Jordan and Bulgaria Investigate... Citizens in Saddam Bribes Scam

[papau]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA6086RZPD.html

Jordan and Bulgaria Investigate Alleged Involvement of Its Citizens in Saddam Bribes Scam

By Jamal Halaby Associated Press Writer

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Jordan and Bulgaria announced Wednesday they were 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 would ask his country's prosecutor-general to reopen an investigation on the involvement of Egyptians after 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. <snip>

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said the charge that his Socialist Party received money from Iraq was "ill-advised black humor," but he ordered an inquiry into the accusation, his office said Wednesday. <snip>