Iraq to file lawsuits in US over oil-for-food scam

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq said on Sunday it plans to file lawsuits against a group of companies and individuals in US courts over their alleged role in a United Nations oil-for-food scam under Saddam Hussein's regime.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Baghdad was taking this step to hold all those who benefited from the scam "accountable for their actions."

"The oil-for-food programme was subject to huge financial scandals by companies and others (who) conspired with Saddam Hussein to embezzle large sums of money through kickbacks, inflated prices and the supply of shoddy goods," he said in a statement.

Dabbagh did not name any companies or individuals against whom the legal action was planned, however.

The oil-for-food programme ran from 1996...