The media better not let this one go. This scam makes Enron look like child's play. Annan, along with half the UN staff it seems, better resign over this. Chirac and Putin better have their feet held to the fire as well. Elements of the "international community of nations" were using Baghdad as their friggin' personal piggy bank. No wonder they didn't want us to go to war...it had nothing to do with morality and peace, and everything to do with MONEY.

I too hope that this investigation bears fruit, and that the perpetrators of this crime (the United States, France, China, Great Britain, and Russia) are brought to justice!

Chris, are you really Jade Gold in disguise? The US perpetrated the Oil-for-Food scam crime? Uh. How so? Saddam was paying off his friends and we weren't his friends. We ended the crime and dug up the evidence.

If there was abuse of the program, the US would have been complicit, in both the public and private sector, as were all members of the P-5, who were responsible for approving every contract in the oil-for-food program. The US and Britain even specifically asked to see every full contract before it was vetted.

They share responsibility for any potential abuse of the system, as do the contractors involved (which also came from all P-5 countries).

Richard Lugar:

"This corruption was not solely a product of Saddam Hussein's machinations," Lugar said. "He required members of the U.N. Security Council who were willing to be complicit in his actions, and he required U.N. officials and contractors who were dishonest, inattentive, or willing to make damaging compromises in pursuit of a compassionate mission."

I encourage the investigation of any corruption in this program, but the people attacking the countries that refused to join our "coalition of the willing" should take a long, hard look at our own responsibility in the program, and understand that the US will likely not emerge from an investigation with entirely clean hands.

I just pray that you weren't under the illusion that the Dick Lugar quote supported your assertion in any way, Chris.

Are you under the impression that US is not a member of the UN security council?

Ending the sanctions and the Oil for "Food" Program were two good reasons (of many) to invade Iraq and smash the Baath regime.

Chris, don't miss the larger point. It needs to be determined if just cause exists to say certain countries opposed the toppling of Saddam DIRECTLY because of the profits they we're reaping under this scam.

Chirac and Putin (it seems now, but the results are TBD) opposed our actions based not on any real moral opposition to war as they claimed, but due to the fact close friends and associates (and them?) were making crazy millions off Hussein's government. That is criminal. To stand by while millions of Iraqis are tortured, raped, murdered, gassed and imprisoned because you can make a few bucks by looking the other way is morally reprehensible.

How is the left going to spin this to blame Bush for the scam? I'm sure that is in the works at the DNC HQ right now.

For the record, if any US gov't official or US corporations bear any responsibility for this larceny, that should be hammered to the full extent of the law. Clean house over this, all over the globe.

My motive is justice...what's yours, Chris? It seems you are relishing an opportunity to blame America first, not that I'm surprised a lefty would do such a thing.