edition at http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2005021804
Eric L. Lewis, Counsel to Mr. Sevan; eric.lewis@baachrobinson.com

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