WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (AFP) - A preliminary report into the UN oil-for-food program contains grave charges against officials in charge of the monies, the US State Department said Friday, while recognizing that the final version could reach different conclusions.
"Clearly, what we have, as of today, are serious charges regarding the conduct of certain UN officials and recognition of the need for broader management reforms and increased transparency," said deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.
Ereli added, "It wouldn't be appropriate, I think, to make final conclusions until we finish our cooperation and those investigations are completed."
On Thursday, the independent commission, headed by former US Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, pointed a finger at the former director of the oil-for-food program, Benon Sevan, for trading in vouchers for Iraq oil, which under the program, was supposed to be sold only for food and medicines.
Two US Senate Republicans, Richard Lugar and Norm Coleman, hoped Thursday that the report would allow charges to be brought against those responsible.
Ereli also took note of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's acceptance of his responsibility for any wrongdoing on his watch.
"I think this is a clear statement of concern and commitment and responsibility on the part of the leadership of the United Nations.
"And we note that and we welcome that," Ereli said.
Annan on Friday vowed to clear the name of the United Nations.
"We are as determined as everyone to get to the bottom of this. We do not want this shadow to hang over the UN," Annan said at the world body's headquarters in New York.
"We intend to take action promptly," he said.
The interim report found Sevan obtained allocations of oil from Saddam Hussein's regime.
It said Baghdad was trying to buy influence with Sevan, hoping he could make it easier for the regime to get hold of spare parts to help rebuild its oil industry, which was shattered by the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
The report stopped short of saying he had taken bribes or committed a crime but Volcker cautioned that the investigation would continue.
Sevan has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers said the report was an attempt to scapegoat the veteran UN official.
02/04/2005 20:59 GMT - AFP