James Bone (left), UN Correspondent for The Times, explains the importance of today's report into alleged UN corruption over the Iraq Oil-for-Food programme

What is today's report about?

It is the much-awaited comprehensive report by the UN's own inquiry into corruption in its Oil-For-Food programme for Iraq. It is expected to reach almost 1,000 pages. The report has been drawn up by a panel led by Paul Volcker, the respected former chairman of the US Federal Reserve.

What was the Oil-for-Food programme?

It was set up by the UN Security Council to allow Iraq to sell limited quantities of oil in order to pay for imports of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies while the country was under UN sanctions. The proceeds from Iraq's permitted oil sales were put in a UN escrow account and used to finance imports into Iraq.

What evidence of corruption have the previous reports found?

The Volcker Commission has issued three previous reports focusing on Benon Sevan, the head of the Oil-For-Food programme; Kojo Annan, the son of the UN secretary-general; and Alexander Yakovlev, a longtime UN procurement official.

Mr Sevan, a Cypriot, was accused of taking about 160,000 dollars in cash for steering contracts to a company run by a cousin and a brother-in-law of the former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros Ghali. Mr Yakovlev, a Russian, quit the UN and has pleaded guilty to corruption charges brought by American prosecutors. Another UN official, Joseph Stephanides, from Cyprus has been summarily dismissed for helping a British firm win a border inspection contract - but he is appealing. Kojo Annan is expected to figure again in today's report.

Why has Kofi Annan been criticised?

The UN Secretary-General's role has been questioned for two reasons. Firstly, he was the chief administrative officer of the organisation for much of the time when the corruption and abuses occured. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, a UN contract was awarded to a Swiss firm called Cotecna that employed his son Kojo. The Volcker commission has been investigating whether the older Annan knew his son's company was trying to get UN business.

What image has emerged of the workings of the UN?

The Oil-For-Food scandal has gradually spread to envelop more and more of the UN as one investigation led to another. Last week the Russian head of the UN's budget oversight committee was arrested on money laundering charges in New York in a case that grew out of the Oil-for-Food inquiry. One problem is that UN officials are generally protected from prosecution by diplomatic immunity, unless the UN secretary-general waives it.

Will the scandal damage the UN?

It already has. The Oil-for-Food scandal has put a huge dent in the UN's much-vaunted credibility. UN members, particularly the United States, will no doubt be more reluctant to entrust the UN with similar tasks for the foreseeable future. Depending on what other details come to light, the scandal could eventually even threaten the UN's existence by alienating its leading member, the United States.

Will today's report draw a line under the matter?

No, it is not the final word. The Volcker Commission itself will issue another report next month on corruption by private companies trading under the Oil-For-Food system.

In addition, after a separate investigation US federal prosecutors have brought charges against a number of Oil-for-Food figures, including an Iraqi-American businessman and a South Korean lobbyist accused of trying to bribe UN officials.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Afghanistan News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Would you live on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall?
• Wish you were here, says Iraq tourist board
• Russian policeman’s corruption plea to Putin