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Contributions from
the Column
Monitor
Sudan: fragmented and neglected
IMF: US pushes for refom of voting rights
Good grades for German Technical Cooperation
10th Bremen Solidarity Prize
World Press Photo 2005
Wolfowitz’ difficulties at the World Bank
US administration modifies development approach
UN peacekeepers accused of corruption
Cooperative without Borders treads new paths
Afghanistan: new support and old criticism
03/2006
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[ Peacekeeping procurement ]
New corruption scandal shakes the UN
After the scandal relating to the Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq, the United Nations now finds itself facing another serious corruption case. According to an internal UN investigation, there was considerable waste and corruption related to the procurement of materials for several peacekeeping missions. International media have reported that a draft document of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) estimates the financial damages at up to $300 million, almost a third of all procurement spending under OIOS investigation.
According to the Washington Post, one case mentioned is about East Timor, where UN peacekeepers hired a helicopter for over $10 million, even though they had been offered another model for $1.6 million. Allegedly, fuel to the tune of $65 million was bought for missions in Southern Sudan and Haiti – without ever being used.
According to Christopher Burnham, UN Under Secretary General for Management, the OIOS report concludes that control mechanisms either did not exist or were ignored. Burnham, who was transferred from the US administration to the world body just last year, considers the disclosure proof of the internal UN fight against corruption succeeding. John Bolton, US ambassador at the United Nations, on the other hand, called the case “very disturbing”. In his view, it proves the necessity of the far-reaching reforms the USA has been demanding for some time. (ell)
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