Jan 28, 12:11 PM EST
Jordan Investigating Alleged Saddam Scam
By JAMAL HALABY
Associated Press Writer
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) -- Jordan's government announced Wednesday it is investigating allegations prominent citizens were involved in a scam involving illicit sales of Iraqi oil in exchange for political support of Saddam Hussein while he was Iraq's leader.
And in Egypt, activist Mamdouh el-Sheik said he will ask his country's prosecutor-general to reopen an investigation on the involvement of Egyptians following reports about alleged kickbacks.
An Iraqi newspaper, one of dozens of new dailies that have begun publishing in that country since Saddam's ouster last April, reported the alleged bribes this week. Members of the new provisional Iraqi government and opponents of Saddam have since distributed a list of the accused, based on documents from the Iraqi Oil Ministry.
About 270 former Cabinet officials, legislators, political activists and journalists from more than 46 countries are on the list, suspected of profiting from Iraqi oil sales that Saddam allegedly offered them in exchange for cultivating political and popular support in their countries.
The list gives the names of 14 Amman-based firms and Jordanian citizens, including former government officials and legislators.
"The issue is under follow-up, and we are seeking to verify if some people have acquired (Iraqi) graft," Mohammad al-Halaiqa, a deputy prime minister and minister of trade and industry, told Jordan's parliament in response to an inquiry by deputy Saad Hayel Srour on the alleged bribes. Srour demanded an immediate government investigation.
Al-Halaiqa said the Cabinet discussed the alleged Jordanian involvement in the Iraqi bribes at a meeting late Tuesday. Finance Minister Mohammad Abu-Hammore "was given clear instructions to follow up on this issue and collect any dues to the Treasury," he added.
The Baghdad list gives 11 names of Egyptian companies and Egyptians, including the son of a former Egyptian president, businessmen, members of parliament and journalists.
Egyptian activist Mamdouh el-Sheik filed suit in May 2003 against several Egyptian politicians and journalists, accusing them of accepting bribes from Saddam, saying it violates Egyptian laws bans lobbying for foreign countries.
"This list will certainly back the charges against these people, who have violated our laws. I hope that the prosecutor-general will allow the case to proceed," el-Sheik told AP in Cairo.
One of the Jordanians accused, former parliament member Toujan Faisal, denied to The Associated Press on Tuesday that she accepted bribes or participated in illicit deals. She said, however, that she had served as an intermediary between the Iraqi government and an Amman-based oil dealer.
The U.N. oil-for-food program, which had allowed the Saddam regime to sell limited quantities of oil to raise funds to help the Iraqi population, ended three months ago.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
