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Cover Story

The Secretary-General, The UN auditor, Volcker, Catherine and Louise

by Marinka Peschmann, Special to Canada Free Press
Thursday, april 28, 2005

Kofi annan "reluctantly" accepted another resignation on Tuesday. The latest one is from Under-Secretary-General for Management Catherine Bertini. It was Bertini who cleared UN auditor Dileep Nair of a wide range of allegations including corrupt practices and violating Staff Regulations in November 2004. Dileep Nair, as Canada Free Press reported in March, is the embattled-by-Paul-Volcker UN auditor accused of "misusing Oil-for-Food funds and violating UN Staff Regulations."

Nair left the UN last week maintaining his innocence. Bertini will leave the UN at the end of this month.  Canada's Louise Fréchette, Kofi's #2, who blocked Nair from reporting Oil-for-Food audit irregularities to the UN Security Council remains at the UN intact.

Catherine Bertini of the United States served as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme for 10 years. according to her bio, Bertini was appointed in 1992 on the recommendation of President George H. W. Bush and reappointed again in 1997 with the endorsement of President Bill Clinton. She is credited with assisting hundreds of millions of victims of wars and natural disasters throughout africa, asia, Latin america, the Middle East, and parts of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Kofi annan praised Bertini's "efficient leadership" and "splendid services to humanity."

according to a UN news article, "Bertini and her husband, Tom, look to become more involved in the community, the arts and other activities. Bertini intends to return to academia."

On November 16, 2004, a statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Dileep Nair reads in part; "after a thorough review of the personnel-related allegations, the Under-Secretary-General for Management [Bertini] reported to the Secretary-General [annan] her findings and recommendations [on Nair]. She found that no Staff Regulations or Staff Rules were violated in the appointment and promotion of staff in OIOS, and that the relevant personnel procedures were followed. She "recommended that no further action was necessary in the matter."

Bertini cleared UN auditor Nair. Less than five months later, Volcker's investigation finds Nair's "misuse of [Oil-for-Food] Program funds violated United Nations Staff Regulations."

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the Secretary-General's office, told Canada Free Press, "The issues raised [concerning Nair] in the Volcker report are different and separate from the issues raised by the Staff Council." The UN is considering reopening the initial investigation into Nair.

at minimum, it appears both investigations looked into Nair's alleged violations of UN Staff Regulations but arrived at different conclusions. Inquires for clarification and a confirmation as to whether or not Bertini has been questioned by Volcker's Oil-for-Food probe to Volcker's top investigator, Canada's Reid Morden, and Louise Fréchette's former boss have so far gone unanswered. Calls to Bertini's office were not returned as of press time.

The Canadian connections into Oil-for-Food continues to grow.

The latest Canadian added to the list is Canada's highest honour for lifetime achievement recipient Maurice Strong. Strong, honoured by the prestigious "Order of Canada"— in recognition for his outstanding achievement in the environment, resigned on april 21 as UN special envoy for Kofi annan. Strong's relationship with a "Korean businessman accused of wrongdoing in the UN Oil-for-Food scandal" prompted his UN exit. Maurice Strong who vows to clear his name is Prime Minister Martin's mentor. Canada's Louise Fréchette, Kofi annan's #2 served under Prime Minister Martin when Martin was the Minister of Finance. Today, Prime Minister Martin fights to hold onto office amid the revelations threatening to bring down his administration revealed in the ongoing Gomery hearings. Canada, the seventh largest contributor to the United Nations, will not investigate the Oil-for-Food Programme

Marinka Peschmann is a freelance writer whose first book collaboration, the best-selling The Kid Stays In The Picture; was made into a documentary. She's contributed to several books and stories ranging from showbiz and celebrities to true crime and politics.


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